The massive inflatable shark publicizing Discovery’s shark week won’t be hanging around anytime soon.
In a brief conversation, Barbara Henry, with Discovery Communications‘ community outreach department, told The Penguin last week that “Chompy” won’t decorate the company’s downtown Silver Spring headquarters this year.
Henry didn’t say why the shark would be absent, or if it would return next year. However, she did indicate that a shark week-related event took place in New York last week.
The inflatable shark — at least parts of it — hung over the sides of Discovery headquarters last summer to publicize a week’s worth of shark-related television programs.
Its head looked onto Silver Spring’s Metro station, greeting commuters with its toothy grin and cold eyes. Side fins floated precariously along the building’s north and south faces, while the tail poked at Georgia Avenue. The shark’s trademark dorsal fin sat on the roof.
Amended Jul 26, 2007, at 10:58 a.m.
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First of all, his name is “Chompy”.
Does that thing have an official name? I just called it “the shark.”
Nooooo!
I don’t care that they’re going to take away the artificial green. I will lose no sleep over the Birchmere not coming to town. But I want my shark!
What’s wrong with the businesses in downtown Silver Spring? Are they starting to get cheap on us? Discovery won’t put up the shark. The folks that run the “outdoor food court” on Ellsworth were too cheap to put up some American flags to celebrate July 4th. Borders had that spray-painted bed sheet flying off the side of its building last week to promote the release of the new Harry Potter book. I understand that they currently have another spray-painted bedsheet hanging off the side of the building promoting some other event. Businesses-don’t start getting cheap on us. Silver Spring deserves better.
I gotta say… I’m gonna be pretty broken up about this… that was one of the cooler things about silver spring last summer.. and no i can’t really put my finger on why, it just was… it was somehow pleasant to get off the metro and see a large shark hanging from the side of a building.. it kinda made my day…
Jennifer – Who can we send an e-mail to at Discovery to respectfully express our disappointment at the lack of the shark? I can’t find any community relations e-mail address on their website.
Paul
Your best bet is to phone Discovery’s main switchboard and ask for the community outreach department. You’ll be routed to the department’s voicemail, but the announcement does provide an email address.
Good luck!
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