The Ads on the Bus Go, "Buy! Buy! Buy!"

“This Yellow Space for Rent” by Catherine Rampell
New York Times, April 15, 2011

Topic: Advertising in Government owned space

Summary: Schools and other Government property are being used as advertising space as a source of revenue. Some states have been selling ads on school busses, in cafeterias, on school websites, and in holding areas at jails.

Intended audience: General Public

Key Points:

• Schools, jails, and other government entities are strapped for cash
• They can earn money by selling advertisements that are placed in cafeterias, on websites, in jails, and on the sides of school busses.
• Do we want our kids exposed to even more advertising, especially when it gives the impression that the school is endorsing the products?
• There are some bans on advertising for sexual content, alcohol, and tobacco on school busses, but not necessarily for junk food – just as we are taking those items physically out of schools, we are putting them back in the form of advertisements.

Relevance: I have mixed feelings about this. I think it is a very innovative way for the schools to earn a little extra money in times when every penny really counts; however, I don’t like the idea of advertisements in a school cafeteria for kids as young as kindergarten. It really sends the message to young kids that these items are OK because you saw about them