The Afterschool Alliance (www.afterschoolnow.org), supported by the Ad Council and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, are running a public service ad campaign that appears to ridicule Masters swimmers. According to Alliance’s website, “These PSAs use humor to communicate the importance of taking action to support afterschool programs. The campaign includes TV and radio spots, newspaper ads, billboards, web banners and more.”
One print ad has a facial portrait of a smiling, senior gentleman in a pool, obviously a happy swimmer, with swimming goggles on. Superimposed over the portrait are the following words: “There’s nothing more REFRESHING than neglecting our nation’s YOUTH.” At the bottom, the ad continues to say: “When I don’t support afterschool programs, I feel so relaxed and carefree. It’s like I’m doing nothing at all! Unless you call depriving 15 million kids something…”
You can download a copy of the ad from the following website:
www.afterschoolnow.org/print_ads.cfm
Former Member
;I wsa a former N.Y.And I swam pretty good in n.ny. But since I moved I got beter. Must Be the ai r. I will be at the nationals. My goal is to have fun. Dom. ;)
Now the majority of people either get married or have kids. I'm apart of the minority that did neither. I don't think that we are more ill responsible or more selfish than people that had kids. How many children in the United States are being raise by their grandparents because their own parents have drug problems or are in prison?. Its better to not have children if you don't want to be responible and have sexual relations and not think that children will be a by-product of that sexual union. One of the best ways to help kids is to be responsible about not bringing them in the world if you are unable to deal with them or being more responsible when you do.
Originally posted by aquageek
Actualy, he is just standing in the water... If the man was holding a baseball bat, would the entire adult softball playing nation be up in arms?
If he were holding a baseball bat, I would wonder, "Hey, what's that nut doing with a baseball bat in the pool?":D
I can't believe all this discussion about role models and moral obligation comes from a single poster of a man swimming. Actualy, he is just standing in the water. No where does it mention Masters swimming. If the man was holding a baseball bat, would the entire adult softball playing nation be up in arms? It's just a man swimming, that's it. If I saw that poster in public I would never consider it a slight on either swimming or Master's Swimming. Even if I did, so what? People are allowed to advertise and make points. I think this thread is a little far reaching.
Just something to think about (this fact is a few years old) it takes about $30,000 to incarcerate a juvenile offender for 1 year (yup that would be your tax dollars). So rather than employing correction officers, wouldn't you rather employ coaches and teachers at a fraction of the cost - so maybe a swim coach is worth $350,000 if he can keep 12 kids out of jail.
the thread may indicate that we are discussing the poster of the swimmer, but in reality we are discussing the underlying concept the agency used and society's responsibility to children and youths. I feel rather positive about the responses. The responses show that we (adults) have enough good sense to think critically think about issues. Or could it just be that swimming produces great thinkers :D!
Along with the other e-mail, make note that the C.S. Mott Foundation provided the money for the ad campagin. I am sure they do not want their name attached to such irresponsible adds.
info@mott.org
Ad council e-mail is listed right below the ads:
banners@adcouncil.org
Chris
Open letter to: banners@adcouncil.org, info@afterschoolalliance.org, info@mott.org
Any successful ad needs to clearly communicate its message in a memorable way, better yet if it encourages you act. While I am sure none of us need a lesson in Marketing 101, the recent ads on www.afterschoolnow.org/print_ads.cfm fall far, far from that standard.
Showing healthy people leading active lives and then critizing those people for their active lives is hardly appropriate, memorable in a positive light, nor does it encourage me to act. In fact it has the opposite effect in that I would absolutely not be inclined to help such an inflamatory organization.
Clearly the better approach would be to reach out to these active people, encouraging them to share their passions and interests with children. These healthy happy people probably have solid skills/personalities/disiplines you should celebrate. Instead you have polarized yourself from people such as myself.
I hope you vigorously rethink the intent and effect these ads will have on people who lead active lives and are proud of it.
Chris Beardsley
