Results In on Clear Channel's "The Breast Christmas Ever"

Did you believe Clear Channel brass on the alibi that they?

1 - Did not know a thing on the contest

22.31%

2 - Knew well in advance about the contest

33.85%

3 - Just hoped it would not get caught

43.85%

The brouhaha was not so much the contest, but the response from Clear Channel's Brass at the San Antonio HQ.

A contest awarding breast implants to women contestants ran on four stations, including WKQI-FM Detroit, WFKS-FM Jacksonville, KSLZ-FM St. Louis and WFLZ-FM Tampa. The National Organization for Women has been leading a campaign protesting the contests. NOW was said to encourage an email campaign directed at both CCU CEO Mark Mays and the FCC. According to reports, Clear Channel HQ disavowed any knowledge of the contest, saying such decisions are made by local programmers. (1/5/05 RBR #3)

TVBR Observation:
It seemed at first that the local decision alibi was a little weak, with such a distinctively entitled contest showing up in four very different, geographically diverse cities. But we learned that the stations all carry the same morning show, which explained that situation. So, while the contest didn't originate in San Antonio, it wasn't entirely local operation, either. For sure, though, no one at CCU's HQ was taking responsibility for what was airing on stations they owned. Instead of Accountability, it seems they were looking for Disavowability.

We had executives reporting that talk radio hosts were discussing this issue on stations across the country. A number in San Francisco reported they heard it discussed on the The Ronn Owens Show who had Executive Director from NOW on the air with Owens asking if they (NOW) really were putting a claim against the FCC. The NOW representative said that she had never mentioned bringing it up to the FCC.

In a nutshell: Over all, the email replies received from media executives in all areas of the media business were the about the same:

The fact Clear Channel ran the contest in four areas (although you knew it already) made people suspicious of the claim that top brass was really out of the loop.

From many people's personal view, the promotion was not professional lacked concern for family values: One reader stated she has two little girls and found the promotion was in very bad taste, though not illegal. Further pointing out that it seems as if Americans are willing to listen, watch - - and therefore stations get advertising dollars for such actions. It makes it difficult to dissuade people. And again people have a choice either listen, view and participate or turn it off - - or don't watch or listen to those programs and thus demonstrate your refusal to support them and their advertisers.

The key issue was and is Clear Channel's disavowal of any knowledge at the corporate level, when the entire business knows nothing gets past the CEO chair at Clear Channel. That has been proven over the past twelve months with testimony on Capital Hill, firing Bubba, dropping Stern. The poll results demonstrate that many don't believe the infamous liner Sgt. Schultz from the TV show of Hogan's Hero's - "I Know NOTHING!"

Thanks for voting.