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Insider: Why AT&T’s Clammed Up on DCPA Deal

Posted on September 16th, 2009 3:03pm by Glenn Hunter
Filed under Business, Local News, Philanthropy

Thanks to Unfair Park for pointing us to NYTimes writer Judith Dobrzynski, who’s blogged critically about the AT&T/Dallas Center for the Performing Arts naming-rights deal. How come neither AT&T nor the center will disclose how much the transaction is worth? Dobrzynski asks, adding that it “looks suspicious.” She’s right. However, one insider tells us the reticence is not surprising, given the current business and fundraising climate. Even when they’re “doing good,” companies fear being viewed as extravagant in any way these days. So in this case, AT&T probably figures the less said, the better.

5 Comments to “Insider: Why AT&T’s Clammed Up on DCPA Deal”

Jean Val Jean @ September 16th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

“one insider tells us”?

Is that the same “person close to the company”? in the Neiman Marcus story?

Maybe they just crossed the street to the inside of the AT&T offices.
John M @ September 16th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

It seems like a bit of a coincidence that the city just trotted out 400 AT&T iPhones + service to give out free to CEOs.
Wes Mantooth @ September 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

This is why we can’t have nice things.
Wick Allison @ September 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

@ John M: Coincidence? You do know that AT&T is headquartered here, right? And you do know the chamber, not the city, bought those IPhones, right? But I see where you’re headed here. AT&T made a several-million dollar gift to the Performing Arts Center so it could sell $40,000 worth of phones. Those people are clever. Very clever.
Heather @ September 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

It is wonderful that a company is sponsoring the arts versus yet another sports venue (disclaimer – I love sports).

The Center will help strengthen Dallas as an arts destination.