2015: Politicians stunned as CNN turns down political ads

As the 2015 general election advances, plan by Nigerian politicians to lavish finances on publicity in foreign media has hit the brick wall as the CNN is reported to be rejecting political advertisements.

It was gathered that several politicians are stupefied by the new reality that the American international cable channel, has resolved to be rejecting commercials with political messages.

A consultant to one of the presidential aspirants told TheCable that, “We approached CNN agents in Nigeria to place some adverts for our principal. We sent the creatives to them as requested and they returned them, saying they do not run commercials that are intended to campaign for votes. We could not believe it.”

Similarly, a consultant, who is very much involved in working for the re-election bid of a state governor, recounted the same experience, saying his team never anticipated that.

Meanwhile, the account manager of CNN International, Ashley Hogan-Gancarz, informed the online medium that there was a general rule not to accept certain advertisements, adding that it was not targeted against Nigerian politicians.

According to him, “CNN International never accepted political or religious advertising. This is due to Ofcom regulations.

“If you want to promote investment opportunities, etc. that would be fine, but nothing to do with politics or the 2015 election.”

Ofcom is the regulator of the broadcast industry in the United Kingdom, from where CNN International oversees its operations in Africa.

Advert rates in CNN are among the most expensive in the world as the medium charges up to N5m for a 30-second spot at prime time.

That notwithstanding, not a few Nigerian companies and politicians typically value the prestige it accords them above the economic cost.

This has gone ahead to spark a bandwagon effect where many do all they can to get on the international network.

Analysts believe that CNN’s rejection of 2015-related adverts would trigger the redirection of billions hitherto budgeted on such campaign to Nigeria’s local media. It is expected that part of the advertising budget, which used to go to CNN would now be expended internally.