This paragraph is GOSPEL (re: Sinclair)

[troublemaker]

This is the big-picture right answer and we should treat this paragraph as gospel.

Here's how to have an impact on the local Sinclair stations: first, watch the station and make a list of all of the local advertisers. Then, write to the sales manager -- not the general manager, but the sales manager -- and tell him that you're going to contact all of the local advertisers to register a protest about the station airing this program. Be specific -- mention the names of those local advertisers. Then, actually contact them (if you write or email, cc the sales manager). These stations make most of their income (around 60%) from local advertisers and will NOT want to have that income threatened.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Added: This part below is not gospel, but it's one man's idea of a letter to a local advertiser. (Critique encouraged):

It has come to my attention that <company or business name> currently advertises on <TV station>.

As you may be aware, <TV Station>’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, has ordered <TV Station> to air a political program entitled STOLEN HONOR in prime time before our upcoming elections. This is not paid political advertising. This is a gratis airing of a TV program produced by political partisans for the sole and express purpose of slandering a particular presidential candidate and besmirching his sterling service record as a decorated US combat veteran.

I realize that you do not make programming decisions for Sinclair Broadcasting, but you are nonetheless a tacit supporter of a distinctly un-American abuse of the public trust that we, the people, have extended all broadcasters. As such, you will be subjected to considerable negative publicity and will be targeted by national and local boycotts.

<company or business name> may be individually blameless, but Sinclair Broadcasting Group's political abuse of our public airwaves cannot be defended and the net of public outrage will ensnare large and small fishes alike. I will be joining in all boycotts against local advertisers on all Sinclair Broadcasting outlets, including a boycott of <company or business name>. I will also be encouraging every person I know to join in the boycott and will be distributing calls for a boycott of <company or business name> through flyers, letters and internet postings.

Respectfully,

[rkc3]

1. Kick.

[havocmom]

2. Excellant post!

Yeah, letting the sales managers know how busted the stations are gonna be will be much more effective than hollaring at station managers.

Thanks for the post. We need to keep this kicked.

:kick:

[goodboy]

3. is there a list somewhere of some of the big sinclair advertisers?

If it could be stickied at the top of GD2004, or...the front page of DU, we can bombard them with emails.

[flpoljunkie]

7. Talkingpointsmemo link to Sinclair Broadcast Group advertisers...

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/default.aspx

[troublemaker]

10. TPM lnk taken down - not working yet. (keep checking)

[flpoljunkie]

12. Link works for me.

[troublemaker]

13. That's great. Can you please post working link here? Thanks

[yodermon]

14. Can you post the IP address for this site?

go to a dos prompt and type "ping www.boycottsbg.com" and you'll see the IP address. The link does not work for me, 12:34pm EDT.
thx

[troublemaker]

16. http://www.boycottsbg.com/ works, but not the advertiser database link

which is what I was referring to. The link in the stickied DU Sinclair thread also doesn't work. Hopefuly it will go online soon.

[troublemaker]

9. It's small advertisers that matter. LOCAL advertisers

The national advertisers are advertising on ABC or CBS or WB, not Sinclair. The LOCAL ads are what goes right to the comapny, and the local advertisers are small and easily swayed.

[zinsky]

4. BINGO!

Hit 'em in their wallets. That is the only language these vermin understand.

[madrchsod]

5. also ask the local advertisers

if sinclair is rebating them for lost ad revenue.

[Triana]

6. slam the bastards where it hurts...their testicles are...

...the bottom line. Kick there.

[MatrixEscape]

8. Good ...

I would also suggest makning the endorsement connection.

In other words, stating that you feel that advertisers will, in effect, be endorsing and supporting a political party or candidate in your mind. This will change your perception of the company, service, or product.

If you connect your money or patronage to a politcal perception, that is going to be a big incentive to them to consider the potential damage it will do.

[troublemaker]

11. Remeber, this has NOTHING to do with advertising on the program itself

This is about ALL advertising on an affiliate station. (The program will be run without ads)

[RedEarth]

15. I was just getting ready to post this.....let's keep this kicked.......and

let's nominate this for front page...or even better ..stuck at the top of the page.....