September 11, 2002

9:15 PM

Campaign for Freedom. The Ad Council does some good work. This campaign has been running for a bit, but until yesterday I'd only seen the spot Main Street USA. The others in the series, like this and this are probably my favorites-- all the more so because we're heading in exactly that direction.
posted by Cerebus (12 comments total)

Way too weird.

I was grooving on those I am an American spots too, and their website link is "already visited" on my browser tonight.
posted by baylink at 9:21 PM on September 11, 2002

saw the library one for the first time tonight. excellent.
posted by donkeyschlong at 9:42 PM on September 11, 2002

You done good, Cerebus.

I was about to slap something together on this myself, after seeing several of the spots. Glad I waited; your version is much better.
posted by RavinDave at 12:43 AM on September 12, 2002

I don't like them.
posted by cadastral at 1:48 AM on September 12, 2002

I've been referring to them as the "anti-John Ashcroft commercials". I wonder if that's how the ad council meant them? Aren't they the guys who invented "this is your brain on drugs"?
posted by JoanArkham at 3:56 AM on September 12, 2002

Thanks for the compliments.

JoanArkham: That campaign came from The Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Whatever you might feel about the Ad Council, you have to admit they are pretty darn effective at what they do. Their litany of success over the last 60 years is pretty impressive, and these campaigns have entered the public conciousness in a big way.

The best part is the talent is all volunteer. That's amazing.
If I say "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," "Only you can prevent forest fires,", "Friends don't let friends drive drunk" or "The toughest job you'll ever love," most people would immediately know what I was talking about. That's a lot of power, and I'm pleased to see it wielded in the cause of highlighting our basic freedoms.

The most amazing part is that the talent is all volunteer. Very cool.
posted by Cerebus at 6:06 AM on September 12, 2002

Great post, Cerebus. I thought the spots were so very appropriate One Year Later... in fact, I used my favorite as my link on the 9/11 tribute post.
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 6:16 AM on September 12, 2002

I thought they were great, and I'm glad you've posted this Cerebus.

I wonder who is it that actually finances this organization..
posted by eas98 at 7:18 AM on September 12, 2002

eas98, the AdCouncil is a non-profit corporation to which ad agencies donate their time, and which takes cash donations from institutions and the public to buy media placement for the campaigns they create. Here is the site for the Campaign for Freedom, with a secure donation form.
posted by nicwolff at 9:56 AM on September 12, 2002

Whoops, I've been corrected by a friend who works at the AdCouncil: cash donations go for production costs for the ads; TV and magazine space for the ads is donated.
posted by nicwolff at 10:14 AM on September 12, 2002

Will these ads be considered subversive by some?
posted by 4midori at 12:26 PM on September 12, 2002

4midiori, I sure as hell hope so.
posted by alumshubby at 2:06 PM on September 12, 2002