Last Thursday evening, the upstairs room at Springfield Brewing Company turned everyday ad folks into Jeopardy-like trivia competitors! Six rounds of questions ranging from local restaurant logo identification to music used in advertisements to product and service slogans to advertising industry acronyms – and more – brought together the 10th annual Ad Club Ad Trivia Competition.

Teams included KOLR, KSFX, KY3, Clear Channel, St. John’s and a new competitor dpi (Digital Print Ink). Special thanks to dpi for joining in on the fun! But, when the dust settled, the St. John’s team came out ahead. Well, it was actually the “St. John’s – Tracker Marine Group – KSMU/OPTV – Marlin – Palmisano Marketing” team. Members included: Chuck Clore, Eric Ray, Linda Palmisano, Barb McMeekin, Karen and John Braun, Amy Tuggle and Jill Fannin.

We offer a huge round of thanks to the event coordinator and emcee extraordinaire, Kat Morgan-Gaines. And, too Brett Piper, Anna Bolt-Ezell and Jay Nicholson!

A new twist of offering extra points to teams contributing non-perishable food items for Ozarks Food Harvest was a huge success. We netted three large boxes of food to donate! Thank you!

Tune in next spring to see who walks away with the giant 6-foot traveling trophy. It could be your team!

Past winners:
1999 - KTTS
2000 - KTTS
2001 - Midwest Family Broadcast Group
2002 - Mercy Marvels
2003 - Clear Channel Radio
2004 - KOLR 10
2005 - KY3
2006 – KOLR/KSFX
2007 – Clear Channel Radio

We owe our sincerest gratitude to the Ad Club members! Your support has been crucial for our public service project. Please know we appreciate everyone’s efforts to share the great news about this program.

Keep up the momentum as we go through growing season and then begin another big push for the collection of donations!

Remember, we’re still selling the handy green OHH reusable bags. They are $4 each or 3 for $10. You can purchase them at any Ad Club meeting – or, let us know and we can make other arrangements.

There’s some new stuff at the Library… advertising and marketing stuff, that is. Ad Club was proud to provide another annual donation of $200 to the Springfield-Greene County Library District for the purchase of advertising and marketing related books. A nameplate is placed in the front of each book. Be sure to check out these great reads:

Accidental Branding by David Vinjamuri
Mobile Advertising by Chetan Sharma
How to Sell Anything by Jonathan Bing
Jump Point by Tom Hayes
Media Rules by Brian Reich
Boomer Consumer by Matt Thornhill
Living the brand by Nicholas Ind
Inspired Marketing by Joe Vitale
Digimarketing by Kent Wertime
DNA of Customer Experience by Colin Shaw

The Standard’s 2007 “Back to Campus” issue was named the top back-to-school/orientation issue in a national contest conducted by College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers Inc. The Standard’s entry was named Best of Category, placing it above all entries in both divisions — one for papers that circulate fewer than 40,000 copies per week and one for those with more than 40,000. The Standard’s weekly circulation is 14,000.

“Back to Campus” is a 108-page guide to everything a new or returning student needs to know about Springfield and Missouri State University. It is inserted into The Standard’s first issue of the fall semester and is mailed directly to all new MSU students.

The award was presented at the annual CNBAM convention on March 29 in San Antonio. The contest judge wrote, “Excellent job! Impressive 108-page book was colorful and informative. Very well organized. Excellent job with ad sales. Your back-to-school issue set a high standard in this contest!”

“Back to Campus” was produced in the summer of 2007. Advertising Manager Stephanie Jenkins directed ad sales. The sales team was Drew Brucker, Carrie Chaffin, Samantha Gregory, Chris Triplett and Matana Wellman. Laura Willming was the ad designer. Editor in Chief Stephen Herzog directed the editorial content. The editorial staff was Stephen Bubalo, Jeff Faust, Jennifer Hollis, Sarah Khan, Bazil Manietta, Anna McCollum, Kandice McKee, Kai Raymer, Jess Rollins, Carly Wilburn and Whitney Wilkins.

The Standard’s 2006 “Back to Campus” issue won third place in the under-40,000 division.

AAF Submits Behavioral Advertising Guidelines Comments to FTC
The AAF has joined with a number of industry groups to submit comments on behavioral advertising guidelines proposed by the Federal Trade Commission, arguing that these self-regulatory principles must not limit consumer benefits. In arguing for the implementation of the principles, the commission has not articulated any concerns that behavioral advertising harms consumers. The AAF does not believe their proposal strikes an appropriate balance between restrictions on the use of the information and the benefits to consumers through the use of that information. Additionally, true self-regulation is developed by the affected industries, not the government.

Sen. Dorgan Introduces FTC Reauthorization Act
A bill introduced in the Senate could drastically increase the enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission, including increased civil penalties and harsher restrictions on intrastate and interstate telemarketing and the ability to "fast track" rulemaking decisions. The FTC Reauthorization Act of 2008 (S. 2831) was introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who chairs the Interstate Commerce, Trade and Tourism Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill would allow a majority of the commissioners to waive current rulemaking procedures in favor of a faster one that could result in hasty decisions without sufficient input and consideration by all interested parties. The comprehensive legislation would make it easier for states to expand Do-Not-Call regulations, repeal the telecommunications common carrier exemption and provide the FTC with the authority to litigate any civil action involving the Federal Trade Commission Act. The proposed changes would be funded by a 10 percent increase in the FTC's appropriations each year over the next seven years. Congress has not passed a FTC reauthorization bill since 1996.

Reps. DeLauro and Schakowsky Call for FDA Side Effects Hotline
Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., have written a letter to the Food and Drug Administration urging the implementation of a proposal that all televised direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements include a phone number for consumers to report adverse side effects to the agency. Their letter cites a Consumer Reports survey saying that most respondents were unaware that side effects could be reported to the FDA. Congress already mandates that all print DTC ads contain FDA contact information and has called on the agency to investigate whether a similar requirement is needed for television ads.

Majoras Resigns From FTC; Commissioner Kovacic Named Chairman
Following the resignation of Deborah Platt Majoras, President George W. Bush has named William E. Kovacic as chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, effective June 1. Kovacic, a Republican, has been a commissioner at the agency since 2006 and as a result, does not need Senate confirmation to become chairman. The other commissioners are J. Thomas Rosch, a Republican, Pamela Jones Harbour, an independent, and Jon Leibowitz, a Democrat. The White House has not indicated whether it will nominate a new commissioner, who would face Senate confirmation.

AAF Government Report is available to all members of the AAF. If you are interested in receiving an e-mailed copy, please e-mail government@aaf.org.

If you are interested in receiving AAF SmartBrief, an opt-in news service, please visit www.smartbrief.com/aaf. AAF SmartBrief condenses advertising industry news from dozens of media sources into a succinct, easy to read e-mail.

Many times Northwest Springfield children don't participate in organized sport or activity because of prohibitive costs. The purpose of this league is to remove the cost barrier and implement a youth sport program that includes everyone… even those with the least.

Coaches & Volunteers Needed: If you are a Community Member who is looking for a good way to spend some time this summer then give some time and get involved. If you represent a local business then find a way to make a contribution or provide needed in-kind support to this Free Youth Softball League.

To Learn More about Coaching, Volunteering, or Sponsorship Opportunities call Derek @ 693-4205.

New Works Fellowship is hosting a benefit auction for Water Is Basic and a local camp, SoulQuench. Water is Basic is an organization devoted to providing water to the Sudan. It is the mission of Water is Basic to come alongside the Sudanese leaders and provide them with the equipment needed to drill wells. The vision of Water is Basic is to see a well drilled in every village in the Sudan.

The auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Karen Schembs, from Neosho, will be in concert during the auction. New Works is located at 4234 S. Reed Avenue in Springfield. Auction items are welcome! To learn more, contact Gary Standefer at 417-894-8354.

Things are still in high-gear for Ozarks Harvesting Hope getting the word out before and during planting season. So far, the tv and radio spots have been produced and are airing, the press release distributed, point-of-purchase signs taken to area nurseries and gardening centers, rack cards printed, news interviews, web banner ads… and more! The program is receiving an immense amount of positive energy. We are grateful for the generosity and pooling of resources on behalf of the ad community and the Ad Club.

OHH REUSABLE BAGS FOR SALE: If you missed the cool news, OHH has for sale large green handled reusable bags. The donation request is $4 each or 3 for $10. We’ll have the bags at each event, or you can get in touch with us for more information.

KIDS GARDENING EVENT: Our next big push is the planning and promoting of a kids gardening event, “Young Sprouts in the Garden,” to be held Saturday, May 31 at Nathanael Greene Park. The premise if for kids to visit a dozen or more interactive participant booths to learn something about gardening and then they will receive a prize. Those committed so far are Springfield-Greene Co. Park Board (partner), Master Gardeners (partner), Ozarks Harvesting Hope (partner), National Weather Service, Discovery Center, Rutledge-Wilson Farm, Show Me Yards & Neighborhoods, and Springfield Nature Center. Several others are in the works. If you have ideas or can help us promote this – hey, we’d love that, just let us know!

WANT TO LEARN TO GROW VEGETABLES?
Attend this event, VEGETABLE GARDENING FOR BEGINERS, on Saturday, May 10, from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Midtown Carnegie Library. Topics will include Preparing Soil, Purchasing Plants and Seeds, Harvesting and Container Gardening.
Program Hosted by Master Gardeners: Shelley Vaugine & Gina Marie Walden
Call for registration 576-0473 or 862-4399

If you haven’t heard, Ad Club is partnering to host a kids gardening event on behalf of Ozarks Harvesting Hope. We’ll need your help to make it a great day for area kids and their families.

Volunteer areas include:
– Volunteer the day of the event to help with welcome/prize tents and other activities.
– Help with publicizing the event (we have several things in the works, but can always use more marketing assistance!).
– Find kid gardening related coupons/offers to be given away that day.
– We need donations of plastic cups for seed planting (if you have restaurant clients, could you ask for 25-50 per client, we’re hoping to have 300-500 kids visit).

Here’s more information about the event:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2008

Young Sprouts in the Garden to Highlight
Fun and Benefits of Gardening for Kids

Kids and their families are invited to “Young Sprouts in the Garden,” Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic in Springfield. Admission is free.

Master Gardeners of Greene County, Ozarks Harvesting Hope and Springfield Greene-County Parks and Recreation have partnered for this community educational event to promote and encourage an interest in gardening for children and teens, and to also foster an appreciation and respect for how we relate to plants and our environment. Interactive exhibits and booths will offer a chance to learn about or participate in activities such as planting a seed, sun safety, vegetable and fruit nutrition, horticulture careers, weather, trees, recycling and more.

Participants include: Ozarks Harvesting Hope, Master Gardeners of Greene County, Rutledge-Wilson Farm Community Park, National Weather Service, Campbell’s Farm, Discovery Center, Show Me Yards & Neighborhoods, Springfield Conservation Nature Center, St. John’s Clinic – Pediatrics – Smith Glynn Callaway, Wickman’s Garden Village and Ryan Lawn & Tree.

Tours of the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens will be available. While supplies last, children will receive an Ozarks Harvesting Hope gardening apron for visiting the participating exhibits.

Ozarks Harvesting Hope, a part of the national Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign, is a local public service project of the Springfield Ad Club and Master Gardeners of Greene County.

For more information, call the University of Missouri Extension (Master Gardener) office at 417-862-9284 or visit www.ozarksharvestinghope.com.

Note of appreciation...

Barb: I'm still a little flabbergasted over the Silver Medalist Award. Please pass on my thanks and humble appreciation to the Ad Club Board and members. It was a great honor and an even bigger surprise.

I've heard of people who have near death experiences see their life pass before their eyes, but usually they are the only ones watching. It's a lot more embarassing when there is a whole room full of advertising and media professionals watching it with you. Regardless, it was a memorable night.

Thanks again.

Gary Whitaker, President/Publisher
Whitaker Publishing