The Strange Case of Riverfront Media and John Kerry: Media Company Threatens Lawsuit Against Kerry

"Many people are associating us with the Democratic Party and it is hurting business."

Yet, to hear it you'd think that it would be wonderful PR with such a popular candidate and populist party. /sarcasm off

ping

KERRY HAD TO GET 6MIL DOLLARS SOME WHERE TO PAY OFF TESS HOUSE LOAN.

That was my first thought, too.

ping

I would like to know how this plays out. Whoever tracks down this mystery, please ping me. As y'all know, I write a weekly, national column. Get this information to me, and I can guarantee at least one "media outlet" for the story.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

I don't understand why I should contribute to a lawsuit by theis company. It seems to me tat, if true, this is something that should be brought to the attention of the FEC for investigation. It would be fraudulaent reporting of campaign expenses.

Apparently, there are two completely different websites, riverfrontmedia [.com] and [.net]. The two are not related. The .net is registered to GMMB in Washington, DC and it apparently the riverfrontmedia that developed Kerry's ads.

More info on this:

Developing: The Kerry Campaign Con

Mr. Cox, the Art Director/Create Consultant for Riverfront Media [.com], stated that there is no connection between GMMB and Riverfront Media, even though GMMB purchased the domain name riverfrontmedia.net.

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This ad is linked from the GMMB website (which is currently under construction) for a copywriter postion listed on Yahoo Hotjobs:

Want to write great ads for causes you care about?

Want to do great ads for causes and issues you care about? GMMB, a major DC advertising & communications agency with high profile clientele & public service orientation is seeking Copywriters at the Junior and Senior level for 130+ person organization. Develop campaigns on the environment, child health, education & Democratic campaigns in a terrific, fun environment.

3+ years agency experience writing copy for TV, Print & Radio ads, imagination, and creative ideas a must. Send resume & samples (TV, Radio & Print) to HR@gmmb.com Attn: HR-SC4 No phone calls please.

GMMB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Why would the Kerry camp list a company in Illinois as the ad creator when the actual company (GMMB) is in Washington, DC? Kerry's got some 'splainin' to do!

ping

My post #9 on this thread gives more info.

Nah, the $6 mil is for the Botox treatments.

"Hey, Mrs Ketchup-Kerry, why does Heinz 57 stand for the number of overseas factories they have, hmmm?"

"This is the worst bunch of crooks & liars I've ever seen... it's scary."

Neither Riverfront Media LLC nor River Front Media LLC is listed with the Illinois Secretary of State.

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/cgi-bin/business_services/corpsrch.s

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)

Who is Steve Emerson?

What's worse for Kerry is now everyone knows which air charter company he uses. If Hillary's people find out and she can talk her way onto the ticket, I forsee a major safety incident in that company's future.

Neither Riverfront Media LLC nor River Front Media LLC is listed with the Illinois Secretary of State.

But GMMB is...

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/cgi-bin/business_services/corp.s?ID=63422657&CTYPE=01

America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America
http://12thman.us/media/jihad.rm (Requires RealPlayer)

Who is Steve Emerson?

Seems there is even more confusion:

http://www.gmmb.us/ was listed in a google search for GMMB.

Per my post #9 above, GMMB is referenced on WHOIS as the registrant of RIVERFRONTMEDIA.NET, the company that apparently developed Kerry's ads.

Per the link above (http://www.gmmb.us/), GMMB is a musical group, Girlie Man Micro Brains (GMMB), and IS associated with RIVERFRONTMEDIA.COM.

http://www.gmmb.us/ [associated with RIVERMEDIA.COM] posted this on their website:

Because no news source bothers to check the facts on any press releases, my business is recieving the hate mail from John kerry's commercials because a huge company called GMMB & SDD decided to use our name, Riverfront Media, which any reasonable person would think is us after an internet search, and we have been forced to make websites like this as to not be associated with them. We make demo's for musicians not boring political commercials, we own the name Riverfront Media because we had it first.

Now the question is: Who is SDD of GMMB & SSD?

http://homepage.mac.com/gobzine/gmmb.html

Girlie Man Micro Brains produced by Riverfront Media
"I got so much flo I kiss my own grits you a dingy ass ho without any hits"

and coming soon the GMMB & SDD split cd

(Girlie Man Micro Brain and Some Dofus Defecated)

GMMB IS A CURRENT ART PROJECT OF DARREN "DAZ" COX.

I found this too....

Sr. Account Manager

GMMB is seeking a Senior Account Manager for its Seattle, WA office. GMMB is one of America's top strategic communications firms. In the last 20 years, GMMB has helped elect world leaders, worked to reposition the brands of major organizations, educated families about children's health and safety, fought to protect the environment and helped bring corporate willpower and resources to bear on tough social problems. Today, GMMB has a staff of over 150, on two coasts.

The position, working on behalf of major national organizations, is responsible for developing messages, speeches, and press releases that communicate information in a fresh and strategic way. Qualified candidates will have 10+ years experience in communications and demonstrated experience in media relations, account management and strategy. Experience in speech writing, strategy documents, newsletters & news releases a must. Experience with education policy issues is a plus. Essential qualities include excellent writing and communication skills, strategic thinking, strong research and analytic skills and a creative, self-starting approach.

Submit resume, writing samples & salary history to HR@gmmb.com Attn: HR-SAM1, or fax it to (202) 338-2334. No phone calls, please.

GMMB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Some discussion at this board http://www.bobbeckel.com/board/read.php?TID=201

and others http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=riverfront+media+kerry&btnG=Google+Search

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=6270

Washington Prowler
Kerry Schemes and Lies Print Friendly Format
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By The Prowler
Published 3/11/2004 12:08:35 AM

IN WHOSE COMPANY?
So what is the mysterious "Riverfront Media" firm that the campaign of Sen. John Kerry claims produced its anti-President Bush TV ads?

In a surprising move -- at least for a media company -- a firm in Illinois, Riverfront Media, is denying that it had anything to do with the Kerry campaign's negative advertisements. On its website it posted this message:

"As far as we know, we are the only Riverfront Media in Illinois. We are going to try to get a retraction from his campaign since we have been getting phone calls and email pertaining to these ad's. Many people are associating us with the Democratic Party and it is hurting business. We work hard for all of our clients and artists and we do not need undeserving BAD publicity. We do not claim a political association with any party, and do not support (or even dislike) any candidate, but may have to seek legal action to get this MAJOR problem resolved."

People are combing through Kerry's financial reporting looking for interesting tidbits on how the campaign is spending its limited resources. Riverfront Media has been one such -- staggering -- expense, surpassing $6 million in total "media" and "advertisements" payments since last August 29. (Click here and here.) This from a campaign famous for being strapped.

Web bloggers have been posting the financial reports. Journalists such as Slate's Mickey Kaus have been challenging others to find such items as Bob Shrum's pay on the itemized expense list. No luck there, Mickey.

"It was a mistake. It was a different Riverfront Media in another state," says a Kerry campaign source. Which state? "I don't know."

While it's too early to be getting conspiratorial about the operations of the Kerry camp, lack of information about its media buys and producers is interesting. Could Kerry be employing as a media consultant someone the campaign would prefer not be made public?