Lexington KY – A radio station thought they’d have a little fun and with their listeners during this year’s American Idol. The station offered “100 Grand” to the 10th caller in their contest. They were referring to the candy bar, not a cash payment. Unfortunately, one listener didn’t think it was so funny when she filed suit on Wednesday.
Norreasha Gill spent a pleasant evening listening to Lexington radio station Hot 102. She and her family had heard about the contest to win “100 Grand” on the night American Idol announced the winner for this season. After listening for over two hours, the time came and Gill placed her call. She got through and was the 10th caller. DJ Slick congratulated her on winning the “100 Grand.”
Gill went on and on about how she was going to take care of her family with $100,000 she won from the radio station. DJ Slick advised her to go to the local bank chain, Central Bank, and she could pick up her money in the morning. The following morning she went by the bank to pick up her money. She was then informed she would not receive the money. A radio station exec told her the contest was a joke.
The complaint asserts Gill had entered into a contract with the radio station or thought she had entered into a contract to receive $100,000. The complaint says that Cumulus Media and WRTO are in breach of contract.
The lawsuit against WLTO-102.5-FM owned by Cumulus Media Inc also says the radio station made false representation with the intent to “cheat, defraud and play a malicious joke upon the plaintiff before the entire listening audience.”
Gill, in the suit, demands the $100 grand “plus interest, punitive damages, her costs herein, a trial by jury, and all other proper relief.”
According to a story in the Lexington Herald-Leader, Gill said radio executives offered her $5000 before the lawsuit was filed. The FCC is also looking into the situation under the suggestion the radio station made false representations about the contest. DJ Slick has since left the radio station.
There are several lessons to be learned here. One, aim to the Ms. Gill, pranks happen. But the more important lesson to be learned is by radio stations and other marketers. If you promise things, particularly in radio or TV situations without clearly informing of the joke, then you have a reasonable expectation of getting clobbered in a lawsuit, the feds will investigate you and your station ends up the brunt of jokes.
Some may recall similar things in the past. Pepsi had an issue with a harrier jump jet during their Pepsi points contest and they’re certainly not the only ones. This story has been picked up on the national level, not just Lexington news sources. The complaint can be read at TheSmokingGun and it even got a mention on the Drudge Report. I’m glad I’m not the PR person doing damage control on this one. I’d feel like and idiot. Now the big question: “What would you do for $100 grand.”
John Stith is a staff writer for webproworld covering technology and business.