The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPat Summerall Productions - City of Euless Promotional Video Letters and CorrespondencePagel of 3 nbc5ixom Critics: Bankrupt Company Misled N. Texas Cities Pat Summerall Productions Closes, Files For Bankruptcy POSTED: 4:51 PM CST November 26, 2004 UPDATED: 9:21 AM CST November 30, 2004 DALLAS -- Several North Texas cities thought they had a winning proposition when they were invited to have sportscaster Pat Summerall appear in a video for them. But critics said that what city officials thought were awards were really just a slick way to sell videos for tax money. Rockwall, Euless and Keller are all nice places to live and work that have something in common -- they're "Champions of Industry," according to Pat Summerall Productions. w Critics: Company Misled "They said that they had us under consideration, Cities , at least, for this award," Euless City Manager Joe Hennig said. Hennig, among with leaders in each of the other two cities, said they thought the statues they were given were awards because they came after weeks of review. "Then they said, 'Now, we produce videos, and we would like to produce a video for you,"' Hennig said. Each city spent more than $20,000 in tax money for a video featuring Pat Summerall touting their community. http://www.nbc5i.com/print/3951426/detail.html?use=print 11 /30/2004 Page 2 of 3 However, government watchf group Public Citizen., said his organization declined to participate in the same program after being contacted by the company. "The conclusion seems to be fairly obvious. If you don't hav the money to pony up,, you don't get the award," Smith saij Rockwall Jones when he accepted the award for his city. When asked if he thought his city would have won an award if it were not buying a video from the company, he said, "I feel like we Leaders three ....C.?i cities told ,. _ they y: never 'a. .,+ -. told they'd receive nothing if they did not buy the video. "I haven't heard that from them ... but Id sure like to talk to them about that's the a.. MayorTally said. espit rispii's statement,, the word "award" appears on cities. Aside from the wordingstatues themselvesy,, the mayor of oc- 7 = i zr-�ceihjed a let ter last month purportedly hftp:ti%vww.nbe5i.com/piint/3951426/detait.htmt?usc=print 11/30/2 0 Page 3 of 3 by Summerall informing him that the city's "award" ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas was cancelled because Summerall could not attend. Mayor Jones said the letter annoyed him. "I don't think Mr. Summerall not being able to attend the big party was reason to cancel it," Jones said. "You have to question what is going on here. It's a very clever way to get entry to the highest levels of leadershipi, in a community, and to make there feel proud that they've been selected," Smith said. "Even if it is, I still think it's a good value for our city," Hennig said. Part of each video was also played on a national cable news channel and all three cities still insist it waS. wise use of, to.., money, even if they did not win an award. Rat umrneral't de-lineud to speak, to NEDU �� OMI UdFrt a� a 'R-FL e o-��=T�a ly ��nly uizes ��is na�tee, that he does not own __ _ or operate t and that he s p' get- paEf � fo = -VA t � dif-o 3 Sa j-mc:r all oductions closed and filed for - � Productions bankruptcy, listing Sure ��-� CFe'll a- of -e cif iL c UiL4 _ Copyright 2004 by nbc5i. com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. http://www.nbc5i.com/print/3951426/detail.html?use—print 11 /30/2004 T H E C EU,L September 29, 2004 Mr. Pat Summerall Pat Summerall Productions 2105 N. Waterview Parkway Richardson, TX 75080 Dear Mr. Summerall: T Y O F E SS Mary Lib Saleh MAYOR Your most attractive award for our city arrived last week and sits prominently in the entrance display case at city hall. Thank you for sending it along. We will surely miss enjoying the evening with you and other friends, but we can certainly understand that business comes first. We would choose to have a duplication credit for I'm sure we will be ordering more copies of the video of Euless. Thank you again for the lovely award and we send all good wishes. Most sincerely, Mary Li Saleh Mayor /bn 201 N. Ector Drive, Euless, Texas 76039-3595 817/685-1400 • Metro 817/267-4403 • Fax 817/685-1416 � r+ September 23, 2004 Mayor Mary Lib Saleh City of Euless 201 North Ector Dr Euless TX 76039 Dear Mayor Mary Lib Saleh:: Congratulations! Enclosed is your Champions of Industry 300 Award. Mr. Pat Summerall, along with everyone at Pat Summerall Productions, congratulates you on being chosen as an outstanding example of leadership, growth and community involvement among your peer group. Even though this award could not be presented in person, it in no way diminishes the importance of its achievement. Thank you for participating in the Champions of Industry project. Very truly yours, Robert B. May President Enclosure 2105 N. Waterview Parkway • Richardson, TX 75080 e 972.907.2525 • fax 972.690-5458 G � r+ September 17, 2004 Mayor Mary Lib Saleh City of Euless 201 North Ector Drive Euless TX 76039 Dear Mayor Saleh and Guests: Earlier this year we had to postpone our Champions Reception due to my personal illness and subsequent surgery. Now regrettably, we need to cancel our October 2nd event as well. This change of plans does not suggest in any way that we do not deeply appreciate your patronage and your patience. On the contrary, all 60 expected guests are valued customers and friends. When ESPN offered the pre -season package to me, I accepted and then they extended my engagement four more weeks through the October 2Id weekend. recognize this presents an expense issue due to travel costs and . I we intend to give the master tape to you or issue yo uplication re it. ou may write to me at the studio indicating your choic .- Naaress: P merall Productions, 2105 Waterview Parkway, Richardson, Texas, 75080) Your award should arrive approximately by Friday, October 1stvia Fed Ex. I am very sorry we have not been able to meet in person, however, your support has been very much appreciated and recognized. My best to you and your staff. Sincerely, Pat Summerall PS/kk cc: Bob May, President Planning Committee 2105 N. Waterview Parkway • Richardson, TX 75080 9 972.907.2525 • fax 972.690-5458 sec all Pao F G n c+ y O• November 4.2003 Mr. Joe Hennig City of Euless 201 North Ector Drive Euless, TX 76039 Dear Joe: p 2003 CITY 4F EULESS This letter is sent to express our gratitude to you.for your cooperation in providing us with the mformauion needed to consider the*City ol' Euless for the "Champions of Industry " A Yard. Not only did you meet cur minimum criteria, but in fact, in many areas you exceeded our expectations. The Selection Committee noted the following accomplishments in your city: A commendable school system. The partnership your city forged with DFW Airport for land development. Your dedication to providing parks ( 17) for your community's enjoyment. The community's involvement in (lie highly recognized `'Arbor Daze" celebration. With all these accomplishments in mind, we are happy to announce that the City of Euless has been selected as a "Champion City" for 2003! Congratulations and know we are looking forward to working with you and your staff in the near future. You can expect to hear from our Production Department in the next 3 to 5 business days with the specific details concerning our procedures for this project. Please note that all announcements, press releases or publicity of any kind requires prior approval from Pat Sunu-nerall Productions. For approval, please fax all information and materials to Kathy Dungan at 972-690-3911. For additional information regarding our annual "Champions" Gala, please reference our website at W\VW.cham}lionsawarcl.com. Again, congratulations on your award and we look forward to spotlighting your leadership and accomplishments through this awards project. Sincerely, &IOILt'P Barbara Applonie Project Coordinator kd 2105 N. Waterview Parkway • Richardson, 7X 75080 • 972.907.2525 • fax 972.690.5458