Cartoon Network Chief Steps Down

Jim Samples' Resignation Comes After Marketing Stunt Caused Boston Bomb Scare

(AP)  The head of the Cartoon Network resigned Friday following a marketing stunt that caused a terrorism scare in Boston and led police to shut down bridges and send in the bomb squad.

The announcement of Jim Samples' resignation came in an internal memo to Cartoon Network staff members.

"It's my hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages," said Samples, who was the network's general manager and executive vice president.

He said he regretted what had happened and felt "compelled to step down, effective immediately, in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch."

Dozens of blinking electronic devices showing a crude cartoon character had been planted in 10 cities as part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to promote the cartoon "Aqua Teen Hunger Force." But when Boston authorities got a series of calls about the devices on Jan. 31, they feared the circuit boards with wires could be explosives.

Cartoon Network's corporate parent acknowledged a few hours into the scare that the boards were harmless and part of a marketing move.

On Monday, Turner Broadcasting and an advertising agency involved agreed to pay $2 million in compensation for the emergency response the devices had spurred in Boston. The Cartoon Network is a division of Atlanta-based Turner Broadcasting, whose parent is media giant Time Warner Inc.

The agreement between Turner, Interference Inc. and several state and local agencies resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the two companies.

Two men who authorities say were paid to place the devices in Boston have pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct. Peter Berdovsky, 27, whose attorney has said also videotaped part of the police response, and Sean Stevens, 28, both are free on bond.

Boston police found 38 of the blinking signs on Boston's bridges, Fenway Park and at other high-profile spots. The magnetic lights, depicting crudely drawn "Aqua Teen" characters giving the finger, also were place in nine other U.S. cities for a publicity campaign, but they sparked a scare only in Boston. The small signs had apparently been up for two or three weeks in Boston before the calls to authorities last week.

Turner spokeswoman Shirley Powell said neither Samples nor Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group, would grant media interviews Friday.

Samples, 44, has not taken another job yet, Powell said. A replacement for Samples, who had been with the company for 13 years, was not immediately announced.

All the publicity over the marketing stunt didn't translate into much of a marketing boost for the show the network was trying to promote. The cartoon averaged 386,000 viewers last week among its targeted demographic of 18-to-24-year-olds, according to Nielsen Media Research. The previous week, the show averaged a virtually identical 380,000 among young viewers.

[nothappyatall]

What good does it do to step down from his job? that's just plain stupid.

"Samples, 44, has not taken another job yet, "

IF anyone even wants to HIRE him now...

[tpeks40]

all because of some tight a$$ed Boston politicians. Change yer panties and get yer balls outta yer purses, ya bucnh of crybabies. oooooooooooh, the big mean cartoon lights are scary.....get a grip

[feelfree1]

Re: "Cartoon Network Chief Steps Down"

*** it! I thought this was a story about Cheney!

[wvce]

Hey Dunatay, how would you have liked it if Cartoon Net's public response had been "On this planet..we'll do whatever we want...whenever we want..."

[wvce]

He resigned over this? He should have resigned over "Inuyasha" and "Tom Goes To The Mayor".

[duntaday]

The show is on at 11:30 at night and sometimes later. I happen to enjoy it and I'm 36 years old. Obviously NOT part of the target demo they gave the numbers for. The total viewership is much higher I assure you, but on school nights it's hard to stay up that late, hence the sag in ratings across the board at that time of night. I think Boston is foolish and the mayor is a mealy mouthed blabberhead. Too bad Samples was forced to leave his post after his geak squad overreacted to such an innocuous comedic ad campaign. And the ad is for the MOVIE, not the show. The mayor should be fired in shame, not the head of Cartoon Net.
It's all so ridiculous.

[agnim]

Let the foolish heads fall. He should be lucky not to be jailed.

Too bad we can't do the same with the lost leader of the country who has not only terrorized Americans with fear mongering, but has caused the lost of thousands of American lives and American limbs!

[rray52]

I wonder what got him the axe, the 2 million settlement or the flat ratings?