Aqua Teen Hunger Force Promo Causes Boston Panic

Yesterday a marketing campaign for Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” caused a massive panic in Boston, when LED signs of Ignignot and Err (Mooninite Marauders characters from the show) were mistaken as explosive devices. Boston authorities overreacted and shut down half of the city and the Adult Swim art was subsequently detonated by Boston police.

Media & Blog Coverage

“Aqua Teen Hunger Force LED art shuts down Boston” (Phillip Torrone, Make Magazine)

“Promotional Gadgets Grip Boston in Fear and Loathing” (Gizmodo)

“AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE Hysteria In Boston… sad commentary on the times we live in?” (Ain’t It Cool News)

“Non-Terrorist Embarrassment in Boston” (Bruce Schneier)

“Cartoon exec resigns over ad ploy that bombed” (Associated Press)

“Some Thoughts on Last Week in Boston” (Wooster Collective)

Meme Propagation

A Little Something for the Hackers in Boston (bunnie)

1-31-07 Never Forget (Boston ATHF Bomb Scare Video Tribute)

Osama Team Hunger Force

Last month I came across one of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force promos while driving around Los Angeles.

UPDATE 1: Boston police have arrested Peter Berdovsky and Sean Stevens, the artists who were hired by Turner Broadcasting to install the promotional artwork.

UPDATE 2: Turner Broadcasting has issued an apology regarding the controversial marking campaign.

UPDATE 3: The LED signs had been previously installed in 10 other cities without incident, including San Francisco. So why did Boston freak out like it did?

UPDATE 4: littlestarletta who is LMAO about this situation on LiveJournal, found this great 1-31-07 memorial image.

UPDATE 5: Here’s Peter and Sean (aka GlitchCrew) installing the LED devices in Boston.

UPDATE 6: Peter Berdovsky and Sean Stevens have apologized for scaring Boston.