Skip to main content
When KATU-TV pulled the plug last week on what was described as the first-ever primetime network TV marijuana business commercial, it seemed like the airwaves remained off-limits to pot for now.
But Alex Rogers, the man behind the commercial, says KATU
wasn't his only option, and he's found greater success outside of Portland.
He says the same commercial is now airing on both KMTR in
Eugene and KTLV in Medford.
The commercial in question is a 30-second spot for the upcoming Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference. It features Rogers, the conference's executive producer, talking about the event and the recent legalization of marijuana in Oregon.
Rogers tells WW he approached KMTR and KTLV at the same time as KATU, and both of the other networks started airing the commercial last week. He says both networks have run commercials for Rogers' Ashland Alternative Health clinic in the past.
The ad was scheduled to air on KATU beginning on Aug. 19
and continuing throughout the weeks leading up to the conference on Sept.
12-13. KATU officials were initially willing to air the spot, which they categorized
as a business ad rather than a pot ad.
However, according to KATU general manager John Tamerlano,
the network yanked the commercial when other media began reporting that it would
be the first of its kind to air on primetime network TV.
"That check was returned to me void as quick as you can say
Jack Robinson," says Rogers. "There was nothing more to say."
Representatives in charge of sales at KMTR and KTLV did not
return WW's requests for comment.
WWeek 2015