[i]Originally posted by svsniner[/i]@Jan 27 2005, 07:25 PM
[b] I just finished listening to that dumbass QCB's segment on the show... Packer did say that he knew our fans were pissed off. [/b]
I hope this e-mail to WFNZ's advertising deparment yesterday had an effect
Scott,
I am not a direct listener to WFNZ due to your limited range, although I do listen to every 49er basketball game over the internet. Based on what I have been reading on the Internet, I have to say that Mark Packer has really pissed off a lot of people in the Charlotte 49er community.
How can your station allow him to continually and undeservedly trash the Charlotte 49ers basketball program when they are a good hometown basketball program that actually SPONSORS Packerâs program, and your station?
Yes, we do not have the legacy of a Duke or Carolina in terms of history but we are trying to build one. His BS is poisoning the minds of listeners who might otherwise support the 49ers basketball program. What good is the Universityâs advertising if he mocks their commercials when they air by twisting their ad slogan into more of his childish tripe against all things non-ACC. Would you allow him to call Wilton Auto Body a bunch of rip-off artists on the air or announce that Town & Country Ford sells salvaged vehicles from hurricane ravaged Florida as new? Both would be untrue (I would hope) and slanderous, but how is that any different from trashing a sponsor that is a legitimately good basketball program on the verge of national ranking?
Yes, the 49ers have their faults and I have no problem with those faults being discussed on the air but there are two sides to the discussion and Packer is way out of line in his constant bashing. I guess it is true that people fear what they donât understand and that people who protest the loudest against something often do so out of jealousy. Mark canât tolerate Charlotte being more successful than most of the teams in his beloved ACC.
Like it or not, the fortunes of Charlotte graduates like myself can be impacted by the reputation of our athletic programs. Successful athletic programs build the prestige of the school, which reflects positively on me if I re-enter the job market. Markâs antics devalue my degree in the Charlotte labor market, hitting me where it hurts, my wallet. Iâm going to hit back.
He has his opinions and I have mine. My opinion is that he is a two-bit, childish hack that rode into town on his fatherâs coattails.
I am going to call, write, e-mail, blog, and chat with anyone who cares to listen about what a hack he is. I am going to contact his sponsors and express my displeasure with them for supporting his show. I am going to contact Charlotte 49er Basketball program sponsors and tell them how Packer is steering listeners away from 49er basketball games and broadcasts with his tripe, devaluing their advertising dollars. I am going to recommend that my friends, relatives, acquaintances, and co-workers do the same. The written and spoken word is a powerful tool, as you well know. The people of Charlotte are about to find out what kind of tool Packer is.
A pissed off 49er Fan
Edit: Scott Vandivierâs response
Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear you feel that way. But, you have to understand, if you listened to Primetime with the Packman, you would know that he is critical not just of Charlotte, but all teams that under perform, even my sales department. This includes UNC, Duke, South Carolina, Panthers, Clemson (his own alma matter), Wake Forest, etc. That is why his show is listener driven, it give those fans of the teams he is critical of a chance to call in and voice their opinion. It is what makes his show so popular.
Also, keep in mind, his opinions do not reflect those of WFNZâs. I am available for more thoughts and comments.
Scott Vandivier
General Sales Manager