Play the Game

Let US Decide Coalition took to the street and cell phones Mon to make its case against Viacom for rejecting a political ad on one of its cable nets last week. About 20 coalition reps, some wearing American flag bandanas, gathered outside Viacom’s NY HQ near Times Sq and phoned CEO Sumner Redstone’s office. Their goal: run "Play the Game," a spot made by coalition member Compare Decide Vote that contrasts positions by presidential candidates Bush and Kerry. Comedy Central initially approved the spot, then overruled it when the Viacom-owned net heard from corporate, citing long-running rules prohibiting issue advocacy messages. "In rejecting issue advertising, Viacom is blindfolding young Americans…saying they’re not interested in these issues," said Peter Glantz, "Play" producer. He tried to walk inside to Redstone’s office, but was politely detained by building security. The coalition intends to launch an advertiser boycott of Viacom cable channels soon, promoted in part by college newspaper ads. — Simon Applebaum