Clear Channel Outdoor have proven to be tremendously cowardly.
When scientology first began putting pressure on them, they contacted Phil Jones and said that they recommended the Aftermath Foundation billboard be moved to another location.
The Foundation sent a letter to CCO asking them for the reasoning and explaining why a different location would not work unless it was visible from one of the scientology buildings. The letter also noted that there was absolutely nothing controversial about the message on the billboard.
They didn’t respond.
36 hours later the billboard was torn down.
The Foundation was expecting to hear from them, with some sort of explanation or apology — no matter how lame.
Today, demonstrating just how owned by scientology they are, they sent a refund check. Just a check in an envelope. No note. No letter. No phone call. No nothing.
The ability of scientology in this day and age to intimidate weak people with their hollow threats still surprises me.
Clear Channel Outdoor boasts on their website:
Each month, our inventory reaches over 122MM people on U.S. roadways. With a network of 70K+ billboard displays and other advertising opportunities in 29 roadside markets and over 55 commercial airports nationwide, we have you covered.
Were I in their position, I would have responded to scientology along these lines.
“We don’t take kindly to threats. And we really don’t like bullies. We own 70,000 plus billboards. At any given time, a few hundred are empty, waiting for their next billboard to be placed. We can put a message on every one of those vacant billboards “Scientology is a bullying cult”, or you can actually support free speech as you claim to do and leave us alone.”
If you would like to make your thoughts known to Clear Channel, they kindly provide a Contact Us page on their website
I left them a message.
Clear Channel does not have clean hands.
Quick Google search ~~
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. agreed to pay more than $26 million to resolve charges that it bribed Chinese government officials to obtain outdoor advertising contracts in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).Sep 28, 2023
Wow!,
but actually I am not surprised at the unbelievable actions of a billboard group that does just fine for itself. Never mind the lies it concocts to get what it wants.
Disgusting!
Cowardice is NEVER an option.
Such a shame that they did this. The company really needs to at least own up that they did this. I feel as though three check isn’t enough. I along with many others will be contacting the company to ask why they did this.
A sea org member was arrested today by Denver police after assaulting a protestor.
If it was in LA, the protestor would have been arrested.
I also left a stern message on the Clear Channel contact link, accusing them of cowardly caving in to the Cult. What have I heard back? Crickets.
It’s unfortunate and infuriating that this happened and the company gave you just a check and nothing else. I will contact them later with my thoughts about this issue.
The CEO’s email is scottwells@clearchannel.com (afaik)
I’m reminded of the scene in The Godfather where Marlon Brando calmly says, “We’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
If they had any balls they would have responded as you say Mike: At any given time, a few hundred are empty, waiting for their next billboard to be placed. We can put a message on every one of those vacant billboards “Scientology is a bullying cult”,
I have just left them a message on their contact page. I shorted the advice above to “You should have told Scientology to f**** off.”
If nothing else, the Foundation has found the bullbait that sciento couldn’t ignore.
It’s disappointing that In light of this billboard debacle and Mark Bunker’s loss, CoS seems to have gained some momentum in the fight to stay alive, Sad.
I believe that the church of scientology will continue its downward trajectory until its dead – and it will be dead. “…maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of our lives.”
Unfortunately, the City of Clearwater downtown area will continue to be a ghost town while other outlying cities are thriving. This is scientology’s contribution to Clearwater – a ghost town. Clear Channel selling out won’t stop the church of scientology from treating its staff like slaves; people in its grasp will continue to suffer and more and more will continue to leave – except (unlike when I left and had only an email address for Mike Rinder to turn to) there is the Aftermath Foundation as well as many others that are easily found if one needs consoling, guidance or help.
I’d like to thank Mark Bunker and The Aftermath Foundation for their fight and their resolve in exposing the church of scientology for who and what it is.
I liked the Casablanca bit in there.
We’re showing our age. ;)))
Every time I read or hear “ghost town” as a description of Scientology’s Downtown Clearwater, I’ve to think at Katie Melua’s song “Ghost Town”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrM7ijeR0IE
…with a film playing in my mind with these images: The image of the view of some lonely person walking the streets of Downtown Clearwater, passing the empty buildings of the Scientology streets with the closed doors and occasionally tumbleweed rolling through the streets… , accompanied by the music of the dragging melody:
“The thing that makes me feel the most down,
Is the feeling that I’m living in a ghost town.
Barndoor* bangin’ in my face,
Like tumbleweed I’m rolling ’round this place.
…”
(* closing door of Scn building when passing by.)
Maybe one talented person can make a video in this manner.
When I would drive around there, I would play this song full blast.
I love that idea.
Mary
Yes thx to Mark Bunker, and The Aftermath foundation.
There are so many people, who think that scio is just a friendly organization, clearly in Clearwater too.
As Mark said, COS is not your usual cult, it is especially dangerous. Maybe some kind of cooperation between Bunker and Aftermath Foundation, could happen.
COS big money reserve sadly protects the cult.
I mean, it makes no sense that the billboard could not stay up, and it makes no sense that Clearwater population wants COS to buy downtown.
With kind regards
Kim
Excellent point. I will contact Clear Channel. There are hundreds of thousands of people who would agree that the billboard is a positive action. Having a herd of lawyers scare clear channel is preposterous in this day and age.
Clear Channel sold out… wonder how much money they got for their integrity? There was a contract – hmmmm could they be dragged into court for breach of contract and the sciobots pay for their lawyer…I bet yes. Could during that court case discovery get the truth? I bet we already know the truth. Since the sciobots have no integrity are we surprised by this? I bet not.
Can we get bumper stickers and t-shirts with the same ad distributed with the refund… I hope we do.
Why do I get the feeling the cult owns Clear Channel stock and used that as leverage. So when you say “Owned” by Sci it is probably literally true. Crazy Catholic Cathy, who used to live on LRH way, told me they own lots of stock in the medical co’s around big blue in order to influence them. As well as make money on the stock market.
Someone’s postulate finally came through! Cause over billboards, possibly the end phenomena of OT IX?
(In addition to the smoking crater in your bank account.)
Clear Channel … what a bunch of chumps.
It is really remarkable, Mike. Everything is $$$. I wonder if they were bribed or if OSA got dirt on someone or…?
Censorship really pisses me off, personally. Buuut, publishers are allowed discretion over what they publish; IDT paid ads get first amendment protections.
Speaking as a former publisher, not a lawyer, eh.