Odd Radio Commercial (Huntsville, Lexington: home, buy, live)

[skinem]

Lately I've been hearing what strikes me as a rather odd radio commercial...

It's been on WVNN and is basically a commercial for an air-to-ground missile made by Northrup/Grumman. It tells a little about it's capabilities and ends with the tag-line "Northrup/Grumman. We never forget who we're working for."

I've lived for all but about 10 years of my life either on military installations or in the the vicinity of defense communities and have never heard a commercial like that. (Coincidentally, there's another radio spot for Arnold Air Force Base getting some play in Middle TN. "Arnold Air Force Base. Your good neighbor.")
Who are these commercials aimed at and what is their purpose? Neither are exactly the "product" aimed at the typical commercial. "You know, that DOES sound like a good missile. Think I'll stop and pick one up on the way home from work."

Public relations? It seems to me both "products" have a good rep in the community. Figure there must be some stimulus money left in the budget that's gotta get spent.

I know it's not important, but they have just struck me as unnecessary and...odd. Just have been curious about them.

[Maya Blue]

They're just trying to get the attention of the contracts people in MDA here in town. Lots of big contracts still waiting to be awarded.

[harry chickpea]

Who are these commercials aimed at and what is their purpose? Neither are exactly the "product" aimed at the typical commercial. "You know, that DOES sound like a good missile. Think I'll stop and pick one up on the way home from work."

I saw it coming and I still spit coffee. I just sense the followups - "NEW and IMPROVED! Now with cruise control!"

What I find terrifying is that the "target" audience - the people who apparently buy missiles - are Rush Limbaugh fans. Boston had better install a missile defense shield pronto, or the Public broadcasting stations will be at risk...

[cpg35223]

Community relations and brand building. As Stewdog points out, they're also trying to create a positive brand image among contract officers in the area by saying, "Hey, we're not just this gigantic defense contractror. We're your friends and neighbors, too."

[wrcousert]

Better than a Red Ryder BB gun!

[phantomplan]

Slightly off topic, but my favorite local radio commercial I've heard:

"Young Boozer ... funny name, serious business"

[Reactionary]

I saw plenty of these ads when I lived in DC - usually at certain subway stations. They are feel good PR ads for people working defense, but mostly aimed at contract officers (as cpg noted). I've also seen a few billboards in HSV with similar ads.

BTW I've heard ads for JGAM on WVNN - not an MDA system but a Hellfire replacement (NEW and IMPROVED! Now with millimeter wave radar!). Boeing / Raytheon / Northrup-Grumman and Lock-Mart are competing for the contract.

News:

U.S. Army Poised to Award JAGM Contract - Defense News

harry - Boston (actually Raytheon in Waltham / Lexington) helps make Missile Defense systems (NEW and IMPROVED Radar! Now with X-Band!).

[harry chickpea]

"harry - Boston (actually Raytheon in Waltham / Lexington) helps make Missile Defense systems (NEW and IMPROVED Radar! Now with X-Band!)."

Oh great, now we'll have a war between Boston and Huntsville. Just what we need.

[Reactionary]

Just heard the ad - it's for Lock-Mart.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Just heard the ad - it's for Lock-Mart.

Yup...heard it myself since I posted originally.

Thanks for the correction.