News from the 19th Century: Pittsburgh TV stations are refusing to air an ad for Trojan condoms. Seems that the ad reminds all of us that people have sex. Those same stations are implementing a "breast blackout" for Steelers broadcasts next Fall; images of sideline cheerleaders come that across the network feed will be intercepted and blacked out to protect the delicate sensitivities of local residents. Also, Comcast has announced that MTV will no longer be available in Pittsburgh.
Two of those sentences are not-so-funny jokes.
In other sin-related news, the state legislature has decided that local blue noses may continue to inhale clouds of blue smoke in public places as well as private ones.
What does Pittsburgh think it is? Seattle? When pigs fly!
Here's the offending Trojan ad:
[Post title inspired by this.]
6 comments:
Way to go, TV execs, thanks for deciding what's best for us! I don't know what makes them think it isn't "approriate" for this market. I bet if they did a survey of their viewers, the majority would say go ahead and air the ad.
Considering Pittsburgh just hosted Anthrocon, "the world's largest furry convention", I would think Pittsburghers would be receptive to an advertisement featuring anthropomorphic animals.
Wow, I wonder why people in places like New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, etc wouldn't want to move here. I mean, the people are so open-minded and welcoming of 19th century morals and ideals.
Well, to be fair, this isn't about Pittsburghers' notions of morality, but rather the perceptions of those notions by skittish TV executives in a highly competitive market. Believe me when I tell you that there can be a huge gulf between what a media organization thinks it knows about its audience, and what it actually knows.
Sent a nasty e-mail to folks at all 3 stations and I mentioned how backwards they made Pittsburgh. Additionally I mentioned that they seem to have no problem running ads for erection pills and will running any political ad etc.
One did write back to explain that it was the product, but merely the particular pig thing and that do run condom ads.
Fine ok, but why does this cross a line, but the political bullshit like the Swift Boat Liars for Karl Rove don’t? Talk about pigs...
Jet, you can't assume that a few TV execs represent "the people." They are just a few individuals who happen to have influence over this decisison.
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