September 25, 2008 - Virginia-based
firm Smart Media, which conducts media buying around the country for the McCain
campaign, sent out this urgent memo this afternoon addressed to "All
National Managers."
RE: Suspend all McCain for President Advertising "As you are aware, the John McCain for President Campaign has suspended all campaigning to address the current national financial crisis. Effective 5pm today, September 24th, 2008, all advertising for the McCain for President Campaign must cease. Please notify your stations immediately."
A West coast media buying executive not working with the McCain camp tells NBC News that pulling ads isn't quite as easy as sending out such a directive. "Stations are telling me it can't happen," says the exec. "The campaign knows that it can't happen." That's because computer logs with already-scheduled ad placements may already be locked in.
The ad buyer adds that stations will likely have problems trying to stop ads from running tonight, and some may not be able to get off the air by tomorrow.