PSAs for CAP

[Pylon]

If you had to write the script for a radio or TV Public Service Announcement promoting Civil Air Patrol, what would you say?   How about if it were one focusing on cadet programs?

Ideally, CAP would have quality PSA packages in :15, :20, :30, :45, and :60 increments that would be ready for units to download and distribute through local PAOs to the PSA Directors at local radio and TV stations.   PSAs are a way CAP can leverage free airtime in any locality in the US, but I know for a fact that many stations are reluctant to air PSAs that aren't professionally produced.

In an ideal situation, National HQ would produce and make available packaged PSAs.  Local unit information could either be added in a pre-determined space or some reference to the availability of "a local unit near you" could be made but still driving people to the national website/phone #.   Then units could use these to gain additional coverage with their local media contacts.

There is, of course, the possibility of leveraging contacts in the PR and academic world to get some PSAs produced.

So if you were writing one of these PSAs -- what would be your message?   Your hook?  What would they say?

[Brad]

Why not simply use the videos that are on National's website? They work just as well without graphics, there's enough narration and such. If you have to, save the flash movies themselves, put them on a USB or something, and give a copy to the respective place, that way they can pick and choose which ones they want to show. All the copyrights are in the videos themselves so that's a non-issue.

[Spaceman3750]

Because Flash movies aren't nearly the right resolution or quality for broadcast TV.

[ColonelJack]

My squadron is working with the TV station I work for to produce a series of PSAs built around the idea (which I freely admit we appropriated) that "We do more in two hours than some groups do in a month."  I'm intercutting shots of our cadets at drill and PT, SAREX video, awards presentations, etc., followed by contact information both local and national.

When I get them finished, I will share them with anyone interested ... and could even be talked into making custom-tagged ones for your local contact info (it would still by my unit in the videos, though).

I'll keep you posted ...

Jack

[Pylon]

Why not simply use the videos that are on National's website? They work just as well without graphics, there's enough narration and such.

Because they're not PSAs.  Because they're not set to commercial lengths like exactly :30 or :15 seconds.  Because the quality isn't sufficient for broadcast.  Because I'm hoping for something better -- something that sells CAP and the cadet program.

And Jack, yes please keep us posted.

I should have included less commentary in my post, I guess.  I was really looking for ideas.  What would you write for a PSA?   What would your primary message be? 

[JC004]

I would probably emphasize how you can personalize your CAP experience by choosing from a vast array of uniforms, logos, slogans, and domain names. 

[Walkman]

I was approached by Utah Public Radio in February about doing a spot for their "Utah Cares" series. They choose non-profit & community orgs to run 50 sec highlights on. These run throughout the state on UPR for a month. I worked with my Wing PAO once they called me.

They do a 20 minute interview and then condense the responses into the PSA. Listen here:
http://www.upr.org/utah_cares_info.html#utahCaresAudio

Look for "Cache Valley Composite Civil Air Patrol"

[High Speed Low Drag]

Sign me up for keeping posted about the PSAs.  I have been lamenting that fact for a while now.    We know the NHQ Cadet Team is hard at it, but where is the NHQ PA Team?

[JC004]

Sign me up for keeping posted about the PSAs.  I have been lamenting that fact for a while now.    We know the NHQ Cadet Team is hard at it, but where is the NHQ PA Team?

They're taking a nap.  Everyone deserves a nap.  When they wake up, Pylon is going to force them into creating a marketing plan, making a nice style guide, and killing some of the logos, especially the freaking newish triangle thing.  DIE, TRIANGLE THING, DIE!

[High Speed Low Drag]

Sign me up for keeping posted about the PSAs.  I have been lamenting that fact for a while now.    We know the NHQ Cadet Team is hard at it, but where is the NHQ PA Team?

They're taking a nap.  Everyone deserves a nap.  When they wake up, Pylon is going to force them into creating a marketing plan, making a nice style guide, and killing some of the logos, especially the freaking newish triangle thing.  DIE, TRIANGLE THING, DIE!

JC004 - I'm onboard for a SpecOps mission to NHQ and assinate that (insert words here) THING.  We MUST kill it before it morphs into something else, the fate of mankind is at risk!   

A cold chill just went down my spine at the thought of it morphing.  I'll be in the corner sucking my thumb and talking to myself for awhile.

[mbrown]

+1 on keeping posted on the PSAs, I would love something to appropriately market Civil Air Patrol and to recruit more members, keep us posted.

[Pylon]

So... ideas, then? 

[High Speed Low Drag]

To begin with, although it was a nice attempt, the "Cadet Life" video must go.  In this day & age, pictures to music are a little passé.  I really, really, really liked the one "Preview to your Life."  We need more like that, only perhaps emphasizing squadron-level activities.  I would like to see one geared to aviation, another towards ground teams, another showing cadets that have gone on to high profile stuff (like SM Eric Boe, CAP) ((LOL)).   

[JC004]

JC004 - I'm onboard for a SpecOps mission to NHQ and assinate that (insert words here) THING.  We MUST kill it before it morphs into something else, the fate of mankind is at risk!   

A cold chill just went down my spine at the thought of it morphing.  I'll be in the corner sucking my thumb and talking to myself for awhile.

I think it morphed from the conference materials or something.  It is already on its path of destruction.  I have one - just one - question for those who inflicted it on us: why?

So I just went to our main domain (how many are there now?) to look for video and how my blood pressure is going up.  I like "We're There" and "I am a volunteer." 

I like the idea of getting a bunch of great NCSA video for PSAs, but the trouble is selling it like these cadets are going to join, then end up doing this NCSA stuff the next day.  I've read through the exit surveys that NHQ does.  There were quite a number of those "all we did was drill" comments in there. 

The message is the question.  We've got to drill down from there or NHQ would just make a runaway series of PSA like they have logos and other stuff.  So what will be the message without over-selling it?

[High Speed Low Drag]

I agree, that's why we need more activity-type (ground team, aviation, etc) stuff on PSAs vs. NCSAs.  I make it clear to our recruits that you have to go to encampment first before ever going to NCSA.  It is so sad that all some squadrons do is drill.  I belive that (for the most part), drill should be limited to 20 minutes a meeting.  There are exceptions - preparing for encampment, color gurd try-outs, etc.  But the rest should be other stuff.

We have a hard time finding a few extra minutes to squeeze a little bit of drill in at meetings.

[jimmydeanno]

I can't help but think that we should NOT be creating PSAs for such a limited portion of our program as NCSAs.  They are such a small part of what we do and such a small percentage of cadets actually do those things that I see it as false advertisement.  Which, I think we are all guilty of at some point.

What needs to be sold is the local squadron meetings, where everything happens.  If you can't sell someone on showing up each week they aren't going to be able to go to those fancy things in the first place.

So, what parts of our local meetings would be appealing to differing membership categories? 

Cadets
Teamwork
Honor
Pride
Life Skills
Leadership Training
Military Insight
Flying
Uniforms
ES
Aerospace Ed
activities
Scholarships

Pilots
Flying
helping kids
helping the community
cool flights suits
neato jackets

Other Seniors
ES
Helping kids
community involvement

Parents
Scholarships
Leadership development
discipline

I think it is difficult to come up with a plan for a PSA without an idea of what you want to accomplish with it and who the audience is. 

[MIKE]

What we really need is cartoon PSAs like the Coast Guard did... With Cappy and everything. 

Maritime Domain Awareness, Hoax Calls

[Pylon]

I agree the approach has to be on the local squadron adn things that most local squadrons do.  That doesn't mean just drill & ceremonies, but that does mean our PSAs shouldn't be heavy on things like flying a glider, traveling abroad, rappelling, and conducting mountain rescue. 

So especially for radio PSAs (which are not the same as just playing your TV PSAs without the sound), how do you sell the local program without the visuals?   "...Cadets learn to fly, lead,camp, help the community, get in shape, and push themselves to new limits..." or something like that? 

[High Speed Low Drag]

Can I have Petty Officer Penny join my squadron?

[Smithsonia]

Here's a PSA from a magazine during the War.

General Jimmy Doolittle says:

"By War Bonds
Join the Civil Air Patrol
Smoke Camels."

It was in color and obviously not paid for by CAP or Jimmy.