by TRC_Admin | Apr 26, 2019 | Billboards, Controversial, Sky
Illustration: StartRocket on Space.com
“A major soft drink company says it will not pursue plans to advertise its products in space using a Russian startup, avoiding what likely would have been significant public criticism.
The publication Futurism reported April 13 that PepsiCo’s Russian subsidiary was working with a startup there called StartRocket to advertise an energy drink called ‘Adrenaline Rush’ using satellites. The company has proposed flying a set of small satellites in formation, reflecting sunlight with Mylar sails to create logos or other advertising messages visible from the ground after sunset and before sunrise.
In one illustration on StartRocket’s website, a logo of a fictional soft drink company, “LocaCola,” is visible in the night sky over a city. ‘Space has to be beautiful. With the best brands our sky will amaze us every night,’ the website states.
Olga Mangova, a spokesperson for PepsiCo Russia, told Futurism that the company had agreed to partner with StartRocket on an orbital advertising campaign. ‘Orbital billboards are the revolution on the market of communications,’ she said. However, PepsiCo’s headquarters in the United States has shot down the idea. ‘We can confirm StartRocket performed an exploratory test for stratosphere advertisements using the Adrenaline GameChangers logo,’ a company spokesperson told SpaceNews April 15. ‘This was a one-time event; we have no further plans to test or commercially use this technology at this time…’
Federal law in the United States restricts the ability of companies to perform such advertising. A provision of law covering commercial space transportation prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving launch licenses for payloads that are for the purpose of ‘obtrusive space advertising,’ which is defined as ‘advertising in outer space that is capable of being recognized by a human being on the surface of the Earth without the aid of a telescope or other technological device.’ The law does not prohibit other forms of advertising, including placing logos on the sides of launch vehicles or spacecraft.
The law, though, only applies to payloads that would be launched commercially on an American vehicle, and would only apply to a venture like StartRocket if it chose to launch its satellites on such a rocket.
— Jeff Foust, Space.com
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by TRC_Admin | Apr 1, 2019 | Billboards, Controversial, Derelict Structures
Photo: CBC News Nova Scotia
“People driving on the south shore of Nova Scotia might feel a little lost after seeing a bewildering road sign near Port Mouton…
The sign — on Highway 103 a few kilometres before exit 21 — appeared in late August when, according to the Department of Transportation, a local Best Western took down its billboard, revealing the patchwork underneath…”
— CBC News, Nova Scotia
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by TRC_Admin | Feb 11, 2019 | Codes, Controversial, Litter
Photo: WJHG.com News 7
“Empty beach chairs won’t occupy large swaths of the prime Walton County coastline next tourist season if the South Walton Community Council has its way.
The council, represented at Tuesday’s County Commission by John Reichenbach, wants to see some pretty drastic changes to the way beach vendors conduct business.
“We think it’s critical we get behind a managed beach vendor program,” Reichenbach told commissioners.
Among the changes proposed by the Community Council is a regulation that would “eliminate ghost chairs” by requiring vendors to set up their chairs only after a beach-going customers arrive and remove it when they leave.
Although he came to the meeting prepared for discussion, Reichenbach will have to wait until next year for a public hearing on beach code revision recommendations.
Before he even stood to speak, commissioners voted to postpone any discussion Tuesday and schedule a forum for Jan. 9 to debate what will likely be a long series of beach management proposals…
Walton County has heard complaints for years about vendors taking up too much beach space by setting up chairs that nobody sits in. They’ve also heard that vendors are too aggressive or that they set up dozens of chairs in prime locations along the water early in the morning before locals and visitors can claim a spot.
Like many other things along the beaches of South Walton, the vendor issues were exacerbated this year by the implementation of House Bill 631, which led to squabbling over customary use of the beach and private property rights.
Along with its call to eliminate ghost chairs, the South Walton Community Council also recommended that the number of beach vendor permits be limited and that a code enforcement officer or paid beach monitor be employed to watch for ordinance violations.”
— Tom Mclaughlin, NWF Daily News
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Read additional WJFG article on possible regulations
by TRC_Admin | Feb 11, 2019 | Bus Shelter, Controversial, Interactive Advertising
Video: Fox 35, Orlando
“The very lifelike naked mannequin is an ad for Netflix’s “Altered Carbon”
A squishy, gooey, breathing advertisement is drawing double-takes even in too-cool West Hollywood.
On a Santa Monica Boulevard bus shelter, the plastic pouch containing a very lifelike naked mannequin is an ad for Netflix’s sci-fi drama “Altered Carbon.”
Those who dare to poke it find a creepily lifelike fleshy texture. Gel-like goo oozes around the body, which breathes…”
— Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News
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Watch Video on Fox 35, Orlando
by TRC_Admin | Apr 30, 2018 | Controversial, Feather Flags
Video: Florida Times-Union
“As a petition is posted on change.org demanding a Jacksonville city inspector be fired for citing a Westside store for flying military flags, Mayor Lenny Curry has put her on administrative leave after video of her finger-wagging confrontation with employees and a veteran went viral.
Curry also has ordered a review of the employee’s actions as he rescinded the citation she wrote for flying them on either side of American flags at Jaguar Power Sports, a motorcycle dealership at 4680 Blanding Blvd.
The mayor’s City Hall statement said the employee’s supervisor is also on leave following the Monday citation and subsequent argument with staff as well as a customer, a military veteran who was apparently told ‘you did nothing for our country.’
‘The flags can fly,’ confirmed city spokeswoman Tia Ford, after Curry’s statement offered apologies to the customer.
‘Employees of the City of Jacksonville are the servants of taxpayers who have a duty to enforce our laws and regulations. I expect every one of them to do that job in a manner that is respectful and reflects the privilege we all have to serve this great city,’ Curry’s statement said in part. ‘What I saw reported is 100 percent inconsistent with how I expect every city employee to interact with our citizens. I have ordered a review of the actions of the employee and pending the completion of that review, the employee and her supervisor have been placed on leave.’
News of the confrontation in the store surfaced when its manager, Shaun Jackrel, posted a video explaining what happened when city inspector Melinda Power came in to discuss another issue with him. Then she issued a warning for the number of flags flying above the entrance: twin American flags flanked by others representing different branches of the U.S. military. Power wrote down that the flag violation fell under the city code for zoning limitations on signs, according to Times-Union media partner WJCT-FM…
When city officials learned of the citation, Chief of Staff Brian Hughes said they were reviewing the facts of the case as well as ordinances regarding flags and signs, according to First Coast News, another Times-Union media partner. Hughes also noted that the Mayor’s Office was in communication with the business…”
— Dan Scanlan, Florida Times-Union
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by TRC_Admin | Feb 28, 2018 | City Signs, Controversial, Legal
Photo: NWF Daily News
“Two residents of Holiday Isle in Destin were cited by the neighborhood’s Holiday Isle Improvement Association this week for violating the organization’s sign codes, but they believe the citations could potentially be politically motivated.
Alan Osborne and Robyn Wehunt both have had posted campaign signs promoting candidates in the past without any issues.
However, both received citations from the Holiday Isle Improvement Association within hours of posting signs promoting charter boat Capt. Gary Jarvis’ campaign for mayor. Jarvis’ opponent in the race is current Mayor Scott Fischer, the director of the Holiday Isle Improvement Association’s board of directors.
‘Selective enforcement is the first step to control a government in socialism,’ said Osborne. ‘When it comes to rules, they either apply to everybody or nobody when your job is to represent the people.’
Wehunt agreed to have a ‘Captain Gary Jarvis for Mayor of Destin’ sign posted in her front yard after a member of Jarvis’ campaign committee asked her permission.
‘I left to pick up my daughter from school and by the time I came home, I found a citation on my front door,’ Wehunt said.
Wehunt and Osbourne both said they have posted Trump signs in their yards in the past without being cited.
The signage rules and regulations for Holiday Isle are posted on the improvement association’s website and state that signs are prohibited in the right of ways, and only ‘For Rent’ or ‘For Sale’ signs shorter than four feet tall and two feet square in any given area are allowed.
Throughout the neighborhood, ‘Scott Fischer Mayor’ signs that include the phrase ‘preserving the heritage of Destin’ are displayed prominently on personal vehicles in driveways. The magnetic signs are within HOA code, according to Fischer, who said that he hasn’t attended any association meetings or read any emails regarding association issues and is not in any position to comment due to the upcoming election…”
— Maddie Rowley, NWF Daily News
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