Friday, January 20, 2012
Guv'ment New Coke-bankrolled video touts mayor in grand fashion
Posted by Scott Henry @ScottTheHenry on Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 5:42 PM
The tone of the script and the sky-high production values would be in keeping with a tourism video produced by a convention and visitors bureau, but instead of touting a city, per se, the video touts the mayor specifically. I guess these Chamber events have always featured a video checking off the current mayor's accomplishments. It's not that I take issue with any of the facts cited in the piece, but I suspect that one reason this video seems weirdly over-the-top to me is that I'm reacting to its slickness.
"The mayor was ecstatic with the final product," Reed spokesman Reese McCranie tells me. Yeah, I can understand why. The whole thing is basically a cinematic reach-around. I wouldn't mind one of those myself.
Speaking of product, what lengths did the Coke people go to make sure there was a familiar red-and-white can visible on the mayor's desk? "That wasn't a product placement," McCranie says. "The mayor drinks Coke all day."
No wonder the company loves him.
Now, I also hinted yesterday that Monica Pearson's voice-over on the video could be construed as a journalistic conflict of interest. While it's common for TV news personalities to lend their talents to non-profit causes such as charity auctions and fund-raising videos — even at the request of corporate sponsors — it's considered a no-no for them to take part in any public act designed to benefit a politician. Typically, that goes for anchors, too. Thoughts?
UPDATE, 6:13 p.m. by Thomas: Pearson responded to my tweet about Scott's post:
@thomaswheatley The station had to approve me doing it, so they don't see it as a conflict.
— Monica Pearson (@MonicaWSB) January 20, 2012
Comments (5)
Showing 1-5 of 5
Dear Lord...it wasn't a state of the City it was a Kasim Reed Campaign Video, the Hip Hop Theme music the "he has done this, he has done that..." and what the hell? Home Depot isn't even in Atlanta, it's in Cobb County and Peter Aman is the one who rubber stamped his two custom painted bling bling Yukon Denali's
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I kinda feel like Paula Deen. My blood sugar level is going through the roof with all the sugar coating!
They are misleading regarding the TSplost. (its mostly roads yet all they show is pictures of transit and bike trails). Thus I'm forced to conclude other stuff presents a slanted picture.
So other than a captive crowd at a free breakfast who watches this stuff?
BTW I thought Porche NA was in Hapeville and Sandy Springs not Atlanta.
I'm really confused why an anchor would do this. I'm confused why coke would pay for it. It's just so ... odd.
Yup, I'm sure he always has Dasani water and Coke with him.
'I knew Marion Berry, Marion Berry was a friend of mine, and Mayor you're no Marion Berry'
Any bets that Ceaser Mitchell be the next Atlanta pol to start drinking large quantities of Coca Cola products?
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