WPXI False advertising in promoting themselves

[MrHasselblad]

WPXI (Pittsburgh NBC market) has recently been observed as participating in falsely advertising themselves when promoting their own station and newscasts; specifically certain claims made directly by one of their weather staff- Julie.

In one of the stations promotional advertisements Julie specifically states that she is a lifelong resident. Does she mean the Pittsburgh region? Or could it be of the United States? If it is indeed the U.S. then the statement is indeed accurate. If she is infering that it might be the Pittsburgh region; then the facts tend to show otherwise.

As the WPXI website specifically shows that Julie is not a lifelong Pittsburgh resident.

What exactly is going on at the station? Did this promotional advertisement manage to completely slip through any type of review process? What happened to editing for content or management oversight? Even after weeks of airing the advertisement has nobody still caught it?

The station has been informed of their series of errors by telephone, email, and written letter; all with no return reply.

Given the facts of the issue, and also that it is a station promoting itself; doesn't this clearly qualify as false advertising?

This also shows to the character and credability of both the (entire) station and specifically Julie.

 

[Lensmith]

This also shows to the character and credability of both the (entire) station and specifically Julie.

Speaking of "character and credability"...thanks for the "first post".

 

[JoeyO38]

Wow... sounds as though you had a date planned with Julie and she stood you up.

That's a lot of hate over one measly promo...

 

[MtnShooter]

Maybe she became a Born-again after she moved to the area. That would make her a life-long resident.

But I agree with Joey... you come off pretty miffed about this. Trust me: There are much more serious things to get upset about.

 

[Baltimore's Finest Fotog]

It is deceitful and irresponsible. Julie and whoever produced the spot should know better. That's just plain dumb. But, then again, consider how many meteorologists change their name to some absurd weather-related alias. That to me is also just silly. What, you lose credibility or appeal if your name doesn't sound like a weather condition? I always reference Amy Freeze, who used to work in Philly before, I believe, taking a job in Chicago. Now, I don't know for a FACT that Freeze is not her birth name, but there have been plenty of threads on this forum about such names that lead me to believe it is "false advertisement" of her person. To those who know Ms. Freeze, don't take it the wrong way. She may be a fine person, I just think it's odd for someone to make up a name for air.

Back to the thread's topic...it's a dumb move in my book. But, I'm with the others, you seem too fired up about this.

 

[Canonman]

Whatever... don't be dogging Julie. She is about the nicest, most unpretentious on-air talent I have had the joy of watching while working here in DFW. A great laugh and beautiful smile.

Yeah... I was a fan. Hated to see her leave, but it was chance to get back home and out of the morning show gig.

cm

 

[Grip]

Maybe she became a Born-again after she moved to the area. That would make her a life-long resident.

BBBBBWAAAA HA HA HA HA AH HA HA HA HA nice, best post I have read all year


oh yeah.... its just a promo Hasselblad, and what does it matter........

 

[Foxwood]

Who cares? Once it's TV and you put on the make-up, it's all fake.

 

[Wideangle]

Julie Bologna
Chief Meteorologist for Channel 11 News at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on WPXI and Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10.

Julie Bologna is the chief meteorologist for Channel 11 News at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. on WPXI and Channel 11 News on Fox 53 at 10. Julie returns to Pittsburgh and Channel 11 after working in Dallas/Fort Worth as a morning meteorologist for KTVT/KTXA-TV. Before that, she was the morning and noon meteorologist at WPXI and PCNC for 5 years.

Julie has covered many different types of weather. She's no stranger to snowstorms in the Pittsburgh area as well as in the Northeast. She's traveled to the Carolina's to cover Hurricane Floyd as it made landfall as a major hurricane. She's handled wall-to-wall coverage for flooding and tornadoes. She's also led viewers through continuous coverage for several ice storms and major snow storms.

Julie has worked in several cities in Pennsylvania including: Philadelphia (WPHL-TV), Harrisburg (WHP/WLYH-TV), and Altoona (WTAJ-TV). She's also worked at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH and WTRF-TV in Wheeling, WV. She began her career in radio at WMBA-AM in Ambridge, PA as a news anchor and co-host.

Julie is a native Pittsburgher. She grew up in Center Twp., Beaver County and graduated with a degree in journalism from Penn State University, where she also minored in theater. She received her Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. She has been awarded the Seals of Approval from the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Julie has also been awarded two Emmys for Outstanding Weathercaster. She's also co-authored a book about weather called "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Extreme Weather."

Julie visits schools to talk to children about weather and to highlight career opportunities in science and communications. Julie loves to travel and enjoys learning about new people and places. She loves to check out new restaurants when she can. She enjoys baking, watching movies, swimming, and kickboxing. Her favorite thing is just hanging out with her husband and two sons.

Go Behind The Scenes of Julie's Return to Channel 11: Video | View Pictures

CONTACT:
E-Mail Julie

When I read this thread I expected to go to the WPXI website and read that this lady was from
anywhere but Pittsburgh. Well, if you read the above bio I took from the website, it clearly states that she is from Pittsburgh and although she has worked her way up the ladder, it's obvious that she has made an effort to work and live in the Pittsburgh area. Given all this, it's not a major stretch to call her a life-long resident as it looks as though the majority of her life
was and has been spent in that area, or at the very least in Pennsylvania.The more important question I pose is why MrHasselblad do you care? Are you a promotions director for one of the other Pittsburgh stations? I'm with everyone else on this one..Why is this so earth-shattering
to warrant you registering on this website and coming up with this crap as your introduction?

 

[MrHasselblad]

There are a number of unanswered questions in this issue. Let me first state to all of those whom have viewed and replied, I welcome your opinion. But perhaps it would be more appropriate to stay with the facts.

Anyone beyond a first semester JRN student should realize the significance and importance of something such as character and credability.

I'm curious about why anyone at WPXI hasn't even issues any type of brief reply. Also wondering if they've taken any type of possible corrective action to ensure that this type of false promotional advertisement doesn not occur again; such as... Possibly retraining nad more oversight and effective management.

-And to anyone whom seems that this is a relatively small issue... I've seen people fired for a lot less. Try padding ones resume or misrespresenting a few facts and see if it ends one on an unemployment line somewhere. Something this small can clearly effect the perception of the entire staff and station. It almost borders upon the lose cannon effect.

To answer a previous reply; yes, one would think that the station and it's staff would know better. One would usually expect more of a station in this market.

To conclude... I would still welcome any type of reply from any staff at the station as to their perspective on any of this. Did i also mention that I'm a lifelong resident of a three story penthouse on Grant Street?

 

[kylevision]

Do yourself a favor.....

and never post here again! Thanks, Every other b-roller.

 

[newz]

That's not anywhere near as bad as in what happened here. About 15 years ago, we (my station) had a chief meteorologist that claimed he had a AMS seal and BS degree. He didn't. When the local newspaper called our ND to get a quote for the story they were going to run about it the next day, he called in said meteorologist and fired his a** in 20 minutes.

Lesson here: don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[MrHasselblad]

A very valid issue from Newz.

I've seen nore than one local example of exactly what happens with the issue of false advertising; ofr instance with two relatively local automotive dealerships. One was fined well into the five digit range; the other being fined so extensively it had to transfer ownership.

Julie's claims and the (lack of proper) review process could actually cost both her and the station. They both seperately might want to get their legal department to review and cover on that one. The facts clearly stand on their own, and unfortunately don't back up Julie's claim.

Let me continue further by stating that I'm not at this time a legal professional, and am not qualitifed to give legal advice. But to anyone making claims that aren't exactly factual, one can get themselves in quite deep in both criminal and civil judegements- and very quickly. It could basically completely clean out just about anyones finances completely; including but not limited to the freezing of ones assets including an actual dwelling.

As example if owned the ABC Widget company, and someone falsely claimed they were working for me; they would be end up owing me considerably to say the least. Noting News example the AMS and the "school of the fake degree" would actually have a case on that individual. Even the station hiring the person would have a claim for any losses; although it would also literally prove a different type of lack of proper management oversight.

In conclusion, still waiting for any type of an answer from any individual from WPXI. It will likely never happen. It will also be interesting to see when the next example of false advertising will come from WPXI, and to see if they can actually make a start of a repair process to ensure that it never happens again; which is also unlikely.

 

[Spot remover]

Jeez....

Calm down, Francis...

Do you even work in TV? I mean, how many of us have seen bumps or teases that waaaay overstated the truth?

Example:

"A tri-state family narrowly escaped with their lives when their Ford Escort station wagon hit a fire hydrant, causing the driver to bruise his pinky"

Liar!
Liar!
Liar!
Liar!
Liar!
Liar!
Liar!

You:

"He just bruised his pinky! This "narrowly escaped with their lives" crap has Edward R Murrow spinning in his grave! I'm not, at this time, a legal professional, but this smacks of yellow journalism! Liar! This calls into question the integrity of the 22 y.o. morning producer and specifically the overnight photog who gathered the information!"

In the great scheme of things, it's enough you pointed it out to us. Good for you- we heard you- now go outside and play.

 

[MrHasselblad]

A few updates; even though WPXI and/or Julie Bologna have failed to acknowledge or reply.

Let the update show specifically that Julie Bologna of WPXI television (Pittsburgh, PA market) has misrepresented herself and engaged in false advertising in promoting the station. It's terribly difficult to believe that this type of activity would occur in this market and from a person whom claims to have this much experience.

In a promotional advertisement for the station Julie Bologna (her own words and image) states that she's a lifelong Pittsburgh resident. Since this is in fact not at all true; it makes one wonder what else Julie claims that isn't entirely accurate. It also specifically shows the lack of oversight at the station.

I'm presently working on both a link to show this and a completely seperate dedicated site as well.

It's difficult to believe that Julie has actually remained on air after all of this- especially after the station let go two other on-air people whom were indeed more qualified than herself. But now that the facts are on the internet for anyone to research; it remains unlikely that anyone would hire her given the facts of her misrepresentation.

 

[Wideangle]

"I'm presently working on both a link to show this and a completely seperate dedicated site as well."

Why don't you work on getting a life instead...Dude, you sound like a stalker. What did she do, turn you down for a date in high school?

 

[SoMissTV]

This just in....

I don't care.

 

[MtnShooter]

This thread made me wonder: Should anal retentive be hyphenated?

 

[56woodley]

Wow

So, if someone didn't live every waking moment of their life in Pittsburgh, they should not be delivering the news? I guess we should fire every newscaster then.

I would consider Julie Bologna a life-long Pittsburgher. She was born, raised, and lived only 25 miles outside of the city. I know since we went to High School together...then, after graduation to get a degree, she had to go away to college.

Yes, she spent some time working outside of the city, but come on, to claim false advertising??? She must have rejected you at some point to be this bitter against someone you don't even know! Julie is awesome and it is great to have her back in the 'Burgh.

I can see why no one at WPXI responded to you, I don't see why you can't see it.

 

[JoeyO38]

We do a promo where Nessie the Loch Ness Monster comes out of the Susquehanna River and causes a traffic jam... I guess that falls in the false advertising category as well?

It's just a matter of changing the words "life-long resident" to "she grew up in Pittsburgh."

I just don't see what the big deal is over this.