Vision 2008: What I hope CAP will accomplish

[Eeyore]

^ Daddy likes!

[Capt Rivera]

The CAP Foundation is not fully organized yet.  It has only met twice and, I think, hasn't yet received full tax exempt status.  I know, however, there are donors ready to give when things are finally established.

i asked the knowledge base for a update a little while ago, click the link to be taken to it:
http://tinyurl.com/3ylwfr
I was disappointed in the response....

Here's a thought. Put that into proposal form and post the PDF here, I'll gladly forward to my wing CC for his review and discussion at the next NB meeting and others can do this as well.

I also agree... Take what is here, format it correctly and pdf it. I would also forward it to my wing king.... [sorry to pass the buck and not do it myself... but yea, way to much on my plate right now...]

edited: made a tinyurl

[tjaxe]

Did you miss my post in the other thread about the oxfords at Vanguard and the mock turtlenecks they're coming out with? Granted there needs to be more choices, but it's a start.

Oops. I must've missed that post. Sorry about that!   

I think I'll start that separate topic Pylon suggested...

[Pylon]

Great list!

Dunno where we'd get the funding for all this.

Do have one suggestion though...

Instead of having a recruiting vehicle like the USAF Raptor, why not create vinyl wraps for our existing vans? They're very colorful and inexpensive. They can be removed before the sale of the vehicle and reinstalled on another. There can be 3 versions of such covers, each with its theme of AE, CP or ES. The website and phone number for CAP recruiting at NHQ would be prominent. Most military, government, and corporate vehicles already have such graphics.

Vinyl wraps can be nice, again as part of a coordinated branding effort (the wraps need to match the brochures, match the website, match the PSAs, match the other marketing pieces, etc.). 

One just has to ensure that they aren't gawdy or tacky, but rather a professional and effective use of our image.  A good suggestion, for sure.  Thanks George. 

[NIN]

Vinyl wraps can be nice, again as part of a coordinated branding effort (the wraps need to match the brochures, match the website, match the PSAs, match the other marketing pieces, etc.). 

One just has to ensure that they aren't gawdy or tacky, but rather a professional and effective use of our image.  A good suggestion, for sure.  Thanks George. 

A number of years ago, I was driving to work and saw a Disabled American Veterans-provided 12-pax van on the highway with a BEAUTIFUL wrap job on it. Really classy, very tasteful, smooth. 

I said "Darn, we should do that for our vans!"

So I put together a proposal to do a small pilot program and wrap two vans here in NH and track our recruiting from it. Setup a special phone number and web URL so we could gauge the effectiveness of the campaign, etc.

The reply from National?

"That's not in 77-1.. Can't do it."

I threw up my hands and said "OK, fine, forget it."

We then did a pilot program with one of those on-screen advertising outfits (the slides in the theater while you're waiting for the preview to start). Again, special URL for the campaign, easy to remember so that people could fairly easily remember it and go home with it.  I think we got three hits.  Three.

I think the van wrap is far more effective and interesting (your exposure is MUCH higher to a MUCH larger number of people for a longer period of time). Heck, even parked and unoccupied, the van would be garnering interest.

*sigh*

[Lancer]

Page 13 of the CAP PAO National Marketing Plan outlines the use of vehicle wraps.

GOAL:
Increase name and brand recognition by providing car/van wraps for every sanctioned CAP vehicle over three years.

Strategy: Conduct a focus group with volunteers to design final artwork for wrap.

This is a proposed national marketing plan pending approval by the CAP Board of Governors.

An example of such that has already been used at the 2007 NBB.

[Pylon]

Page 13 of the CAP PAO National Marketing Plan outlines the use of vehicle wraps.

GOAL:
Increase name and brand recognition by providing car/van wraps for every sanctioned CAP vehicle over three years.

Strategy: Conduct a focus group with volunteers to design final artwork for wrap.

This is a proposed national marketing plan pending approval by the CAP Board of Governors.

An example of such that has already been used at the 2007 NBB.

Why?  Why are you making me cry? 

Citizens serving communities?  Really?  That matches none of the marketing efforts currently underway (unless NHQ wants to admit to running concurrent & competing marketing campaigns).

While the fact that they're open to the idea is a good start, this is why I said it needs to be part of a coordinated effort that's part of a newly created CAP branding.  If you roll out the van wraps and then come up with a new branding a year later, you've just wasted money on those wraps.  And the existing branding (or lack thereof) completely sucks in a number of ways.

I'm sure the van wraps seemed like a good idea at the time (and ultimately they are), but that's because people are okay with having a poor marketing plan.  Develop great branding and master plan first, then invest in the materials.

Plus I hate that people serving communities logo.  Who created that?  A 6th grader in MS Paint using clip art?  That's about as bad as the "Civil Air Patrol" sticker on the sides of our vans now (the one with the plane flying through it).  That one looks like somebody won an AE coloring contest and they put it on all that vans.   

[Lancer]

Why?  Why are you making me cry? 

Citizens serving communities?  Really?  That matches none of the marketing efforts currently underway (unless NHQ wants to admit to running concurrent & competing marketing campaigns).

While the fact that they're open to the idea is a good start, this is why I said it needs to be part of a coordinated effort that's part of a newly created CAP branding.  If you roll out the van wraps and then come up with a new branding a year later, you've just wasted money on those wraps.  And the existing branding (or lack thereof) completely sucks in a number of ways.

I'm sure the van wraps seemed like a good idea at the time (and ultimately they are), but that's because people are okay with having a poor marketing plan.  Develop great branding and master plan first, then invest in the materials.

Plus I hate that people serving communities logo.  Who created that?  A 6th grader in MS Paint using clip art?  That's about as bad as the "Civil Air Patrol" sticker on the sides of our vans now (the one with the plane flying through it).  That one looks like somebody won an AE coloring contest and they put it on all that vans.   

Dood... look at the date. That's before 'He who shall not be named' was gone. He was at NBB in 2007. Heck he probably drove that Explorer straight from Maxwell himself.

I just wanted to point out that wraps are being looked at. The problem is execution. That's the problem with an organization such as ours, too many cooks in the kitchen.

Again, I think issues like this get back to my believed reasoning for Brig Gen Courter's Advisor positions being created. (BTW, has anyone seen a real list of who has been chosen to serve in these positions?)

To use a football euphemism;  maybe one of these days we'll be score a 'touchdown', and not 'drop back and punt' like we've been doing.

[pixelwonk]

I'm sure the van wraps seemed like a good idea at the time (and ultimately they are), but that's because people are okay with having a poor marketing plan.  Develop great branding and master plan first, then invest in the materials.

Plus I hate that people serving communities logo.  Who created that?  A 6th grader in MS Paint using clip art?  That's about as bad as the "Civil Air Patrol" sticker on the sides of our vans now (the one with the plane flying through it).  That one looks like somebody won an AE coloring contest and they put it on all that vans.   

Dood... look at the date. That's before 'He who shall not be named' was gone. He was at NBB in 2007. Heck he probably drove that Explorer straight from Maxwell himself.

no, but the marketing folks drove him around in it once his flight brought him there. 

It's too easy to armchair QB this subject.
That vehicle towed the CAP (FEMA) trailer that served as a recruiting facility at Airventure.  Its $1200-1500 wrap matched the one on the trailer itself which cost around $3000.

I've been right up next to them, been in them, and truth is, they were well received by those in attendance.  And I'm talking about the current or former members that visited the area, not G.A. Joe Propstrike who wanders by looking for free hats.

The thing is, these wraps only stay good looking for so long before needing replacement.  That's the beef that I'd have with putting them on our vans.

[Pylon]

I just wanted to point out that wraps are being looked at. The problem is execution. That's the problem with an organization such as ours, too many cooks in the kitchen

Yes, and no.  In some respects, yes - because we've got all sorts of splintered efforts by a diverse group of people.  Someone suggests van wraps and we slap a few on, but before we consult with those putting out the brochures or the website or the recruiting materials.

No, in the sense that we may have too many unskilled line cooks - but what we really need is a few more skilled and experienced chefs with a penchant for establishing identity.

[mikeylikey]

^ I would be all for NHQ spending some $$$,$$$.$$ on hiring a national advertising firm.  Heck I think they should spend whatever it takes to get ads in Base/ Post/ Station newspapers, and military trade journals and the fine assortment of military times newspapers!

As far as the vehicle raps go, I am not to impressed.  I think they could have created something just a little better.  It is almost like "we have some money lets put some stickers on a new vehicle that WILL NOT BE SEEN because all the new vehicles are going to the Wing Commanders and his or her staff Officers". 

[RiverAux]

Wasn't it a big advertising firm that talked us into spending $5 million on a racecar?

[BigMojo]

The thing is, these wraps only stay good looking for so long before needing replacement.  That's the beef that I'd have with putting them on our vans.

We have had the same full wrap on our SKA tournament fishing boat for 5 years now, Salt water spray at 70mph, in direct sunlight, I can't think of tougher conditions. Still looks good as new, hasn't faded or peeled a bit. Lifespan I don't think is a viable argument in this case.

[mikeylikey]

Wasn't it a big advertising firm that talked us into spending $5 million on a racecar?

I don't think so.  The only advertising firm CAP has gone with in the past 6 years was that huge billboard company in 2002-2004.  I think that helped bring some Members in after 9/11

I think Nascar approached them through some sort of direct mailing or other means.

[pixelwonk]

I can't think of tougher conditions. Still looks good as new, hasn't faded or peeled a bit. Lifespan I don't think is a viable argument in this case.

Wrap vendors will tell you that the window areas will last only about two years.  Boats don't have windows.  Our vans do.  Big ones.
Still, you could very well be right.  Especially if the vehicles are garaged.

Just for giggles though, let's trailer your boat on missions and SAREXes for the next five years.
Let's drive it on unimproved roads, and through lumpy, gravely airshow parking areas.  Let's then pull it out of the mud.
In the winter, let's give it a break and only take it through snow, sleet, salty sleet, and freezing rain. Oh, and the gravel/sand/salt mixture that is sprayed all points north of Mason Dixon.

I'll drive.

[afgeo4]

If it doesn't last on windows, just wrap the lower half of the vehicle.

Technically there are 3 working sides to a vehicle... driver's side, passenger's side, and  rear. Coincidentally, there are 3 missions to CAP.

I think all wraps should be designed and contracted by NHQ. That way there's just one standard and one graphic to be adopted to different vehicle makes/models.

I think we could leave the hoods alone since they aren't prominent on vans and wont give you much surface for the dollar.

[NIN]

Wasn't it a big advertising firm that talked us into spending $5 million on a racecar?

Negative. the CAP NASCAR sponsorship was the brainchild of Civil Air Patrol's "Chief Advancement Officer" a guy named George Foreman (no, not that George Foreman, otherwise every unit would have a "Lean, Mean Fat-Grillin' Machine" on their S-3). 

His one-trick "bring money into Civil Air Patrol" scheme was....

Spend $11 million on a NASCAR team.  For "exposure" of the organization, to other, seemingly philanthropic corporate racing sponsors, and to the largest organized sporting spectator audience in the world. Right?

What could possibly be wrong with this concept?


Mind you, I met the man when he brought Ashton Lewis and Car 46 to my unit meeting prior to a race at our local NASCAR venue.   Ashton was a super guy, very cool, very genuine.. An honest guy who wound up with a turkey of a sponsor.  This Freeman guy, however, struck me as a "good ol' boy who'd finally gotten 'his' NASCAR team."

(I say that from watching fairly closely his behavior and where he was/what he was doing compared to other "team owners".. Right there, on the track, David Clarks on, when they do the initial line up before they start... like all the other team owners...)

Yeah, it was a goat rope from day one.

[Michael]

I hope that CAP will quickly gain a large amount of interest in military music and resurrect the National Military Music Academy for 2009.

[mikeylikey]

I hope that CAP will quickly gain a large amount of interest in military music and resurrect the National Military Music Academy for 2009.

Probably not.  It is a shame, I met the two competing gentleman back in 1998, each fighting to get their schools made National Activities.  Now one is deceased, the other I believe moved on from CAP.  So unless someone steps up in Maryland Wing again......I doubt anything will come of it.  Sorry.

[Michael]

Oh well. We can always have semi-private chamber/quintet groups.