CORPORATE CRIME REPORTER
Washington
Nationals Sidewalk Ads Illegal, Being Removed
21 Corporate Crime Reporter 9, February 22, 2007
The Washington Nationals baseball team put down illegal chalk advertisements
on sidewalks in the District of Columbia this morning.
One such advertisement at the corner of Connecticut and K Streets urges passersby to “pledge allegiance” to the Nationals.
When asked whether the ads were legal, one of the workers putting down the ad said – “we were told it was okay by the company that hired us.”
What company is that?
“Massivemedia,” the worker said.
Massivemedia’s president Rob Rukstalis could not be reached for comment.
Washington Nationals spokesperson Chartese Burnett said that there was an “oversight” and that the ads are being removed this morning.
Erik Linden, a spokesperson for the District of Columbia’s Department of Transportation, says that such sidewalk ads are “against DC government regulations.”
“They are not permitted in the District of Columbia,” Linden said.”We will be informing the company that these advertisements are against District regulations and if they are not removed, they will be subject to fines.”
Linden said that under DC Municipal Regulation 24-104.9 (“Advertising device on sidewalk”) the company can be fined $150 per violation.
“Most companies know that these ads are not permitted in the District,” Linden said.
Linden said he was not sure what the enforcement history has been under that section of the law.
But Massivemedia specializes in these types of ads.
“Massivemedia’s team of talented street artists can transform the parking lots and sidewalks of trade shows, stadiums or high-traffic areas into appealing works-of-art featuring your brand image, logo or messages,” the firm claims on its web site. “Eye-catching and unexpected, these images are the best way to get your audience’s undivided attention, undistracted by competitive images.”
"This corporate graffiti is offensive and intolerable," said Gary Ruskin of Commercial Alert. "We urge Mayor Fenty to investigate the defacement of our streets with advertising, and punish wrongdoers to the extent the law allows. It is important to teach out-of-control advertisers to respect our public spaces and places."
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