Mediaweek: Nets Sue Flying J for Piracy
I stopped into a Flying J last night in Oak Grove, Ky. After the usual stops inside the plaza I arrived at the C-store counter to pay for my favorite energy drink. It suddenly occurred to me that I had actually heard some story concerning Flying J somewhere… Not being certain about this, I struck up a conversation starting with an inquiry into said story. The sales clerk responded with an obviously Bill Clinton type answer of denial. Actual quote was, “I don’t know, I don’t watch TV.” After pointing out to him that I hadn’t said anything about it being a news item on TV, the transaction continued through a period of awkward silence. Just before departing, the clerk could no longer hold his silence and a short nervous laugh coupled with the usual “thanks for your business” comment, escaped.

Becoming increasingly aware that I had just witnessed a bungled attempt at what was no doubt managerial command of silence, I returned to the Sleeperberth Studios (my big-rig) and got to googling for the story. That is when I came across several articles pertaining to the Networks of ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox
lodging a complaint (some sources are calling it a lawsuit) about the repurposing of advertising.

I’ve wondered about this for several years. Everytime I’d enter a Flying J Restaurant to eat I’d be assailed with ads directly targeted for my general needs as a driver. The practice made sense, yet I wondered at the cost involved in appeasing the networks greed as well what kind of profit they were making in selling this advertising. I had never looked into to there other services offered on their TON Services website. Quite ingenius of them to be able to turn a profit of $30,000 a month for the running of a 30 second ad spot. And of course question answered…. they were just doing it. The american dream. Just do it!
[GP:FLYJOG]