Week 1 of our #NeverLeft Pride CTAs is: Call In!
Why are call-ins so important?
Call-ins have been a part of fan campaigns since Trekkies started using them in the 60s. They've been instrumental in many campaigns since, such as Jericho (2009), Timeless (2018), and For the Snyder Cut (2018). As call-ins have become easier, cheaper, and more accessible, they have become a far more prominent tool in the fan campaign tool belt.
Calling is one of the best ways to get attention because…
1. Your call will be recorded in detail and filed using keywords. Increasing numbers will be noticed and repeated calls about the same topic will be passed on to the people in charge. DEI in particular is something WBD has committed to, so complaints about this may carry extra weight.
2. Clogging Max's phone lines means they’ll have to pay more reps to be on call or divert other employees' attention to customer service if they want to keep up with demand.
3. A call can't be brushed off with an automated or copy-pasted response. Each call will have to be individually answered.
4. These calls show that #OurFlagMeansDeath fans are not just Taika Waititi’s bots. We are real people with real opinions and, importantly (to them), real money.
How do we know all of this? All of this information comes from a Max customer service rep themselves! They were kind enough to share this information with a crew member back in January. https://x.com/ouibek/status/1747001460645085566
Most importantly, they work! Find out more about some successful fan campaigns below:
We're calling Max at their customer service line: 855-442-6629
1. No menacing, all politeness: Your customer service rep isn't making decisions. They're here to help you, so make sure to be kind and respectful.
2. Rely on your crew: Ask a friend to call for you if you struggle with phone anxiety—or to call in general! The more the merrier!
3. Your call is important to them: Calls about their content are relevant and treated as such, even if you don't have a Max account (although they may ask). Do mention it if you watched OFMD using an international service.
4. State your demands: Max should sell or renew Our Flag Means Death.
5. Make it personal: Why are you, specifically, calling? It could be good to add reasons in addition to your love of #OurFlagMeansDeath—the broader media landscape, the importance of art, other canceled shows, maybe you're also an NBA fan—go nuts, but gentlemanly!
6. Show your appreciation: Make sure to thank your customer service representative for their time, help, and patience.
And remember: the goal is to flood them with calls, so if possible, try calling at least once a day!
Example call-in script:
[Once rep is ready for your comments]
I’m calling in about the cancellation of Our Flag Means Death. Our Flag Means Death is a wonderful, inclusive show about belonging, found family, the life-saving power of love, and queer joy. It has a diverse cast and crew representing racial, ethnic, ability, gender, and sexual minority groups. On top of this, it is highly rated among both critics and audience members. I am concerned about the cancellation of this and so many other popular and diverse shows, like Rap Sh!t, Scavengers Reign, and Julia. It calls Max and Warner Bros. Discovery’s commitment to DEI into question. Why are so many of these shows getting cut, while shows with less audience demand and significantly less diversity remain on the service? Subscribers are losing faith in the company, and will continue canceling their subscriptions until something changes. I am asking Max to either renew Our Flag Means Death or sell it to someone more willing to support it. Thank you so much for your time and help; I really appreciate your patience.
Please use as much or as little of this as you’d like!
How to call with Skype (for free!):
So, you’re from outside the US, but you’d still like to participate by calling in? Here’s our guide to calling Max for free using Skype.
1. Make a Skype account
The first step is pretty simple: go to skype.com or download the Skype app.
On the website, select “Sign in” in the top right-hand corner.
Select “Sign up” at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
In the app, select “No account? Create one!”
From there, follow the instructions to make your account. If you don’t want to use your personal email address, there are many temporary email services you can use, such as Emailnator or Temp Mail.
2. Turn off cellular data (optional)
If you want to be sure you don’t use any data, either turn off cellular data on your device or turn on airplane mode (make sure WiFi is on and connected).
3. Dial the number
Obviously, this is pretty easy to do, but on certain platforms, the keypad button can be hard to find.
On desktop, it’s towards the top left, right next to the search bar.
On mobile, it’s at the bottom of your screen, in the middle.
Once the keypad is pulled up, dial 855-442-6629 to reach Max.
4. Call!
You made it! Now it’s time to have a chat and let yourself be heard!
For more details, check out our posts on social media sites where SaveOFMD Crew has a presence.