TV broadcast of mardi gras 2002

A two hour program of the mardi gras parade was shown at 9.30 pm on Wednesday 6 March by Channel 10. Yes, this was a promotional propaganda filled two hours - what else should we expect.

Looking at the broadcast, many would feel sure that there were "hundreds of thousands" there. A mention was made on the program that 500,000 was the anticipated crowd size but no 'actual' figure was mentioned! For our analysis of the actual crowd, click here .

YOU CAN HELP reduce the impact of this propaganda TV program by letters in these these three areas:
1. Channel 10
2. Green Guide
3. Companies that advertised

1. Channel 10
Please contact Channel 10 and object to this broadcast - for the display of nudity, sleaze being promoted on television and the exaggeration of crowd numbers.
Sydney Ph (02) 9650 1010 Fax (02) 9650 1111
Melbourne Ph (03) 9275 1010 Fax (03) 9275 1333
Address: Mr John McAlpine, CEO, Channel 10, GPO Box 10, Sydney, NSW 2000.
(No email address)

2. Green Guide program
The Age Green Guide promoted the mardi gras broadcast in last week's Green Guide, published the Thursday BEFORE the event (28 February), saying "200 parade entries with over 85,000 participants (an extra zero here???) with over 650,000 onlookers present." Perhaps they know something the rest of us don't know as they predict the numbers in advance????

On the night, the organisers said there were 70 floats, 7000 participants and 550,000 spectators. Remember - 550,000 would need 68 rows on each side of the road for the whole route.
Write to Mr Gordon Farrer, The Editor, Green Guide. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

3. Companies that advertised
Contact the companies that had advertisements during the two hour TV program. The main sponsors/advertisers in Melbourne were NOVA 100 FM and Ford.

Nova 100: Write to their Advertising Sales Department. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ford (and Clipsal 500)
Ford was a major sponsor of the Mardi gras and had ads in most ad breaks promoting the Clipsal 500 and Ford. They obviously planned to advertise on the program.
Address your letter to Mr Geoff Polites, President, Ford Motor Company.
Contact them on the web: http://www.ford.com.au/contact/Contact.asp

Some of the following companies may have a package of advertisements with Channel 10 and have no idea that their advertisements appeared on the mardi gras TV broadcast, so please don't be too harsh with them!

In writing to them, we need to:
· tell them that their advertisement appeared,
· express our concern,
· ask if they knew their ad was on the Mardi gras broadcast,
· ask them to contact the TV station to ensure that their ads don't appear on such programs in future and
· ask for a response.

Where possible, email/internet contacts have been given to make it easier for you. Write your letter first and copy it each time. Address your letter to the Managing Director if no other details are given.

K-Mart
This ad featured "Playstation", and appeared several times. KMart tell us they did not authorise ads to be on during the broadcast. Ask them to contact Channel 10 to complain.
https://www.kmart.com.au/default1.htm?callit=contactus&ms=contactus
Then select Customer Feedback.

Hungry Jacks
The Hungry Jacks advertisement appeared several times.
Write to the Managing Director, Hungry Jacks care of This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Red Rooster
Write to Mr Kevin Gee, General Manager, Red Rooster, 15 Dalmore St, Scoresby, Vic, 3179. (no email address)

Uncle Tobys This was an advertisement featuring synchronised swimming, promoting a number of Uncle Tobys products. Uncle Tobys is a brand name of Goodman Fielder. The ad appeared several times.
http://www.goodmanfielder.com.au/dir065/gfsite/gflimited.nsf/Content/Contact+Us

Target
This ad advertised children's clothes! Target is part of Coles Myer. Write your letter to Managing Director, Target but use this email link:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

JB Hi-Fi
These ads promoted the Alana Morisette CD. No email address.
Write to Frank Garonzi, Managing Director, JB Hi-Fi, 14 Spink St, Brighton, Vic, 3186.