In a message dated 12/8/2003 3:08:53 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
How do public service announcements work.. can any non profit ask the bus
companies or media channels to put up ads? Could local LLL or LC groups do
this? How about on NPR? How about a grass roots campaign of these
announcements? Are they free?   Judy


Yes, Judy, PSAs are generally free. Many radio and television stations, and
some outdoor advertising companies will run Public Service Announcements for no
charge. However, there are as many different ways that PSAs are chosen as
there are station managers and outdoor advertising managers. There are many more
PSAs than available spots, most of the air-times are in the very wee small
hours, and there is no way to predict which of the multitude will be chosen.

While working at an AM radio station in High School, I saw an average of 150
PSAs from various Nonprofit organizations arrive each month. (Approximately 25
per week day) These ranged from Health Advocacy to local church spots, and
everything imaginable in between.  Depending on which managers "turn" it was to
weed through and select which ones would run in the 5 spots per day allocated,
they may be viewed and "judged," or they may be tossed, and "the ones which
land in the circle get aired." (Yes, there really was a guy who would place a
small circle - I believe it was a piece of a broken lampshade - on the floor
and toss the spots at it)

I can only imagine that FM stations, Satellite broadcasting and television
receive many, many more PSAs than the small AM radio station where I briefly
worked.

That is why HHS and the Ad Council had initiated a training of outreach and
public awareness coordinators for this project. Taking a "spot" to the decision
maker in person, and making an impassioned, civil plea for airtime can make a
difference. (As long as the decision maker is not of the "throw them all at
the circle" mentality)

Laura Wright
Mississippi

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