You’re surprised because...? At first, the concept of a school district profiting from selling to its kids plus paying the agency 25% left a bad taste, but really, it’s the next logical step, isn’t it? Even though schools across the country are starting to kick soda and candy out of their vending machines, brands are already taking over schools. (Juices can stay in those same machines.)Sure advertising and branding are two different things, but those lines are blurring, if not already blurred. There’s Nike’s stamp all over team uniforms. Several cable channels like Discovery run exclusive content in some classes. So why wouldn’t captive little freaks have a problem being exposed to advertising coming and going? That’s exactly what the Saginaw school district in Michigan is considering. Might’ve sounded a little more palatable though had the agency rep from agency Crossroads Marketing & Consulting Inc. not phrased it quite this way when describing the effectiveness of the program:
“And we have the capacity to make it happen. With our background in advertising, we know where the bones are buried.”
But $8K a month in revenue seems low. Why not do it right and bring in the big guns like Facebook. (With a $15 billion valuation, I’m guessing they have a little petty cash laying around.) Buy up the districts’ buses for the year. Wrap the yellow exteriors in blue, add logos to seats and have special poke-free areas on the bus. Give the driver some branded schwag too. This way, kids can subconsciously prepare for the number of hours they’re about to spend online. Win-win!
Going through voting withdrawl even a week later? Here, vote on this:
4 comments:
I have to clarify my "yes" vote...today our state govt announced in a mini budget that they would be canceling free transport for kids too and from school in order to "balance the budget" - now how the hell the biggest state in Australia is in this financial crap hole I will never know, but if putting ads on kids buses would give them a free ride, then I'm all for it...but as I type I remember that state buses already have advertising on them - so I will just step away from this debate and go and scratch my head
Let's not forget the fine ad placement Marlboro's doing in Chinese schools. The kids look like NASCAR drivers their uniforms are so specked with logos.
sitting on a public crapper, i know i'm a loose and sexy female. obviously, i needs me that "Plan B" or some those special kind of "rubbers".
no advertising on buses. geez. like they aren't already over-exposed. you know their most fave sugar foods are at their eye level. tv is junk. schools should keep it to a minimum. cuz if they can advertise, then heck put up them political signs in toilets now.
I say yes it should be allowed but the brands should be positive in some way like fresh juices instead of Cola and educational things like environmental awareness.
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