Entry 6: In Which Things Become A Bit Clearer (or should that be "More Clear"?)

I've been monstrously busy all day, and so have not had a chance to get all of the facts straight on the whole viral marketing thingy yesterday. I haven't yet seen the press conference people are talking about or read much about the "culprits". But here are my thoughts on what I know so far.

First, now that I actually get it, I think the idea behind this campaign is pretty cool. Put up little L.E.D. outlines of this cartoon character in random places, see if people notice them. And for people who did notice them in innocuous places, it must have been neat, especially if they were familiar with the character. (Which I'm not, excuse me for being lame and old.)

But the placement of the things on girders up under a bridge near a subway station represents some majorly questionable judgement, in my opinion. I don't think it's an overreaction to be a little freaked by something like that, especially since it was apparently hard to tell that the lights were shaped like anything in the daylight.

So what should happen to these guys? Really cool idea, poor excecution. Should they/Turner be responsible for the costs involved in tying up the police, fire department, etc. for all those hours? I'm thinking yes on that one. Should there be additional penalties, such as jail time or lawsuits? I'm thinking no. Not necessary. They evidently weren't trying to freak people out, and it wasn't really a "hoax" as the media keeps calling it. Just a really dumb mistake.

I'd love to ramble on some more about this, but I'm still monstrously busy, and my thesis is due in, let's see here...... 71 days. Yipe!