Idaho Statesman: AOL Tries to Kiss and Make Up With Us
AOL Loves Boise
AOL, after running an ad in New York City for its new AOL9.0 Optimized using the tagline, "You Didn’t Think We'd Launch Something Like This in Boise, Did You?" has apologized to the city of Boise by offering a $25,000 check to the Boise School District, hosting a Counting Crows concert and handing out thousands of t-shirts and bumper stickers stating, "AOL Loves Boise." AOL SVP of Brand Promotions Richard Taylor was present at a staged event and offered an apology saying, "Now, Boise is not only our number two stop on our rollout, it also is going to be a chance for us to eat crow in style."
Of course the entire apology event was just another excuse for AOL to further promote its new offering. Not all were pleased. "I thought it was kind of a slam what they said about Boise," said Rob Webb, a Boise resident. "I thought it was disgusting, and I didn’t think it was funny at all."
The sentiment in the city was not entirely negative and Mayor Carolyn Terteling-Payne accepted AOL's apology before a crowd of 200 onlookers.
