Journalist Shane Holmberg Denied Attempt to Run Billboard Campaign Labeling Vic Mignogna as a ‘Sexual Predator’
Spencer Baculi
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Former Director of Operations for the A-Kon anime convention and self-professed journalist Shane Holmberg was recently denied his request to purchase a billboard ad space with the intent of displaying an animated gif labelling Dragon Ball Super: Broly voice actor Vic Mignogna as a ‘sexual predator.’
On November 11th, multiple Twitter users engaged in a discussion about various aspects of Mignogna’s case with T. Greg Doucette, an attorney and vocal KickVic supporter. As the conversation turned to the topic of whether labeling Mignogna as a sexual predator qualified as defamation, Doucette stated that “it’s not defamation when it’s true.”
It’s not defamation when it’s true 🙃
(Seriously though, I need @Emm_Initiative to work “The Defamed” into a future banner. Sounds like a working title for a grimdark or horror anime series)https://t.co/4MwSIZOMrJ
— T. Greg “Have fun fighting the Yakuza” Doucette (@greg_doucette) November 11, 2019
Doucette’s position was supported by his followers, including user Tyler Wolff who stated that one could purchase a billboard advertisement that read “Vic Mignogna: Sexual Predator” and that “there’s not a damn thing he or his lawyers could do about it.”
Hell, you could rent a billboard and have the hair pulling photo from his depo and the phrase “Vic Mignogna: Sexual Predator” and there’s not a damn thing he or his lawyers could do about it.
— Tyler Wolff (@Tylerjswolff) November 12, 2019
Be lying if I said I haven’t looked into the cost of billboards in Texas.
— Tyler Wolff (@Tylerjswolff) November 13, 2019
In response to Wolff’s comments, Holmberg replied that he had found a billboard advertising firm, Blip Billboards, which offered campaigns that allowed one to “set your own daily budget.”
He then shared a screenshot showing that he had submitted a campaign featuring an animated GIF labeling Mignogna a “sexual predator” and that it was “under review.”
With this one you can set your own daily budget. https://t.co/JYKdLvyjOG https://t.co/O2P7rsmwbP
— Shane Holmberg (@shane_holmberg) November 13, 2019
For instance, this one that is under review. pic.twitter.com/JnMU7vJjcD
— Shane Holmberg (@shane_holmberg) November 13, 2019
I feel like I am doing a service for my community.
— Shane Holmberg (@shane_holmberg) November 13, 2019
Holmberg states that he had set his budget at $5 USD a day and noted that he hoped “the word gets out” as a result of this campaign:
You can literally set your own budget. Not sure how much $5 a day gets you, but there are bound to be views. This one is in a hot spot area so at least the word gets out. pic.twitter.com/2m8piHoE8P
— Shane Holmberg (@shane_holmberg) November 13, 2019
Related: Vic Mignogna Files to Begin Appeals Process Against Dismissal of Defamation Lawsuit
However, after the campaign was brought to the attention of Blip Billboards, the agency ultimately stated that Holmberg’s “ad will not be approved.”
So I was just informed that Shane is renting a billboard to call @vicmignogna
a sexual predator, @TyBeard10
keep an eye on it,this is obvious harassment. These people just will not stop defaming the man. They just keep on & on. pic.twitter.com/3SMlCXx4Of— Jeff Saiyan (@deludeddragon) November 13, 2019
@blipbillboards question? do you allow your services to be used to openly defame a innocent man?
this shane holmberg person has the intention to call someone a pedophile using your products.
thanks— Darth Revan (@Darkenergy043) November 13, 2019
No, we don’t! Their ad will not be approved.
— Blip Billboards (@blipbillboards) November 13, 2019
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