Florida's Governor, Charlie Crist asked BP (NYSE:BP) within the first month of the massive oil spill for $25 million to pay for advertising promoting how clean their beaches are, BP complied. Crist has asked BP for $50 million more two weeks ago, the company refused.
After the first $25 million was spent, tourism dropped anyway. Crist's main complaint is about how much money BP is using to promote themselves. He talked about how it appears the company is spending a lot on newspaper and television ads plugging their efforts on coping with the oil spill.
Looking annoyed and upset the governor said, " To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement." The state has lined up an expert legal team, " and we're ready if BP doesn't do the right thing." He didn't use the word lawsuit but did continue on saying, " We're trying to force them to do the right thing, like they say they're doing in there commercials."
According to Crist, the whole state has been tarred by the perception that their beaches are tainted. In reality, only 10 percent of Florida's beaches have actually seen any oil. The Panhandle beaches are the only ones that have seen tar balls, thick oil, or tar mats. He claims its destroying Florida's $65 million tourist industry.
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Well, the perception that there is oil on every beach in Florida comes because the press (mainly NPR) doesn't do anything then report about oil on the beaches. And let's not forget all those never-heard-of-before politicians who also feel the need to talk about oil on birds etc... This has nothing to do with BP's ads.
ReplyDeleteSo Florida wants $75 million to spend on advertising promoting their $65 million tourism industry...and I wonder why BP is denying the claim.
ReplyDeleteThe article got it wrong -- the industry contributes about US$ 65 billion in tourism/recreation taxable sales.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida tourism industry should be going after the press, like NBC and CBS and all of the other news broadcasting companies which have been grossly embellishing how bad the beaches are, not BP.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida tourism industry should be going after the press, like NBC and CBS and all of the other news broadcasting companies which have been grossly embellishing how bad the beaches are, not BP.
ReplyDeleteIt's not surprising,I wondered how long it would take others to go to BP for money. They are paying legitimite claims--not the what if, or it may happen. Blame the news media for the lack of tourism.
ReplyDeleteBlame it on BUSH,
ReplyDeleteI know that doesn't make any sense, but hey! Good enough for Obungler, its good enough for me!