NBC Kicks Off New Drama ‘The Cape’ In An Unprecedented Partnership With The New York City Department Of Parks And Recreation To ‘Cape’ Historic Heroes

Photo Via Animal NY

TV By The Numbers is reporting on a disturbing new marketing campaign that not only descerates New York City monuments, but also brings advertising far too close to one of the last public spaces on which it is not allowed. The concept is wrap 30 NYC statues with a cape similar to that worn by the protagonist on NBC's new superhero drama. Not to be taken lightly, the cultural implications of this joint venture are astounding. Read NBC's own thoughts on the marriage of historic figures and their superhero drama....

Beginning Wednesday, January 5 through Sunday, January 9, 30 of New York City’s historic statues will be outfitted with custom capes along with a plaque describing each hero’s greatest achievement and the similarities between the character traits of the star of “The Cape” Vince Faraday.

While the comparison of real life heros and heroins with a fictional character NBC is trying to make money off of seems dubious, this is not what I'm really concerned about. Outdoor advertising in New York City is policed by a strict set of rules put in place to keep intact civic qualities we have deemed important. For this reason we do not allow certain advertisements near churches and schools, we restrict advertising in residentially zoned districts, and most importantly we do not allow advertising in our city parks. In fact we prohibit ads within 200 feet of city parks so as to not desecrate the view one might have from inside this place of respite.

This media partnership breaks those rules and potentially opens the floodgates to other similar advances on our public spaces. As I have said before, advertising has an interest in being the only voice spoken in public space. Because of this, its intrusion into every imaginable opportunity is inevitable due to its very nature. This partnership is a prime example of this tendency in action and should not be taken lightly.