We’re not sure whether to laugh at or be concerned for Boston which got quite angry with Turner Broadcasting’s for its ten city publicity stunt which, over the past two weeks, placed circuit board-like devices throughout each city, including Boston, to promote the the company’s Cartoon Network Adult Swim Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Wednesday, all hell broke loose in the city of Boston when a commuter noticed one of the devices under a highway overpass above Sullivan Sqaure Station in Charlestown.
Bomb squads were called. Subways were shut down. Traffic was diverted. Newly seated Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said, “It’s a hoax and it’s not funny.” Boston Mayor Thomas Menino threatened legal action. All because a few promotional items were placed around the city.
Boston police have arrested Sean Stevens of Charlestown, MA and Peter Berdvosky, an Arlington, MA artist who told the Boston Globe he worked with New York-based marketing firm Interference Inc. to install the devices. A press conference has been scheduled for 9PM Wednesday night. Turner Broadcasting has issued a statement explaining their actions. There’s a YouTube video that shows the neon-looking devices being installed at night.
Steve Dunlevey of Boston’s Regan Communications thinks Turner should fly the president or Turner Broadcasting to Boston to personally apologize to Mayor Menino, to perhaps pay for expenses the city incurred removing the devices and to offer something to Boston residents for the inconvenience it caused. A Boston Globe editorial lambastes Turner for its stunt. And on and on and on and on.
Nary a peep was heard from the other nine cities that were part of the campaign.
UPDATE: Supporters of the two arrested men rallyed to their defense Thursday morning. The young and connected say the old and uninformed caused this to spiral out of control. The Boston Globe has full coverage of the event here.
UPDATE II: Check out the ongoing conversation in the Adrants Forum.
