People sitting in movie theaters in the Philadelphia area waiting for the latest summer blockbuster to begin have been seeing a commercial promoting the benefits of a Catholic school education.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been running the 30-second commercials on 264 movie theater screens since July 6.
The $120,000 effort is an expansion of a marketing campaign the archdiocese launched to boost enrollment. I’ve read that enrollment at the archdiocese’s Catholic elementary schools has dropped drastically. In fact, my children’s elementary school was joined by another nearby Catholic school due to dipping numbers.
I’ve seen ads for Catholic schools everywhere now. I hope it works but one thing puzzled me. Ads for Catholic schools with no mention of Jesus. I know Catholicism has been through the public relations ringer recently but I’m pretty sure Jesus still has strong favorables. Go with your strong suit, I say.
August 5, 2007 at 2:34 am
Good point!
If they aren’t Christ-centered, what’s the point!
August 5, 2007 at 4:46 am
I think that’s what you get when you hire a high prices advertising firm. hey maybe it’ll work. But is getting numbers your bottom line?
August 6, 2007 at 6:09 pm
I think this type of advertising is a failing which is common among ads today. It is all based on a broad appeal, least common denominator approach. Instead, advertising should focus on the uniqueness of its subject and targeting the people most likely to change their minds. A good market niche might be Christians who are fed up with public school’s lack of mentioning God.
Perhaps you guys can run a contest of advertising slogans for Catholic schooling:
“Your kid need discipline, we got it!”
August 6, 2007 at 7:50 pm
not a bad idea. my kids go to catholic school. I just feel so much more comfortable with it. I shudder to think what kids learn in public schools in “Health” class or even Physical Education.