Advertisements on School Buses?
Posted: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
by Asher Ricard
My kids are like sponges when it comes to advertisements especially commercials. There is not a day that goes by that my four year old does not tell me about some new product or toy she wants.
Believe me she went a month asking for a Rocket Launch fishing pole. Even now, my son is telling me that they now have a mini version of the before mentioned pole.
Shopping with him is an adventure with his logo brainwashed mind. He will wear anything with the Adidas or Under Armor logo on it. Can you tell what he watches on tv?
That being said, I have to admit I was a little surprised this morning when my local news reported that the Santa Fe School District in Texas is transforming its big yellow buses into a fleet of advertising billboards.
The district is allowing an advertising firm to place ad on the busses in exchange for half of the profits. They expect to make $20,000 the first year.
As a parent, I am a little upset. School was the last safe place as far as ads were concerned. My kids get hit with what seems like 20 million more ads and images then I ever did growing up. School was suppose to be their safe place.
On the flip side, the district is experiencing a pretty substantial budget deficit and the ads will make the district quite a bit of money. The district has set limits on the types of ads that will be displayed on the bus.
For $200 a month, dentists, real estate agents, pizza companies, restaurants, insurance companies and financial advisers can promote their business.
Still, how would you like to ride on the Pizza4Less bus or other such business name.
Studies of advertisements have shown that the younger a kid attaches to a brand, the more likely they will ever change. I guess the kids in this district will have no problem picking a dentist or insurance agent when it is time.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)They need to be very careful as to what they are advertising on school buses. I think children would equate those ads to a form of teaching. They're school buses aren't they?
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