January 13th, 2009
A Text Arrives. Oh, It’s Just an ‘Idol’ Ad.
By Matt Richtel
The New York Times
Some AT&T Wireless customers have voted an emphatic no on a promotion for “American Idol” that popped up on their phones this week.
AT&T, a sponsor of the show, said it sent text messages to a “significant number” of its 75 million customers, urging them to tune in to the season premiere on Tuesday night.
But some recipients thought the message was a breach of cellphone etiquette, and gave it the kind of reaction that the “Idol” judge Simon Cowell might give an off-key crooner.