On Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:03:53 -0400, "Lee Michaels"
wrote:


"Frank Boettcher" wrote

Actually, having worked for an underwriter, I believe it is they who
supply all those nice machines. And since they are restricted in the
manner in which they can hawk same, the agreement is usually that they
will be used on the show for appropriate operations.


Yabbut, blotting out the trademark will only fool the absolute novice. Most
people can recognize the brand of tool. Besides, isn't there a commercial
for the primary brand of tool on there anyway?

Of course it is recognizable, there is nothing wrong with that. Trade
marks are not even covered. But the product can only be shown in
actual use in the context of the particular show and Norm cannot
mention the brand name. I believe that is honest at least compared to
commercials where all kinds of outlandish claims can be made with no
verification.

Yes the "underwriter" rules give you so many seconds to identify the
company, their primary business, and you can show as many shots of
products in use during that time.


Sooo....., there may be some restrictions. But the the company (Delta) gets
pretty good exposure anyway, even with the restrictions.

Yes, and they pay dearly for that exposure just as they would on a non
PBS ad. The difference is that they are not paying for ads by the
minutes they are paying a contract price to underwrite the show for
the season.

Again, I am not complaining or implying anything improper. I just thinks it
smacks of the elitist, arrogant PBS culture. It just seems a little
hypocritical to me.

Mixed feelings about PBS in general. But several of my favorite local
shows are there. Local being shows like Mississippi Outdoors and
others that I really enjoy. I don't like the begathons, strongly
believe the underwriting funding and limited public funding is best.
Underwriting brings quality, if no one watches, no underwriting.

Frank