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In a Media Matters for America article about an internal ABC Radio Networks memo, it appears that nearly 100 ABC advertisers insisted that their commercials be blacked out on Air America Radio affiliates. According to the article, which is gaining attention in the press, advertisers listed on the memo include Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Federal Express, General Electric, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and the U.S. Navy.
While this kind of memo isn’t new, ABC has felt it necessary to explain, providing Media Matters with a statement noting that, “It is not uncommon for advertisers and/or agencies to request that their ads run or not run in specific programming environments or dayparts. ABC Radio Networks does not solicit nor encourage these requests from advertisers.”
At least one advertiser has distanced itself from the memo. Media Matters reports that a reader-forwarded statement from outdoor retailer REI states that “The memo posted on the internet is not correct. REI has not refused to advertise during Air America’s programming. In fact, REI has placed radio ads on stations carrying Air America programming. It is unfortunate that this misinformation has been widely distributed. We are currently working with our advertising agency and the ABC radio network to track down how this happened.”
View the ABC memo here.
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