SeaWorld Buys Ads to Respond to “Blackfish” Documentary

The theme park is responding to a critical documentary and subsequent cancellations by performers

SeaWorld has set up a website and posted ads in a handful of newspapers around the nation in response to a critical documentary that inspired eight musical acts to cancel performances at the company's Orlando marine park.

The ad was an open letter from the park's zoological team. While it doesn't refer to the "Blackfish" documentary directly, it does take on what it describes as "inaccurate reports."

"It's time to set the record straight," the letter states. Read the full letter here

SeaWorld posted the ad Friday in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, the Orlando Sentinel, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the San Antonio Express-News. SeaWorld has parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.

Both the ad and the website describe SeaWorld as an advocate for animals and detail its efforts to rescue and care for marine animals.

More than half a dozen musical acts have pulled out of SeaWorld Orlando's Bands, Brew and BBQ concert series in February, citing the documentary "Blackfish."

NBC News reports Trisha Yearwood and Martina McBride have said they will not be part of the series.

Earlier this week, NBC News reported that .38 Special joined Barenaked Ladies, Willie Nelson and Heart in canceling their appearances.

The musical acts after fans launched a petition campaign on the website Change.org.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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