PrintJune 28, 2007
NBC Universal Launches Global Warming Campaign
Forgive my tardiness in reporting this gem but needless to say I'm not on any NBC Universal's publicists speed dial so I had to stumble on upon this all by myself. When I found this thing I had to use all the restraint I could muster to keep from laughing out loud too much.
Back on May 24, 2007 NBC Universal announced a global warming publicity campaign they call "Get On Board." NBC bills this as "a comprehensive, company-wide program to improve the environmental impact of its operations by reducing greenhouse gases, raising awareness about green issues, and stimulating change in the media and entertainment industry."
Wow, no doubt these guys are in the vanguard - of propaganda that is. Led by their fearless leader, Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBCU claims this is all part of a massive campaign being spear headed by parent company General Electric's "ecomagination" initiative. And get this they claim this an extension of the "Get On Board" campaign launched in April to hype this summer's debut of Evan Almighty, NBC Universal's first movie to "zero out" its carbon emissions. Imagine that, a trip to movies without all the guilt.
They really threw everything in here but the kitchen sink. Highlights of "Get On Board" include:
"--Lower emissions and improved energy efficiency across all operations, reducing GHG emissions at least 3% by 2012." 3% now that'll stop global warming for sure!
"--Commitment to environmentally conscious film and TV production" This may well constitute cruelty as defined by the Supreme Court, "an act that shocks the conscience"
"--Formation of a dedicated panel on environmental initiatives, the NBCU Green Council, led by Bravo president Lauren Zalaznick." Can I join the Green Council, can I?
"-Multifaceted employee education programs"
Trumpeting this bold new step NBC says with the launch of "Get On Board," they are committed to being one of the most environmentally conscious companies in the industry, with environmentally advanced productions, content that educates and informs, internal energy efficiency, and green incentives for employees and their communities.
Waxing wisely CEO talk, Jeff Zucker said, "Now is the time for us not just to think green but to act green, we must run our businesses in a way that respects and protects our most valuable resource, the environment. This comprehensive program is a first series of steps that we hope will set a new course for the entire industry." These must be the kind of platitudes they teach you at Harvard.
Evidently they used the production of their new movie Evan Almighty as the archetype. They say that this is the first effort to significantly reduce the environmental impact of a major motion picture. They also say this is "America's number one movie" and describe this comedy remake of the biblical account of the great flood when Noah captained the ark as a "boatload of fun." Sounds like a boatload of b.s. to me.
Oh I get it floods, global warming yes, that's what Al Gore's been babbling about. Like zealot converts, they went to great lengths to feel "green" on this undertaking. Planting more than 2,000 trees to "zero out" the carbon emissions generated by the production of the movie; crew members were given bicycles to reduce car usage; and recycling galore. paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass. Get this, yes even their own website! Hallelujah! I wonder how they're going to handle the delicate matter of the private jet charters demanded these days by any moviestar who's anybody?
There's more. Its just a never ending propaganda fest at NBC.
"--NBC News has appointed Anne Thompson as Chief Environmental Affairs correspondent, covering issues such as alternative fuels, global warming, land usage and new technologies for all NBC News broadcasts including "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" and "Today," as well as on MSNBC and online at www.msnbc.com." We haven't seen this kind of cult worship since Jim Jones went to Guyana.
Everybody is gettin' in on the act.
"--All DVDs distributed by Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures International Entertainment will carry messaging about going green." Is this like those subliminal messages they used to flash on the screen to get movie goers to buy coke and popcorn?
And how can they leave out that multi-million dollar in-kind contribution to Al Gore.
"--A "Live Earth" concert will be broadcast across NBC Universal's television networks and on other platforms around the globe on 7.7.07, featuring performances by the world's top musicians and inspiring individuals, corporations, and governments to take action to solve the climate crisis." Everywhere but an NBC press release, this is called "issue advocacy."
Clearly, NBC is actively engaged in influencing legislation.
This is truly amazing. Before the internet this press release would be distributed to 50 or 100 reporters tops. In the bad old days, the actual press release would never see the light of day. The reporters would take it reword it a little and disseminate it through the AP and a couple of large newspapers. Rip and read they called it. Now the veil has been ripped off and people like me cut them to ribbons.
