Local connection: this happened at an Entercom station.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv.../Front/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070114.wwater0114
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv.../Front/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070114.wwater0114
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Radio Contest Gone Horribly Wrong
- Thread starter Debaser
- Start date
Tragic. Stupid, and tragic. The whole frat-boy premise of the contest was demeaning to start with, and you'd think that the combined brain power of the morning morons, program director, promotions director, and whatever management that was paying attention to the shenanigans at the station would have been aware that water intoxication has killed people in the past.
I expect that criminal charges will be filed, and that a civil lawsuit will cost Entercom millions. There isn't one word about any of this on the station's website. There needs to be a very public mea culpa prominently displayed, and people need to step up and take responsibility.
I expect that criminal charges will be filed, and that a civil lawsuit will cost Entercom millions. There isn't one word about any of this on the station's website. There needs to be a very public mea culpa prominently displayed, and people need to step up and take responsibility.
Even without this horrible accident "Holding your Wee for a Wii' just seems so moronic.Radio sinks to a new low.
I worked as Mr part time today. We have a nationwide contest our station is a part of. I was all excited when I called the number we have in the studio to get the results of who won and it turned out to be someone from our listening area. The downer was the winner had been listening to another station in the cluster. Radio just isn't as fun as it used to be.
I worked as Mr part time today. We have a nationwide contest our station is a part of. I was all excited when I called the number we have in the studio to get the results of who won and it turned out to be someone from our listening area. The downer was the winner had been listening to another station in the cluster. Radio just isn't as fun as it used to be.
SirRoxalot said:
As of roughly 10 PM ET last night the station's regular website had been changed to a simple text message from the VP/GM, still up as of this morning:
"All of you are probably aware of the tragic death of a contestant, Jennifer Strange, following her participation in a contest on the Morning Rave last Friday.
First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jennifer's family and loved ones.
I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible. In the interim, the Morning Rave is off the air indefinitely.
Thank you.
John Geary
Vice-President & General Manager
107.9 THE END"
---
Richard in Allentown, PA
I too mourn the death of this poor woman. But it took the GM how long to come up with this statement that more resembles a CYA press release rather than a genuine offer of sympathy and respect?
Oh, right... it first had to be approved by the attorneys at home office in Philly. Musn't put anything in writing that might construe responsibility for this mindless promotion.
One can only hope that radio stations across the United States have taken notice of this fatal fiasco.
You'll pardon my skepticism.
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Oh, right... it first had to be approved by the attorneys at home office in Philly. Musn't put anything in writing that might construe responsibility for this mindless promotion.
One can only hope that radio stations across the United States have taken notice of this fatal fiasco.
You'll pardon my skepticism.
-9-
I would have changed the text in the web site copy to read, "This is The End for The Morning Rave."
Then I'd run my favourite contest of all time
rive Into A Bridge Abutment!
"We have selected a secret bridge abutment in our area. Now all you have to do is drive into it to win!!! So head your car into the concrete, and if you pick the right abutment, you'll win double the pay out from our insurance agent! So get those motors running now!" [Use Steppenwolf music here but don't pay royalties]
"Contestants picking an incorrect abutment will get a 20% discount from our sponsor, The Am I Gone Funeral Home."
I know...I know...I have much too much time on my hands...
Then I'd run my favourite contest of all time
rive Into A Bridge Abutment!"We have selected a secret bridge abutment in our area. Now all you have to do is drive into it to win!!! So head your car into the concrete, and if you pick the right abutment, you'll win double the pay out from our insurance agent! So get those motors running now!" [Use Steppenwolf music here but don't pay royalties]
"Contestants picking an incorrect abutment will get a 20% discount from our sponsor, The Am I Gone Funeral Home."
I know...I know...I have much too much time on my hands...
And like I have already stated in the millions of other places where this thread likes to pop up, there should have been a doctor present.
NO EXCUSES!
And since it's the states and not Canada, (where there is "free" healthcare) the doctor should have been paid for by the radio station...
NO EXCUSES!
And since it's the states and not Canada, (where there is "free" healthcare) the doctor should have been paid for by the radio station...
10 Dismissed after Radio Stunt goes horribly wrong
Following the topic below of the death of a listener at a station promotion/contest. This according to All Access:
Following the unfortunate death of a KDND (107.9 THE END)/SACRAMENTO listener (NET NEWS 1/15) attributed apparently to drinking too much water during a "Hold Your Wee For A Wii" contest last FRIDAY (1/12), ENTERCOM/SACRAMENTO VP/Market Mgr. JOHN GEARY has released a statement: "Effective immediately, the Morning Rave program is cancelled and ten employees are no longer with the station."
ALL ACCESS has learned that among those exiting are nine-year Station Mgr./PD STEVE WEED; Morning Rave members LUKAS, MANEY, TRISH SWEET, FESTER and CARTER; morning show producer LIZ DIAZ; Promotion Dir. ROBIN PECHOTAl; and two others.
Following the topic below of the death of a listener at a station promotion/contest. This according to All Access:
Following the unfortunate death of a KDND (107.9 THE END)/SACRAMENTO listener (NET NEWS 1/15) attributed apparently to drinking too much water during a "Hold Your Wee For A Wii" contest last FRIDAY (1/12), ENTERCOM/SACRAMENTO VP/Market Mgr. JOHN GEARY has released a statement: "Effective immediately, the Morning Rave program is cancelled and ten employees are no longer with the station."
ALL ACCESS has learned that among those exiting are nine-year Station Mgr./PD STEVE WEED; Morning Rave members LUKAS, MANEY, TRISH SWEET, FESTER and CARTER; morning show producer LIZ DIAZ; Promotion Dir. ROBIN PECHOTAl; and two others.
Yeziknoradio said:
Yezi. C'mon. It's friggin' radio. In a perfect world, yes. But radio, as you should know from reading and posting here, is the epitome of the imperfect world.
The latest news can be read at the Sacramento Bee on line.
Re: 10 Dismissed after Radio Stunt goes horribly wrong
CBS/AP now have stories with more details on the dialogue that happened during the program. See, for example, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/entertainment/main2365259.shtml.
What strikes me is how moronic the station staff was; the most telling quote was from the DJ after the nurse called in to report this was dangerous: ""Yeah, we're aware of that...They signed releases so we're not responsible, okay?"
Reminds me of the despair.com quote: "None of us is as stupid as all of us."
Hopefully morning teams elsewhere will look in the mirror this morning and ask themselves how they would have carried out such a contest.
Richard in Allentown, PA
x13thfloorrand said:
CBS/AP now have stories with more details on the dialogue that happened during the program. See, for example, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/entertainment/main2365259.shtml.
What strikes me is how moronic the station staff was; the most telling quote was from the DJ after the nurse called in to report this was dangerous: ""Yeah, we're aware of that...They signed releases so we're not responsible, okay?"
Reminds me of the despair.com quote: "None of us is as stupid as all of us."
Hopefully morning teams elsewhere will look in the mirror this morning and ask themselves how they would have carried out such a contest.
Richard in Allentown, PA
Re: 10 Dismissed after Radio Stunt goes horribly wrong
I'm sure that the firings of ten employees will not bring comfort to the family of the person who died because of this stupid stunt. On the other hand all blame can not be centered on the radio station in question. Nobody forced people to participate in this ratings gimmick. This incident reminds me when people videotape themselves doing stupid, life-threatening stunts, just so they can appear on some national TV program. Blame can go around, but so also must personal choice.
x13thfloorrand said:
I'm sure that the firings of ten employees will not bring comfort to the family of the person who died because of this stupid stunt. On the other hand all blame can not be centered on the radio station in question. Nobody forced people to participate in this ratings gimmick. This incident reminds me when people videotape themselves doing stupid, life-threatening stunts, just so they can appear on some national TV program. Blame can go around, but so also must personal choice.
Unclear on the Concept
I'm baffled by the reaction of the local PD, as quoted from the CBS news article above:
Sgt. Tim Curran, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, which would have jurisdiction over the KDND incident, said officers are not investigating Strange's death.
"It was a contest and people are saying there was no coercion. On its face, it appears it was all done voluntarily, and no criminal activity was involved," Curran said.
If frat boys at a local college were guilty of involuntary manslaughter, I don't see how the people running the contest escape culpability whether there was a signed release or not, especially if there is proof that they were warned by a nurse who called in. That would seem like "depraved indifference" to me, and that release damned well better mention the possibility of DEATH from participating in the contest.
I'm sure that the family has plenty of grounds to sue for millions, but that isn't really the point, is it? Will money replace a young wife and mother? I hope that all the people involved - fired or not - end up with a weekly sum deducted from future paychecks to remind them of the cost of their carelessness, if not downright stupidity. I don't care if it's a dollar, as long as it's a constant reminder that they need to treat other people with more respect than that.
This event smacks of the 1979 Who concert stampede in Cincinnati. That was a watershed moment that changed the way that people do business in this country. Let's hope that EVERYBODY in radio is paying attention, and that radio stations and listeners reject contests that demean both the listeners and the personalities who conduct them.
I'm baffled by the reaction of the local PD, as quoted from the CBS news article above:
Sgt. Tim Curran, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, which would have jurisdiction over the KDND incident, said officers are not investigating Strange's death.
"It was a contest and people are saying there was no coercion. On its face, it appears it was all done voluntarily, and no criminal activity was involved," Curran said.
If frat boys at a local college were guilty of involuntary manslaughter, I don't see how the people running the contest escape culpability whether there was a signed release or not, especially if there is proof that they were warned by a nurse who called in. That would seem like "depraved indifference" to me, and that release damned well better mention the possibility of DEATH from participating in the contest.
I'm sure that the family has plenty of grounds to sue for millions, but that isn't really the point, is it? Will money replace a young wife and mother? I hope that all the people involved - fired or not - end up with a weekly sum deducted from future paychecks to remind them of the cost of their carelessness, if not downright stupidity. I don't care if it's a dollar, as long as it's a constant reminder that they need to treat other people with more respect than that.
This event smacks of the 1979 Who concert stampede in Cincinnati. That was a watershed moment that changed the way that people do business in this country. Let's hope that EVERYBODY in radio is paying attention, and that radio stations and listeners reject contests that demean both the listeners and the personalities who conduct them.
Hear It For Yourself
Listen to excerpts from the contest.
Chilling.
Especially when you consider that she was trying to win the game system for her kids.
Listen to excerpts from the contest.
Chilling.
Especially when you consider that she was trying to win the game system for her kids.
Re: Hear It For Yourself
Hey, that's great! They're joking about someone possibly dying as a result of drinking too much water!
So much for the "we had no idea" defense.
In addition, these guys also SUCK. They are your everyday, garden-variety, cookie cutter morning yuk-yuk hacks.
What a loss to the industry.
Hey, that's great! They're joking about someone possibly dying as a result of drinking too much water!
So much for the "we had no idea" defense.
In addition, these guys also SUCK. They are your everyday, garden-variety, cookie cutter morning yuk-yuk hacks.
What a loss to the industry.
No Idea
Just to put an end to the "we had no idea" defense, go to Google and type in "Can drinking too much water hurt you?". In less time than it takes for a typical commercial to run, you should be to determine that THIS CONTEST WAS DANGEROUS.
If this is what it takes to get every Morning Zoo, Circus, Regular Guys, Knuckleheads, etc. to rethink their presentation and the stunts that they use to lure listeners, then maybe this poor woman's death wasn't completely senseless.
But it seems to me like it's a Hell of a price to pay.
Steven21 said:
Just to put an end to the "we had no idea" defense, go to Google and type in "Can drinking too much water hurt you?". In less time than it takes for a typical commercial to run, you should be to determine that THIS CONTEST WAS DANGEROUS.
If this is what it takes to get every Morning Zoo, Circus, Regular Guys, Knuckleheads, etc. to rethink their presentation and the stunts that they use to lure listeners, then maybe this poor woman's death wasn't completely senseless.
But it seems to me like it's a Hell of a price to pay.
And Furthermore...
Just when I think that I have nothing left to add, I stumble across another outrage.
KDND fired a bunch of people, and posted an "apology" on their website yesterday that read in part:
"First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jennifer's family and loved ones. I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible." - Entercom/Sacramento VP/Market Manager John Geary
That message went up Monday - three days after the death of one of their contestants. Now, you'd think that an event of that magnitude might rate a link to the full statement, if not a home page box with at least an excerpt, while the controversy was still raging in both local and national media. But no, not at the KDND website. There isn't anything - a mention, a link, a offer of condolence - anywhere interspersed among the banners, ads, and usual blather.
Somebody at corporate needs to get their head out of their A$$ and at least express remorse.
PS - It's nice to see that the local Sheriff has removed his head from his A$$.
Just when I think that I have nothing left to add, I stumble across another outrage.
KDND fired a bunch of people, and posted an "apology" on their website yesterday that read in part:
"First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jennifer's family and loved ones. I also want to assure you that the circumstances regarding this matter are being examined as thoroughly as possible. We are doing everything we can to deal with this difficult situation in a manner that is both respectful and responsible." - Entercom/Sacramento VP/Market Manager John Geary
That message went up Monday - three days after the death of one of their contestants. Now, you'd think that an event of that magnitude might rate a link to the full statement, if not a home page box with at least an excerpt, while the controversy was still raging in both local and national media. But no, not at the KDND website. There isn't anything - a mention, a link, a offer of condolence - anywhere interspersed among the banners, ads, and usual blather.
Somebody at corporate needs to get their head out of their A$$ and at least express remorse.
PS - It's nice to see that the local Sheriff has removed his head from his A$$.
I would not be too shocked with the fact the station has said little about this incident in the public venue. The first thing their attorney would have told them is to say absolutely as little as possible because every public statement can and will become part of the proceedings.
You can be absolutely assured their will be a seven figure settlement over this incident, paid for by Entercom's liability insurance policy. The reason they terminated anyone who knew about this fiasco, even if they weren't involved, is a mitigation effort to preserve their insurance and minimize exposure from employees who may make public statements that could also expose Entercom to further damages. By being ex-employees, Entercom reduces further exposure. It's also a damage control effort. One wonders if the entire "cancer" has been excised, particularly in the upper echelons of management that might have budgeted or approved this "contest."
All this being said, I hardly find it surprising a station would pull something like this. It's from the Fear Factor/excretory humor culture a lot of people seem to enjoy these days. You can bet nobody bothered to Google or consult about anything.
As for what happens next, you can expect the station to whip out a waver signed by the contestant and use the argument that the contest was voluntary and the individual knew what she was signing. In the end, however, there will be probably a year of negotiations between lawyers and depositions taken, and then a settlement made to the family.
As far as criminal prosecution goes, the police officer(s) won't make that determination in a highly publicized case. The district attorney, if the case looks good, will of course chase the publicity such a prosecution would provide for the person in office.
You can also be certain within 12-15 months, Law and Order will do this story as one of their "ripped from the headlines" episodes.
You can be absolutely assured their will be a seven figure settlement over this incident, paid for by Entercom's liability insurance policy. The reason they terminated anyone who knew about this fiasco, even if they weren't involved, is a mitigation effort to preserve their insurance and minimize exposure from employees who may make public statements that could also expose Entercom to further damages. By being ex-employees, Entercom reduces further exposure. It's also a damage control effort. One wonders if the entire "cancer" has been excised, particularly in the upper echelons of management that might have budgeted or approved this "contest."
All this being said, I hardly find it surprising a station would pull something like this. It's from the Fear Factor/excretory humor culture a lot of people seem to enjoy these days. You can bet nobody bothered to Google or consult about anything.
As for what happens next, you can expect the station to whip out a waver signed by the contestant and use the argument that the contest was voluntary and the individual knew what she was signing. In the end, however, there will be probably a year of negotiations between lawyers and depositions taken, and then a settlement made to the family.
As far as criminal prosecution goes, the police officer(s) won't make that determination in a highly publicized case. The district attorney, if the case looks good, will of course chase the publicity such a prosecution would provide for the person in office.
You can also be certain within 12-15 months, Law and Order will do this story as one of their "ripped from the headlines" episodes.
Element9 said:
I won't deny, there are radio stations out there that believe very strongly that it is cheaper to be sued, or to have *ANY* attention through stunts gone wrong, than it is to have to advertise a radio station, but come on!
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