Telecom and media reform group Free Press on Thursday launched a new campaign to sway the public’s perception of the wireless merger between AT&T and T-Mobile with a new set of online parodies.
The four spots parody T-Mobile’s television ads with two smug-sounding women representing the telecom companies and a hapless-looking guy representing customers.
The ads present Free Press’ view that the merger wouldn’t benefit customers, would lead to higher wireless bills, fewer jobs and less innovation.
The group wants online viewers to vote on their favorite video so that it can place the ad on television.
The videos also take their viewers to a form that enables individuals to fire off a letter to the Federal Communications Commission to oppose the merger.
“We’ve done a lot to supply facts and figures that we think make a very compelling argument against this merger, but that’s only half the battle — there’s people’s hearts as well as their minds, so this is one way to try and get there,” said Josh Levy, Free Press’ online campaign manager.
As of this moment, public opinion about the merger seems to be fractured. Microsoft and Facebook support the merger, as do several venture capitalists, as does the Communications Workers of America.
But earlier this month, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation dropped its previous stated support of the merger after its initial letter to the Federal Communications Commission sparked off a controversy among its own members.
Many members of Congress are already skeptical about the mergers’ stated benefits. The head of the Senate antitrust subcommittee Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) on Wednesday called for its rejection.
The proposed merger is being reviewed for its impact on the marketplace by both the Justice Department and the FCC.
An example of one of Free Press’ videos is below. For others surf over to the group’s site.
