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Media Matters for America

ABC memo reveals Air America advertiser blacklist

An internal ABC Radio Networks memo obtained by Media Matters for America, originally from a listener to The Peter B. Collins Show, indicates that nearly 100 ABC advertisers insist that their commercials be blacked out on Air America Radio affiliates. According to the memo, the advertisers insist that "NONE of their commercials air during AIR AMERICA programming." Among the advertisers listed are Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Federal Express, General Electric, McDonald's, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and the U.S. Navy.

The memo appears below, and an enlarged version can be viewed here

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The fine print says "Please be advised that Hewlett Packard has purchased schedules with ABC Radio Networks between October 30 and December 24, 2006. Please make sure you blackout this advertiser on your station, as they do not wish to air on any Air America affiliates."

followed by a list of 90 corporate advertisers who do not wish to advertise on Air America. . .

The letterhead says, "america listens to abc."