Let’s face it, the military preys on the poor, who have few options. Madison Metro is helping that happen – at what price? Or profit?
What if you had to choose:
a) Not go to college because you can’t afford it or
b) go into the military so you can afford to go to college and maybe get killed along the way?
OR
a) Stay in Madison and be unemployed because you are black and the unemployment rate in Wisconsin for you is at 25% or
b) Join the military so you can make a decent wage and maybe get killed along the way?
That’s probably not a choice many who read my blog need or needed to make, but I am friends with and related to some people who have made this choice. And chose the military. And so I have strong feelings about it. So, it makes me sick to know that Madison Metro is advertising for the military in multiple ways on the buses, that are mostly used by lower income people, and many kids and others who might find this as the only option. And maybe get killed along the way.
So, what are we getting for advertising? Here’s the answer.
The National Guard purchased an ad on our transfers, system map, Ride Guide, as well as interior cards on 100 buses. The collection of ads was sold for $5,500 that runs until the middle of November.
I’ve attached a copy of Metro’s Advertising Policy. It includes the following sections governing what we can/can’t accept:
Copy Standards
Metro Transit System will accept all copy, graphics and photos except those which are obscene, libelous, or fraudulent. Metro Transit System will not accept any advertisements for tobacco and tobacco related products in the advertising space provided in and on buses operated by the City of Madison.Medium Restrictions
Any advertising that might interfere with safe, timely, convenient operation of buses or the safety of riders or the general public will not be allowed on buses. This includes advertising that contains flashing lights, sound makers, mirrors and other special effects. Distribution of flyers, prizes, and the like as an advertising medium is prohibited under Madison’s policy on distribution and collection of information.Part of their package includes interior cards. Mick Rusch is our Marketing Manager, and oversees this contract as part of his responsibilities. He asked Adams to stay clear of the 500 series buses when placing the interior ad cards. These are the older buses in the fleet, and are most regularly used on school runs. While we probably don’t have ground to specifically prohibit the ads on that part of the fleet, Adams and the National Guard were encouraged to do so and agreed.
Ann Gullickson
Transit Service Manager
So, are your kids or your nieces and nephews or your neighbors kids lives worth $5K?
We should have never passed these policies about increased advertising and this is a most excellent example of why. The staff are just following the rules. Here are a few more reasons our advertising policies are bad. Comments from people on a listserve.
Another predatory practice that you may not be aware of is audio ads ON buses. There was a presentation on the subject at a TPC meeting several months ago. Metro may have little control over who runs ads once they approve having ads, but they don’t have to approve having ads in the first place, whether for ads wrapping windows or audio ads.
p.s. My favorite had been the window wraps advertising Pabst beer.
and
While I probably wouldn’t choose to have National Guard ads on the back of transfers, that is certainly less offensive than the bus wraps that turn our buses into semis advertising, casinos, liquor, beer, cellular phones, etc. There are many other reasons to not use the full wraps, but content by itself is questionable.
I know, I know, we’ve already decided, so council members won’t want to discuss. But I think its worth talking about. They made a bad decision and now we are seeing happen what many warned about and were ignored. Do we really want to be making this captive audience listen to and see these ads day after day? I mean, they advertise this way, because its effective, right? Should the City of Madison government play its role in war? And should our kids pay the ultimate price? I think not.
