Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Comment on Ads

To get the attention of 20 somethings, the ads need to be provocative--which might be shocking to non-twenty-somethings. Because of their provocative nature, there is a chance they will get media attention as "cutting edge" or some such. Free media attention is usually a good thing--but in this case the wider exposure might give us heartburn.

Placement is an issue as well. While the ad was generic, the fact that we advertised the Saturday evening service in Leo and Velocity was the reason that several new members came to St. Mark's. One such person said, "I figured any church that would advertise in Leo was the kind of church I was looking for." Others, however, might wonder why on earth a church would advertise in bars, alternative publications, etc.

But places where 20 somethings dance and hang out to talk, are the best places to reach this unchurched group. To reach the unchurched you have to go where the unchurched are. This is tricky--you will recall how much grief going out with prostitutes, gluttons, and drunkards caused Jesus. As a general rule, the already religious don't like it much.

All of the above is, of course, why parishes don't do more in trying to reach this demographic. It may very well be that we too cannot make this attempt to reach them. The internal downside might just be too high a price to pay for the experiment.

What do you think?

4 comments:

Meredith said...

My first reaction to the "Meet Your Maker's" was the similarity of the font to a certain adult beverage...I'm familiar with it because Jim's company distributes it. That's not a copyright infringement is it?? Other than that concern, I think this is a creative way to grab the attention of Gen Y. I have no issue with the "edginess" of the campaign. As a matter of fact, they are not as edgy as I expected! Thanks for sharing...

Just Katherine--Patron Saint of Hot Messes said...

I too was expecting something edgier! I like the Maker's ad the best, but they're all good.

Anonymous said...

I think that the ads are extremely creative. However, I also feel that they are totally inappropriate for a church to use such "edgy" modes of advertising.
I am sure that they will grab many people's attention, but I am not sure what their reaction might be. A thirty one year old that I showed them to thought they were weird--sick.

Anonymous said...

I remember similar "edgy" ads being published in the free weekly paper in Lexington, KY where I grew up. They really caught my attention when I was a teen/20-something. I felt proud to be part of a church that knows how to meet people where they are. How about buying ad space on the back of restroom stall doors at local restaurants and bars?