Contacts
Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
- Phone: (925) 625-6287
- Fax: (925) 625-5309
- Email: brdon@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#DonA
Date: 07/29/2008
WASHINGTON DC (July 29) -- The Ad Council, Forest Service, and National Association of State Foresters announced they are pulling the Smokey Bear "ATV" Public Service Announcement (PSA). In a July 28 updated email to the ATV community, the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service stated they have asked all media outlets to discontinue the airing of the ad.
This cessation of the ad came as a result of an effort by many ATV and motorized access stakeholders to alert the agencies that the ad was offensive and was sending the wrong message to the recreating public. This action was prompted by requests from many responsible motorized recreation interests to pull or modify the ad to make the message more relevant and accurate.
Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states, "I honestly believe the agencies had intended to create a positive message regarding safe use of OHVs on public lands. However, the PSA incorrectly conveyed to the ATV rider that the best way for them to prevent wildfires was to stay at home. Instead, the ad should have encouraged the use of USDA Forest Service approved spark arrestors and limiting travel to approved routes and areas."
"BRC thanks the agencies for listening to our collective concerns about this ad and for taking the responsible course of action by canceling the campaign. It is our hope the Ad Council and Forest Service consult with their trail recreation experts and the OHV community before launching another motorized recreation ad," Amador concludes.
# # #
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. http://www.sharetrails.org
Link
Don Amador, BRC Western Representative
- Phone: (925) 625-6287
- Fax: (925) 625-5309
- Email: brdon@sharetrails.org
- Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#DonA
Date: 07/29/2008
WASHINGTON DC (July 29) -- The Ad Council, Forest Service, and National Association of State Foresters announced they are pulling the Smokey Bear "ATV" Public Service Announcement (PSA). In a July 28 updated email to the ATV community, the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service stated they have asked all media outlets to discontinue the airing of the ad.
This cessation of the ad came as a result of an effort by many ATV and motorized access stakeholders to alert the agencies that the ad was offensive and was sending the wrong message to the recreating public. This action was prompted by requests from many responsible motorized recreation interests to pull or modify the ad to make the message more relevant and accurate.
Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, states, "I honestly believe the agencies had intended to create a positive message regarding safe use of OHVs on public lands. However, the PSA incorrectly conveyed to the ATV rider that the best way for them to prevent wildfires was to stay at home. Instead, the ad should have encouraged the use of USDA Forest Service approved spark arrestors and limiting travel to approved routes and areas."
"BRC thanks the agencies for listening to our collective concerns about this ad and for taking the responsible course of action by canceling the campaign. It is our hope the Ad Council and Forest Service consult with their trail recreation experts and the OHV community before launching another motorized recreation ad," Amador concludes.
# # #
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. http://www.sharetrails.org
Link