DNC: Billboard denied.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/12/your_billboard.php

Posted by Tim Tagaris on December 1, 2005 at 05:21 PM
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We wanted to surprise you. Responding to feedback, we began making moves to place the Jean Schmidt billboard in Cincinnati as well as Portsmouth, Ohio. The contract with Lamar Advertising was signed, they had the artwork for 48+ hours, and then we received a phone call this morning. Actually two phone calls...

The first was from the Cincinnati district office of Lamar Advertising. They representative said, "I don't like negative ads." And with that, there was no Cincinnati billboard. But then 30 minutes later, we received a call from the Huntington, West Virginia office (for the Portsmouth ad) and they too would not be running the ad because it was negative.

More coming within the hour...

Edit to include the billboard layout:

This really sucks.

...more than half of the American people.

NGU.

I used to work at their corporate office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They are nothing more the rich elitist scum. I got a ton of stories, but I will basically just wanted to let you guys know that they probably won't be a chance of getting a billboard with them. The republican machine allows them to be rich and powerful.. and they borderline hold a monopoly on outdoor advertising.

What did the billboard say?

Or does her body produce it naturally as a byproduct of all that bile?

in a very tight pony-tail. It's a cheap face-lift but it makes her look pretty scary and tighter than a drum. I bet if she lets her hair down she looks like a Sharpei.

What's next?

Lamar Advertising Company

5551 Corporate Boulevard, Suite 2-A
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
General Information: Theresa Doran (EMail: tdoran@lamarhq.com )

Mailing Address
P. O. Box 66338
Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Corporate Phone Number
(225) 926-1000

Corporate Fax Numbers
(225) 926-1005 Executive
(225) 923-0658 Accounting
(225) 928-3400 Legal
(225) 926-1192 Human Resources
(225) 927-1287 Real Estate & Antenna

Lamar Divisions

Lamar Outdoor Advertising
For Sales Info, contact: Tiffany Wall
Phone: 1-800-23-LAMAR
Fax: (225) 928-1034
For a list of local offices, click here.
Lamar Transit Advertising
General Info: Shannon Perry
Phone: (225) 926-1000
Fax: (225) 928-3330
For a list of local offices, click here.

Interstate Logos
Contact: Juanita Corts
Phone: 1-800-468-7805
Fax: (225) 928-3330
For a list of offices, click here.
Lamar Graphics
Contact: Rachel Tempanaro, Gen. Manager
Phone: (800)952-3113
Fax: (225)923-3147
For a company directory, click here.

Complain to companies that advertise on their billboards. Tell them you don't patronize companies that support suppressors of American values such as free speech.

Business bullies and government are a dangerous mix.

A corporation determines the messages it will display for hire. Or not.

Freedom Fries for all. :(

but not the only game in town. Since I am pretty much the decision maker for how my business advertises, I think I might just let Lamar know where they won't be getting any advertising dollars from if they don't reverse this decision. If the DNC's money isn't good enough for them, neither is mine. Money talks.

...the bottom line!

That's what it takes. :)

Clear Channel owns a large number of billboards all over the country.

Lots of those are pretty negative if you're Phillip Morris.

And boy, some of them aren't just negative, they're boarderline overt the line on being disgusting or distracting for drivers.

several years ago, Clear Channel went around Ohio buying up outdoor advertising companies.

DFA should check to see if Virgil was bought by Clear Channel. If not, its highly likely they got a phone call telling them to kill the campaign.

R's control nearly everything in this state.

you have to control every venue..

Radio---check....
tv---check...
magazines---check....
outdoor advertising---check

Once your opponent is blocked from getting HIS points out there into the public view, you are free to "report" on anything you like on ALL your venues, by many voices. The public, hearing no opposition can only come to one decision.. What you say "must" be true.

They cancelled the contract. They had the layout for 48 hours. Two days they had the artwork.

They signed a contract and thus agreed to do the billboard. If it was oh so offensive like they claim they wouldn't have even talked to the DNC about it. Do they think we're that dumb?

If they signed and failed to fulfill their obligations, they're in breach of contract (unless there was an applicable escape clause).

If they're in breach, sue 'em.

to protect Republicans and BushCo.

All are owned by Richard Mellon Scaife. We all KNOW how open-minded he is. :sarcasm:

More from Tim T.

"Immediately, we dug into FEC reports to find out what relationship this advertising group's directors had with the Republican Party (a la Clear Channel). I didn't find much, until I saw they actually had a Political Action Committee What in the world was this little company doing with a PAC? The answer? Giving money to Republicans.

To be sure, they have given money to Democrats as well, but only at around a 34% clip during the 2004 election cycle, and only slightly higher between 1998 and 2006. Recipients of their lagresse include: Mike DeWine, Rick Santorum, Jim Talent, and Bob Ney.

Political persuasion withstanding, Lamar Advertising should not have pulled these ads. They are not filled with lies, they aren't even misleading. We want to get the billboards up, seven-thousand individuals contributed financially to get them up, and tens of thousands of Americans wrote letters in support of Congressman John Murtha after Jean Schmidt continued the pattern of serial Republican attacks on decorated veterans."

3000 employees and more than 3/4 billion in sales last year. Does that qualify as little?

Ok?

It was just a comment. And a question.

.

because censorship pisses me off.

:kick:

You might want to post it again in the thread. People only read subject lines.

to need another post.

I was a reporter for 12 years (and miss it, but find it difficult to raise a child and work those God-forsaken hours) and nothing pisses me off more than being stiffled.

Thanks for starting this thread and letting us know.

I'm tired of being told to shut up! :mad:

What the Dems need to do is play politics like Republicans. They can start by creating a little "Santa's list" of these companies- and ensuring that there's payback for crap like this.

Democrats refuse to fight fire with fire. Thats why I love Howard Dean...at least he's not afraid to call them Crooks.

That's telling the truth. Good grief.

Good old Bush loving ClearChannel.

Screen cap from that TV channel...the one where she looks just like the Wicked Witch of the west saying : "I'll get you my little pretty"

Find someone who loves the truth, owns on private property on a major freeway, and put the sign up there. It's not hard or expensive to put up something visible enough to get the message across.

Or however that went?

What I'm trying to say is "Hey gang, lets have a bunch of these made up and put them on the overpasses!"

What do you say!!

:thumbsup:

Revolutionary thoughts won't be paid for. . .the revolution won't be televised either.

For Clarksanity in 2008.

:hi: LittleClarkie

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/lamar

Seriously, a big fat lawsuit will change their minds.

Sue for say, ONE BILLION DOLLARS!

what we think? I mean, they don't like "negative ads" but the GOP propaganda is okay...and the swiftboating of Vets is okay?

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/lamar

Send a Message to Lamar Advertising

Click here to read the full letter to Lamar Advertising (PDF document)



http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/pdfs/20051201_lamar_letter.pdf

Sign the Letter

Today, at around 10 AM, the DNC got two phone calls -- the first came from Lamar Advertising's Cincinnati office, who informed us they would not be providing a quote for buying billboard space based on the content of the "Shame on Jean Schmidt" billboard. A second call came minutes later from Lamar's Huntington, West Virginia office. Their manager informed us that he too was rejecting the ad. This rejection came more than 24 hours after the DNC had signed a contract with Lamar and 48 hours after they had accepted the artwork for the billboards you helped pay to put up.

By rejecting these billboards, Lamar has limited your right to be heard. They've stood up to silence millions of Democrats who believe that attacking veterans for political gain is disgusting, and they think they can get away with it because they own nearly every billboard in the district.

Tell Lemar to let us know immediately whether they intend to honor its contract -- and if not, why. Fairness and the public interest demand no less.
Add your name...

Email: *
First Name: *
Last Name: *
Zip Code *

Thank You

Thanks for signing the letter to Lamar Advertising. We'll print out and send all the signatures to their main office so they know just how many Democrats they're silencing.

Keep checking your email box and Democrats.org for regular updates as this unfolds.

If you'd like, you can write a letter to the editor of your local paper speaking out about Lamar, Jean Schmidt, Iraq, or anything else here: http://www.democrats.org/lte.

Again, be sure to keep watching our blog, Kicking Ass, for updates as this unfolds.

I feel that a Jean Schmidt billboard is appropriate. If you do not allow a billboard that is paid for about Jean Schmidt to be honored then you are blocking a freedom of speech. I wonder what your supporters would think of this? I think I will just contact the companies that advertise on your billboards myself and see how they feel. Just maybe I will tell them that I will no longer use their products if they support your stance.

Signed America

Go sign.

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/lamar

Mr. Kevin P. Reilly, Jr.
Chairman & CEO
Lamar Advertising Co.
5551 Corporate Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Dear Mr. Reilly:
We are writing on behalf of the Democratic National Committee to demand that
Lamar honor a contract its Huntington, West Virginia office entered with the DNC for
placement of two billboard advertisements in Portsmouth, Ohio. These advertisements
accurately referred to a statement made by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) on the floor
of the U.S. House of Representatives attacking a respected Member of Congress and
decorated war veteran. The advertisements were aimed at informing her constituents
about this statement, and called on Rep. Schmidt to cease such attacks.

The DNC was told by your Huntington regional manager that Lamar is refusing to
honor the contract because the advertisements are “too negative.” In addition to refusing
to honor the contract for the Portsmouth billboards, Lamar, through its Cincinnati office,
refused to accept the same advertisement for placement on billboards in Cincinnati.
While Lamar’s form contract reserves to the company the right to refuse to run a
billboard advertisement, Lamar’s conduct in this instance raises serious questions about
whether the company is unlawfully or improperly using corporate resources to favor or
benefit the Republican Party or Rep. Schmidt. Your regional manager was unable to cite
any company policy providing any objective standards or criteria for rejecting political or
advocacy advertising.

Rep. Schmidt’s constituents are entitled to know what she is saying on the floor of
the U.S. House and the DNC has a right to tell them. Lamar should either offer a credible
reason for its efforts to censor the Democratic Party or else should live up to its
contractual obligation and let the DNC put up its billboard and let the people of Rep.
Schmidt’s district hear the truth.

Please let us know immediately whether Lamar intends to honor its contract—and
if not, why. Fairness and the public interest demand no less.

Sincerely,
Joseph Sandler, General Counsel, Democratic National Committee
Amanda LaForge, Chief Counsel Democratic National Committee

There's this billboard that's been bugging me here in Austin.
Just recently it was changed to read, "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving". But before that it read, "ConocoPhillips is no friend of The 2nd Amendment."

Not sure who the owner of this billboard is, but that kinda looks like the Lamar logo at the top of the board:



On the other hand, Lamar did make the NRA's "Anti-Gun Corporations/Corporate Heads" list, so....:shrug:

photo of a french poodle in hunting gear with the caption:
'this dog dn't hunt."

it ran just before the election

here's the url for the portmouth daily times in schmidt's district. they even have a handy form for sending a LTTE

http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/shared-content/perform/?domain_name=portsmouth-dailytimes.com&form_template=letters

They can't cost that much, can they?

Can't force the current owners to sell and then you'd have to break the lease for them.

Many communities like here in Las Vegas (surprising, I know) have new regs in place the limit the number and size and locations of all signs, and prohibit any NEW Signs - that makes the grandfathered ones EXTREMELY valuable.

So you have laws the PROHIBIT any new signs.

So you have a SINGLE company that owns ALL the existing signs or their leases.

Hmmmmmm.

the let glenn beck advertise all over town when he brought his jingoisti rally for america finale to town back in 2003

Swift Boaters and Supreme Court and anything else that comes down the pike. They're so obviously slanted - no matter who does them. I used to contribute to putting on the MoveOn ads, but anymore, I'm just sick of it all - recognize the voice overs right away and I don't even listen. They need to make some positive ads.

It wouldn't be long before they started singing the praises of the First Amendment.

It would be cheaper, and you would not be making the bastards richer.

Someone should try Norton Outdoor. They have just as many bulletins in Cincinnati, many on major highways, and are a one-town, family-owned operation. They may not take the ad either - outdoor companies are very content sensitive. The DNC could call the owner, Tom Norton, at 513-631-4864. The worst that could happen is that he'll say no too.

...let's just inundate them with calls, e-mails and faxes and at the very least give 'em a bad day.

That if there was a billboard with an aborted fetus with a "pro-life" message, this company would have NO PROBLEM displaying it.

In the past?

perhaps putting up the name and picture of your opponent, esp. a Congressional incumbent, considering that Representatives thrive on name recognition, might not be the best idea.

They suggested that we might not want people wandering into their polling place, seeing her name and saying "Oh, I've heard of her" and then voting for her for that reason.

Thoughts?

This is a terrific example of the incestuous relationship between corporations and the state.


One company by and large owns the advertising space and the government makes damn sure they have the right to accept or reject advertising without regard to silencing free speech. Anything critical of the incumbent R's wont' get displayed.

Mr. Reilly,

Why is Lamar Advertising Company censoring the Jean Schmidt billboard? Are you a business or are you on the payroll of the White House/Republican Party?

Seriously, I want to know the reasoning behind the decision to renege on your contract with the DNC. I am sick and tired of seeing stories like this, where people’s points of view are muzzled. Please tell me, what the hell was your company thinking? And by the way, “too negative” is not an explanation. It is a cowardly excuse to wiggle out of a contract that your company thinks will offend the Republican Party.

When you intend to stifle the opinion of others, at least have the decency to be honest about the reason.

* * * * *

Here is a link to the company email addresses if you would like to send them your thoughts on this matter:

http://www.lamaroutdoor.com/main/about/

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

I wanted to let them know my Son is in Iraq supposedly fighting for Democracy, the same Democracy we practice here at home and what they were doing was censorship, pure and simple. I said, be fair and let the republicans have their billboards, but to censor is not right and my Son is not going to die for the likes of that....

WELL SAID!!!

legislature, but while I cannot find anything that says whether he was republican or democrat, it seems he leaned more to the left, which doesnt make a lot of sense.
However, running through the list of execs, others, like Edward Stewart, show he's spent time on Republican campaigns, though as an assistant to a Democratic senator.

Though they seem a bit too high up to have put it down, but the regional directors dont have much information on them, particularly the one for the NorthEast region, who has been with the company even before graduating from college.

That gives us some leverage. They have to "maximize shareholder value." All the mutual fund companies that own their shares wouldn't be happy with them if they aren't maximizing shareholder value. "Sinclair" these SOBs.

Is the same as Larmar donating that amount of money to Jean Schmidt. This should be reported to the Campaign Finance people. Doesn't it exceed the amount an individual company can donate to an individual candidate?