WATER PARK WON'T TRADE WITH BLACK RADIO

[nocajunmoon]

BLUE BAYOU WATER PARK
DIXIE LANDING AMUSEMENT PARK..

IF YOU'RE BLACK, WE'LL TAKE YOUR
MONEY, BUT YOUR NOT INVITED..

Dear Colleagues,

On Tuesday, May 14, 2008, I was told
by Liz Harrison, Marketing DIrector
of Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie
Landing Amusement Park, that they
have no plans to continue their
long-term practice with KBZE 105.9FM,
of trading 100 or more admission tickets
to the parks, in exchange for double
that value in radio advertising.

Liz Harrison said that their summer concert
series has country and pop artists, so their
radio concern will be for these formats.

"We have no interest in an African-American
audience," she said.

I replied to her, "Do you realize that is blatant
racial discrimination?"

She replied, "You call it what you will, I call
it free enterprise."

I am asking that all African Americans who listen
to either of my radio stations, call and voice
their opinion to Ms. Harrison. The number
at Blue Bayou is 1-225-753-3333.

Her e-mail address is: [email protected].

As a side note, we have confirmed that
Blue Bayou also does not do business
with any Black Radio in Baton Rouge,
or the African-American owned Louisiana Weekly,
the state's oldest weekly newspaper, and one of
this country's oldest African American owned
news publications.

Should any of you have further questions on this,
please do not hestiate to call me at 985-312-2154,
or e-mail me at [email protected].

It's time we bring issues like this infront of the
public.

WE ALL LOVE OUR CHILDREN. BUT WE
ALL WORK HARD FOR OUR MONEY AS WELL.

Sincerely,

Howard J. Castay, Jr.
President & General Manger
KBZE 105.9FM
and KFRA 1390AM

 

[ksw2844]

I completely support Blue Bayou, or any other advertisers wishing to "target" their advertising dollars, and frankly, Mr. Castay, I resent your introduction of "racism" into the matter. African Americans have for too long been the victims of TRUE racism, and your decision to make a matter of advertising "marketing and targeting" a "race" issue is dispicable. You should be ashamed of yourself. After all blacks have been through, for you to lashout because your family and employee's or listeners can't visit the water park for free is borderline sick.

If their target is "Country" because of the acts they bring in, be adult enough to understand the first rule of marketing... spend money (yes, trade is still "money") where you can get the best return and in a marketing vehicle that supports your "target demo."

You screaming "RACISM" over this may insure that may of us don't hear "RACISM" when it's real, much like what happened in Europe in the 1940's, and our country for the last 200 years. You've posted this on 3 different threads purely for "vindetta" purpose... and you run a gospel station at that. Shame.

My oh my.
I guess just 'cause you know the "Word" don't mean you "Walk" the Word, huh?

 

[nocajunmoon]

a few thoughts for you -

first...check that park in the middle of its rush hour....you'll see blacks support it....

my purpose for the letter is - hey, we'll take your money, but frankly, you won't be invited...

second - they don't use Black Radio in Baton Rouge at all - and those are the dollars that flood that park

Third - If you check my radio station isn't all gospel...it's an urban mix...

Fourth - we use almost all of those tickets as incentives for children, low income whose parents can't afford to get into that park. We give them
the ability to do so... I give 5 to one son and his kids, and 4 to the other son and his kids...my wife has not yet even gone, since we have owned both
radio stations...

trust me sir, this isn't for me and my family,.....IT'S FOR NOT ONLY KNOWING THE "WORD" BUT "walking the word out"!

P.S. You should be ashamed of yourself, because you don't know all the answers, however, your so ready to JUDGE.

 

[fortmill]

I agree with you 100% Noca. In effect they're saying: "We'll let whites in for free but blacks have to pay." Very nasty....

 

[Chris_Rose]

I completely support Blue Bayou, or any other advertisers wishing to "target" their advertising dollars, and frankly, Mr. Castay, I resent your introduction of "racism" into the matter.

Let's be clear here... there is a difference between "target" advertising and blatant racism. This appears to be the latter. If this were Blue Bayou Tanning Salon, I could understand them not wishing to spend marketing dollars going after the African-American market. Although some African-American's do tan, I'm guessing the majority have no need of that particular service.

Not wishing to advertise to African-American's for a water park however, clearly smacks of racism. In fact, it's one step short of putting up a sign that says "Whites only water park". Clearly that would be a violation of the law. Choosing not to advertise towards African-American's is obviously not a violation of the law... but that does not mean it's not "racism".

Given the information presented here... it would seem that Blue Bayou is a racist amusement park. Or at the very least employs a racist Marketing Director. In fact, I'm surprised the Marketing Director was actually dumb enough to state her racist views out loud. Most are smart enough to keep the real reasons they don't buy "urban" to themselves.

Let's see how long she remains in her position. For that matter... let's see how long this water park remains in business.

 

[DXMeister]

"Choosing not to advertise towards African-American's is obviously not a violation of the law... but that does not mean it's not "racism"."

Exactly, it's their advertising dollars they do or do not want to spend. It's not a big deal if they don't want to spend on minorities. noca is indeed race baiting to the highest level just for publicity. It's not written anywhere that a business has to advertise to blacks. You can't tell anyone how to spend their money. It's like telling a person..choosing from a white owned store and a black owned store..that they have to buy from a black owned store just because it's the 'right' thing to do. The political correctness bs in this country is killing it off slowly.

"As a side note, we have confirmed that
Blue Bayou also does not do business
with any Black Radio in Baton Rouge,
or the African-American owned Louisiana Weekly,
the state's oldest weekly newspaper, and one of
this country's oldest African American owned
news publications."

Again what's the big deal here? It's their choice, it is indeed free enterprise. No business should be forced to advertise to minorities just because they have to. Find better things to rant about that don't include wanting attention and ruining legitimate businesses like Blue Bayou. I support their decision to do what they want to do with their own business.

 

[fortmill]

Blue Bayou is happy to take money from blacks, but will not put money back into bussiness/institutions which serves the black community, while at the same time supporting their white counterparts---that is wrong and racist.

 

[Radio girl]

What kind of entertainment did the park feature last year?

 

[nocajunmoon]

the same. I really think they caught onto the fact that I'm urban, this year. I believe it was an oversight on their small narrow-minds

 

[DaleGriffin]

When Ruben Studdard came here last year they didn't advertise on my talk station... will some one please take up my plight. They were clearly racist.

 

[DXMeister]

As usual, all the ones wanting to look good or a payout are coming out of the wood work. It's free enterprise folks, get over it.

 

[nocajunmoon]

ALL BUT 91 OF MY 99 TICKETS ARE USED TO DONATE TO CHURCHES WITH AT-RISK STUDENTS, AS WELL AS FOR GRADE INCENTIVES.

I KEEP, NOR DO I MAKE MONEY OFF OF ANY OF THESE TICKETS.

WHAT STINKS, IS THAT THIS IS A BUSINESS FOR KIDS, WHERE THEY CHARGE $35-$40 PER KID, AND THAT'S JUST FOR ADMISSION...

MY AIM, MY GOAL WAS THAT THE KIDS ARE LOSING OUT...BECAUSE MANY ARE FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHOSE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD IT!

 

[DaleGriffin]

ALL BUT 91 OF MY 99 TICKETS ARE USED TO DONATE TO CHURCHES WITH AT-RISK STUDENTS, AS WELL AS FOR GRADE INCENTIVES.

I KEEP, NOR DO I MAKE MONEY OFF OF ANY OF THESE TICKETS.

WHAT STINKS, IS THAT THIS IS A BUSINESS FOR KIDS, WHERE THEY CHARGE $35-$40 PER KID, AND THAT'S JUST FOR ADMISSION...

MY AIM, MY GOAL WAS THAT THE KIDS ARE LOSING OUT...BECAUSE MANY ARE FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHOSE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD IT!

BOOO HOOO THAT IS LIFE. MY PARENTS COULDN'T AFFORD TO SEND ME EVERYWHERE I WANTED TO GO.... why are we using caps? The fact that you gave tickets to your kids makes your weak argument sound even weaker. Give it a rest there was no racism here. Stations, like other businesses, target demos, quit whining and reformat the station to hit the demos they want and then you may get your free tickets. I really hope all this ridiculous "outrage" doesn't work and get you the attention you are seeking.

 

[cklw800]

Calling Blue Bayou "racist" out loud won't accomplish anything. The only mistake here is the marketing person coming out and saying what she said. Restaurants and dance clubs "quietly" still limit the number of black patrons in various clever ways and limit advertising to Urban radio to limit black patronage. There are entities doing this quietly and have been doing it for years. It doesn't get attention because they're smart enough not to SAY that they're doing it. Had the marketing person been clever enough to say something like "we had a limited budget and would have really liked to extend it to you but they really put a hurting on us this year because of the fear of low numbers due to gas prices" and maybe used a little humor and friendliness, she'd have gotten clean away with it. The radio guy was probably more offended by her tone and straightforwardness. And she was probably comfortable with it because she feels protected by the rules of business to come out and say so.

Had she lied like she was supposed to, the radio guy wouldn't have a case for argument. He'd have bought it hook, line and sinker (or maybe only could guess at waht it might be) like many do every day who are blocked out of ad buys, restaurants, parks and clubs. They are given friendly messages and a tone of voice that says "damn, we really want you, but gee, we can't do it. Let's work something out for the future!" while inwardly saying "we don't want troublesome at-risk kids in our parks fighting, dishing in line, being unruly and scaring our middle and upscale white customers away." In business it's what you SAY, not what you DO. That's why they invented disclaimers. Let's go after the guy who talks fast at the end of car commercials. I swear one says, "specialhigherinterestratesapplyonlytoblackswithbadcredit." Just kidding. But the worst thing the radio guy could do is call a black boycott of the park. Beee-autiful! That will bring double the white business to the park. Might be what Blue Bayou is looking for.

 

[DXMeister]

I agree, it should've been worded differently so people don't know the truth directly. That's how it does work in business. If it gets double the white business, all the better for Blue Bayou since that's what they want. Either way they win and the black community looks worse than before speaking up like they have.

 

[ciao99]

BLUE BAYOU WATER PARK
DIXIE LANDING AMUSEMENT PARK..

IF YOU'RE BLACK, WE'LL TAKE YOUR
MONEY, BUT YOUR NOT INVITED..

Dear Colleagues,

On Tuesday, May 14, 2008, I was told
by Liz Harrison, Marketing DIrector
of Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie
Landing Amusement Park, that they
have no plans to continue their
long-term practice with KBZE 105.9FM,
of trading 100 or more admission tickets
to the parks, in exchange for double
that value in radio advertising.

Liz Harrison said that their summer concert
series has country and pop artists, so their
radio concern will be for these formats.

"We have no interest in an African-American
audience," she said.

I replied to her, "Do you realize that is blatant
racial discrimination?"

She replied, "You call it what you will, I call
it free enterprise."

I am asking that all African Americans who listen
to either of my radio stations, call and voice
their opinion to Ms. Harrison. The number
at Blue Bayou is 1-225-753-3333.

Her e-mail address is: [email protected].

As a side note, we have confirmed that
Blue Bayou also does not do business
with any Black Radio in Baton Rouge,
or the African-American owned Louisiana Weekly,
the state's oldest weekly newspaper, and one of
this country's oldest African American owned
news publications.

Should any of you have further questions on this,
please do not hestiate to call me at 985-312-2154,
or e-mail me at [email protected].

It's time we bring issues like this infront of the
public.

WE ALL LOVE OUR CHILDREN. BUT WE
ALL WORK HARD FOR OUR MONEY AS WELL.

Sincerely,

Howard J. Castay, Jr.
President & General Manger
KBZE 105.9FM
and KFRA 1390AM

If Blue Bayou is racist, don't patronize them. Sounds like an opportunity for a black owned company to open a water park in Baton Rouge.

 

[tikkinate]

I use to work for Liz back in 1996 at "Fun Fair Park" (I think her family owned FFP and BB) which they moved to the Blue Bayou grounds and called it Dixie Landing well here is my two cents on Liz at that time min wage was $4.25 (I think), well we were paid only $3/hr and the managers were paid $4.25 starting and those working at Blue Bayou started at min wage. I say about 95% of the crew was AA I couldn't tell you about the crew at Blue Bayou cause I never went to the place.

 

[BR Radio]

IF YOU'RE BLACK, WE'LL TAKE YOUR
MONEY, BUT YOUR NOT INVITED..

With grammar like that, i'm not surprised you are losing business.

How can you possibly say that if they dont advertise with you they are racist? What about the million other businesses that have told you no? Are they racist too? Blue Bayou did advertise with you and there are thousands of companies that never had? Does that make the ones that didn't even more racist for not advertising on black radio stations? I have read multiple forums and threads about this little fiasco of yours and trust me, everyone is saying that you are playing the typical race card because you aren't getting your way. Personally, I think you're a terrible businessman if you can't accept no for an answer. Have you seen the amount of blacks that frequent that park? They are anything but racist. Racist businessmen dont do business with races other than their own.

All your pathetic smear campaign is doing is making you and your station look foolish, so if thats what you set out to accomplish, kudos. Otherwise, open up a dictionary and learn the difference between your and you're before you go out on one of these Al Sharpton smear whitie campaigns.

PS - I know of several primarily black night clubs here in Baton Rouge that won't spend advertising dollars with WYNK 101.5, the country station here. Can I start calling those clubs racist because they don't advertise on country radio stations?

 

[salemjedi54]

BLUE BAYOU WATER PARK
DIXIE LANDING AMUSEMENT PARK..

IF YOU'RE BLACK, WE'LL TAKE YOUR
MONEY, BUT YOUR NOT INVITED..

Dear Colleagues,

On Tuesday, May 14, 2008, I was told
by Liz Harrison, Marketing DIrector
of Blue Bayou Water Park and Dixie
Landing Amusement Park, that they
have no plans to continue their
long-term practice with KBZE 105.9FM,
of trading 100 or more admission tickets
to the parks, in exchange for double
that value in radio advertising.

Liz Harrison said that their summer concert
series has country and pop artists, so their
radio concern will be for these formats.

"We have no interest in an African-American
audience," she said.

I replied to her, "Do you realize that is blatant
racial discrimination?"

She replied, "You call it what you will, I call
it free enterprise."

I am asking that all African Americans who listen
to either of my radio stations, call and voice
their opinion to Ms. Harrison. The number
at Blue Bayou is 1-225-753-3333.

Her e-mail address is: [email protected].

As a side note, we have confirmed that
Blue Bayou also does not do business
with any Black Radio in Baton Rouge,
or the African-American owned Louisiana Weekly,
the state's oldest weekly newspaper, and one of
this country's oldest African American owned
news publications.

Should any of you have further questions on this,
please do not hestiate to call me at 985-312-2154,
or e-mail me at [email protected].

It's time we bring issues like this infront of the
public.

WE ALL LOVE OUR CHILDREN. BUT WE
ALL WORK HARD FOR OUR MONEY AS WELL.

Sincerely,

Howard J. Castay, Jr.
President & General Manger
KBZE 105.9FM
and KFRA 1390AM

If Blue Bayou is racist, don't patronize them. Sounds like an opportunity for a black owned company to open a water park in Baton Rouge.

Now that is the truth right there. Even though Non-Urban dictates are bad business practices, its that company's right to do it. I may be the only black person who defends the NUD. Its also bad business to "shame" a company to do business with you if they choose not to. This clearly sounds like when Tom Joyner "shamed" CompUSA in to advertising on the TJMS when they probably had no interest in doing so. This is clearly NOT racism, its called preference and spending wisely.
Have you and your LSM found another way to get tickets for your low-income listeners? Think outside the box. If you can't join them, then beat them.

 

[cklw800]

Hold on, BR. You highlighted the wrong "YOUR" in the quote box in your post. You missed the apostrophe in "don't"---twice---and you're missing an apostrophe in "that's". But it's your first post. So hey! We get the overall point.