CNN Yanks Ad Calling Zahn "Sexy"

Associated Press ^ | January 7, 2001 | David Bauder

[willieroe]

NEW YORK (AP) — Embarrassed CNN executives on Monday yanked an on-air promotion that referred to anchorwoman Paula Zahn as ``sexy,'' accompanied by the sound effect of a zipper.

The 15-second spot promoting Zahn's morning news show aired about a dozen times on CNN Saturday and Sunday, the network said.

In the ad, a narrator asks, ``Where can you find a morning news anchor who's provocative, super-smart (and) oh, yeah, just a little sexy?

``CNN, yeah, CNN,'' the narrator answers.

The words ``provocative,'' ``smart'' and ``sexy'' are flashed on the screen, followed by a picture of Zahn. The zipper is clearly audible just as the narrator is about to call Zahn ``sexy.''

CNN said the advertisement was created and put on the air by its promotions department — by a woman — and not approved by top executives.

Jamie Kellner, chairman of CNN parent Turner Broadcasting, ordered it removed from the air as soon as he saw it, spokesman Brad Turell said.

``It was a major blunder by our promotions department,'' CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson said. ``I was outraged and so was Paula, who has spent more than 20 years proving her credibility day in and day out.''

Zahn said she was offended by the promotion when she saw it.

``CNN management has apologized to me and has assured me that a mistake like this will not happen again,'' she said.

The former CBS News personality was hired to anchor CNN's new morning news show last year from Fox News Channel, where she was host of an evening talk show.

CNN received some criticism last year for hiring former ``NYPD Blue'' actress Andrea Thompson as an anchor for CNN Headline News, then was red-faced when risque pictures of her turned up on the Internet.

Kellner, a former Hollywood-based executive who started the Fox and WB networks, has repeatedly said CNN had to be more aggressive in promoting itself.

``A promotion like that is unrelated to her professional abilities and you can't help but think it's a promotion we would be unlikely to hear about a male anchor,'' said Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio and Television News Directors Association.

Turell characterized the promotion's statement that Zahn is sexy as an error in judgment, ``whether it's true or not.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Too funny.

Well, CNN gets a little free advertisement out of it with no repercussions because they aren't FOX.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Oh, this just gets better and better. I hadn't seen the spot before about 5 mins ago, when Brit Hume used it as the kicker to Special Report. He also reported that CNN had yanked the promo. Then his nightly tag line, "Fox News, fair, balanced, unafraid and not in the least bit.......SEXY" (insert the zipper special effect here)! It was classic.

[ken5050]

Watch..Fox will hire the CNN person who did the ads, as soon as she gets fired, and give her a new job to do promos for Alan Colmes.....that "sexy" guy...

[tallhappy]

CNN said the advertisement was created and put on the air by its promotions department — by a woman — and not approved by top executives.

"By a woman" -- what difference does that make?

It shows CNN took it off not because it is not appropriate to be calling news people sexy but because of some dumb Political Correct thing.

CNN proves they are even more out to lunch than we thought.

This is a laugh riot.

[FreedomPoster]

I saw Brit's close too! I was ROTFLMBO! That was classic. I wish I had it on tape.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Darth Vader voice: THIS IS (ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIP) C.N.N.

[jrherreid]

Nooo CNN--eet ees too sexy!

But I must!

[a_witness]

``It was a major blunder by our promotions department,'' CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson said. ``I was outraged and so was Paula, who has spent more than 20 years proving her credibility day in and day out'' and managed to squander it by having an affair with CNN.

[riverrunner]

If the shoe fits.

[AlGone2001]

``CNN management has apologized to me and has assured me that a mistake like this will not happen again,'' she said.

This was not a mistake. It was thoroughly planned, and I'm sure that they paid a lot of money for the ad. She asked for it by going to that network.

[BC21]

Since Aaron Brown practically called for Geraldo to be fired and "disbarred" from being a journalist, I'm sure he'll run a big 15 minute segment about CNN's unprofessionalism on tonights broadcast with Howie Kurtz and the gang as his panel.

[demkicker]

CNN is busted! What a pimp network! Hahahahahahahaha!

[the]

[the]

Forgot my caption:

Nope, no zippers here.

The sound must have been from the zipper-heads at CNN.

[FresnoDA]

 

Paula has developed a keen taste for Buffalo Burgers.

"Taste yummh, Teddy!!"

ZZZZIIIIIPPPPPPP!!!!!!

[hawaiian]

DOES ANYONE HAVE A COPY OF THE AD? on Real Video or something? I would LOVE to see it!

[hawaiian]

end font

[BC21]

I don't have the copy, but you can catch the rerun of it tonight on Brit Hume's show, which will air it at about 12:58 am EST, or 9:58 pm PST.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Watch or tape the replay of Special Report with Brit Hume on Fox tonight. It's in the last 5 mins of the show.