PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Notes & Assignment

Background Builder What is a message? How is a message different from information? How do messages get us to feel angry? Sad? Sympathetic? Frightened? Do these messages make us take an action or make changes in our lives?

Evaluate a Message Public Service Announcement Target Audience Visual Imagery Call to Action Message

What is a PSA? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines a PSA as: "any announcement for which no charge is made and which promotes programs, activities, or services of federal, state, or local governments or the programs, activities or services of non-profit organizations and other announcements regarded as serving community interests.” In non-government speak, PSAs are messages in the public interest spread by the media without charge. DEFINE IT!

Early Beginnings The first unit to use PSAs that more closely resemble modern messages was the U.S. government. During the Civil War, the government sold bonds via newspaper advertisements provided without charge and placed throughout the North to raise money in support of the war. These ads demonstrating “what advertising could do” Resulting in the first national ad campaigns for baking powder, soap and railroad travel. Fun Fact: PSAs launched the commercial advertising industry.

War Driven Print Messages Federal Committee of Public Information was created to encourage public support and dramatize the reasons for “why we fight.” James Montgomery Flag drew the assignment to create the “Uncle Sam Needs You” poster shown below. Hundreds of PSA posters were to follow! All work was produced free including the design, printing and placement.

PSAs in Digital Media With the dawn of television in the early 50’s public service messages could be seen as well as heard. Soon the public was seeing messages such were raising public awareness and funds. "Smokey Bear – Only You Can Prevent Forrest Fires” "A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste," which raised millions for the United Negro College Fund American Cancer Society's "Fight Cancer with a Checkup and a Check"

PSAs Make a Difference In the late 1970’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a national campaign to reduce drunk driving. Grey Advertising, under contract to the government, developed the famous theme, ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.”

Get Ready to Evaluate…

Evaluate a Message Public Service Announcement Target Audience Visual Imagery Call to Action Message

Brainstorm Builder On your notecard, brainstorm 5+ topics for potential PSA Next, partner up trade cards with some who is not in your row or directly in front of and behind. Together as a pair, develop 3 NEW ideas not on either card and write those down. You should have a MINIMUM of 8 ideas!

Exit Ticket – Give Me 5 Give me 5 things you know about PSAs using 5 words per item. Example: PSAs can be for non-profits OR Give me 5 confusing parts of this lesson that your would like help with