Public Service Ads Promote Condom Use as Preventive Measure Against AIDS

Strategic Insights -

Public service announcements encouraging condom use as a preventive measure against AIDS are set to be screened by major television networks and radio stations across the country. However, decisions on airing the ads are a matter of taste and timing for each station. The announcements, aimed at people aged 18 to 25, promote the use of latex condoms to prevent AIDS. All major television networks and many radio stations have agreed to air the public service announcements, which include seven different television spots and three radio advertisements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's new public service ads promote condom use as a preventive measure against AIDS, targeting people aged 18 to 25.
  • The ads, in English and Spanish, include seven different television spots and three radio advertisements.
  • Most television stations will defer a decision on whether to air the ads until after a screening, while some radio stations may require editing before airing.
  • Hope Kavoosi, head of the community service department at WBBM-TV in Chicago, said the station will likely run the ads but may air them in the middle of the night if they are 30 seconds long.
  • Network affiliates in Los Angeles and New York have not viewed the spots but have policies regarding controversial ads and will screen them for appropriateness.
  • Some ads have been rejected in the past because of poor production quality and lack of sponsor identification.
  • Lee Armstrong, program director of ABC affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta, said the station will air health-related messages pending a screening.
  • Sheryl Gripper, vice president for community affairs at NBC affiliate WXIA-TV in Atlanta, said the station will determine after a screening what time the ads will be shown.
  • Herman Ramsay, general manager of independent WGNX-TV in Atlanta, said he does not foresee any problems airing the new PSAs.
  • Edgar Aguilar, program director for WRMF, an independent Spanish-language radio station in Florida, said the station does not use the term 'condom' on the air but can edit the announcements and air them without the word.

Statistics:

  • The government's public service announcements are targeted at people aged 18 to 25.
  • The ads are available in English and Spanish.
  • The announcements include seven different television spots and three radio advertisements.
  • Most television stations will defer a decision on whether to air the ads until after a screening.
  • In Los Angeles, network affiliates KABC-TV and KNBC-TV have not viewed the spots but have policies regarding controversial ads.

Sources:

  • United Press International
  • Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala
  • Hope Kavoosi, head of the community service department at WBBM-TV in Chicago
  • Lee Armstrong, program director of ABC affiliate WSB-TV in Atlanta
  • Sheryl Gripper, vice president for community affairs at NBC affiliate WXIA-TV in Atlanta
  • Herman Ramsay, general manager of independent WGNX-TV in Atlanta
  • Renee Morales, spokeswoman for CBS's WCIX-TV in Miami
  • Edgar Aguilar, program director for WRMF, an independent Spanish-language radio station in Florida
  • Carlos Alvarez de Castillo, program director of another WRMF affiliate