Christian E-commerce Site, iChristian.com, Claims CBS Advertising Policy Restrictive.Business Editors, Legal Writers PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2000 CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. is not allowing religious product advertising to run on the network during the upcoming JESUS mini-series, alleges iChristian.com, the largest Christian product retailer on the web. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Chris Williams, iChristian.com was told by CBS that they could not run commercials during the upcoming airing of the mini-series, JESUS, because of a concern over a CBS policy that states commercials that are too closely related to the content of a program would turn that program into an extended commercial, thereby "proselytizing" the programming. After speaking with CBS spokesperson, Dana McClintock, Williams expressed his concern, "It's either discrimination or a poor business decision. Why do we suspect discrimination? Because this is inconsistent with normal advertising practices within the entertainment industry. It is the normal practice of entertainment companies to sell the profile of their viewing audience to advertisers who are interested in that profile. For example, does anyone think that Home Depot The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. Headquartered in Vinings, just outside Atlanta in unincorporated Cobb County, Georgia, Home Depot employs more than 355,000 people and operates 2,164 big-box can't advertise on home improvement programming or women's e-commerce sites on romance and classic programming? It is a standard practice in Hollywood for companies to pay for product placement within entertainment shows." Williams, who has a background in the entertainment industry with such companies as Polygram and Walt Disney Noun 1. Walt Disney - United States film maker who pioneered animated cartoons and created such characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; founded Disneyland (1901-1966) Disney, Walter Elias Disney , continued, "If it's not discrimination, it is a poor business decision for three reasons. First, why would you decrease the number of advertisers who can pay for a TV spot? Second, why are CBS executives unaware of the sensitivity that large affinity groups A special interest group. This is a marketing term for a group of people with similar interests. like Christians have to these issues? Third, why are CBS executives unable to tell the difference between a Billy Graham Noun 1. Billy Graham - United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918) Graham, William Franklin Graham TV spot and a retailer who sells books and music? iChristian.com is selling merchandise that is Christian-oriented -- we are just like any other for-profit advertiser." "We are just trying to help Hollywood executives understand the sensitivities that mainstream Americans have when religious communications are singled-out versus any other type of communication." |
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