It’s time to get physical with the fiscal budget.
So says Public Notice, a non-profit organization which seeks to raise the public’s attention about America’s fiscal woes through “education and awareness” campaigns.
Their latest ad in their “Bankrupting America” campaign will appear in local Washington, D.C. gyms and comes right in time to catch the attention of those trying lose weight in anticipation of spring break season. The ad depicts a hefty man dressed as government spending struggling to sweat it off on the treadmill.
WATCH: Public Notice’s gym ad
“Budget season, spring bring break season, they both meld together,” said Gretchen Hamel, executive director of Public Notice.
“It’s that time of year when everyone’s still carrying out their new year’s resolutions,” Hamel said. “Government spending has to trim down as well.”
Hamel said Public Notice attempts to reach those directly involved in shaping the budget by placing ads all over Washington Metro stations and in Capitol Hill gyms, restaurants and bars.
Billboards placed at Union Station and elsewhere in Washington, for example, read: “Newly-elected member of Congress to-do list: 1. Find office, 2. Cut spending.”
Coasters and posters placed in area bars and restaurants say, “I like my government spending how I like my beer: cheap.”
While the edgy ads try to capture the attention of the politically-minded, Public Notice also seeks to reach an audience outside that demographic.
“If the message has a pop, we can appeal to an audience that wouldn’t normally be engaged in politics,” she said. “Whether you’re flying, eating or working out, you’re reading the message.”
Members of Public Notice call themselves “equal-cut opportunists” and feel they need to appeal to both sides of the aisle to get their desired results.
Rather than play politics, Public Notice simply wants to educate the masses on the need to cut spending.
“We try to bring what’s inside the beltway outside the beltway,” Hamel said.
Check out the slideshow below of Public Notice’s more popular ad campaigns.
