Ad man Charlie Robb says that the anonymous client who thought up the series of "Recession101" billboards appearing all over the nation "wants people to quit freaking out about the economy."The campaign (which consists of over 1,000 billboards) is now sponsored by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, which spends $400 million each year on public service campaigns.
Other "Recession 101" messages include:
- "Don't switch to cheaper scotch. Drink slower."
- "Nobody can repossess your future."
-"Bill Gates started Microsoft during a recession."
- “The only downturns comparable to this were in: 1797, 1807, 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893, 1907, 1918, 1929, 1937,1945, 1948, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1969, 1973, 1980, 1981 1990, 2001 and… Hmm? …never mind.” and
- "Interesting thing about recessions... they end."
Personally, I can't help but find it a little annoying that some guy with the time and money to spend on a frivolous campaign feels entitled to tease others - who may have, oh, recently lost their jobs or houses - for feeling a little desperate.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI'm a reporter with the Associated Press, and I'm working on a story about these billboards for today. If you want to share your thoughts, please give me a call at 401-274-2270 sometime today (Thursday). Would love to hear from you.
Thanks!
Kelsey Abbruzzese
kabbruzzese@ap.org
Perhaps I can set the record straight. The donor wanted a campaign that would remind people that we've been through hard times before and gotten through them. And that we will get through these as well. If the campaign is frivolous, that's my fault for creating it. The donor's intentions were, I thought, altruistic. Teasing people was not what he wanted and not what the campaign is supposed to be about.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Robb
Partner/Creative Director
Charchin Creative