UFPJ on the Billboard Project
Dear UFPJ Member Groups:
You may remember that we launched a national Billboard Project in November and invited you to take part. The project is doing well and we once again invite you to join.
The image on the left shows one of 5 poster billboards obtained by the project for the Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice in Michigan. The fullsize billboard on the right is that of the Northwest Indiana Coalition Against the Iraq War. A similar billboard was obtained by the project on I-65 in Indiana for the Lafayette Area Peace Coalition. Very shortly other antiwar billboards will go up in Brooklyn, NY, Albany, NY and Portland, OR and several more are in the works.
We may be able to help your group obtain a billboard in your community. We'll handle most of the logistics, but it's up to your group to raise the funds for your own billboard. Because we arrange for public service announcement (PSA) rates, it's more affordable than you might think.
Here's how it works. In order to obtain a PSA rate from a billboard company, the contracting party has to be a documented 501c3 organization. PeaceRoots.org, a member group of UFPJ, is a not-for-profit with years of experience partnering with local groups: they've posted over 200 progressive billboards and other signage across the country. They can partner with your group. If you happen to have 501c3 status, they can still partner with you. They know how to negotiate with billboard companies, and -- importantly -- they can arrange design and production of the sign at a reduced rate.
Rates, availability, and length of contracts for PSAs vary widely from place to place. The billboard on the right above cost about $1,350 -- roughly $600 for production, $600 to the billboard company to install the billboard, and a 10% charge by PeaceRoots.org for their time and expenses. For that investment of $1,350, the billboard will remain up for one year -- though it may be moved to a different location if a commercial customer wants that space. This is certainly the most favorable arrangement you can be looked for. By comparison, the 5 Lansing poster boards shown on the left cost a total of about $1,500 for one month. That's still a very cost-effect price, as you can see by reading the newspaper coverage at http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803250324
You could use the designs shown above (but with your web address), select a "Support the Troops, Bring Them Home Now" design, or come up with a design of your own. But keep in mind that PSA messages have to be non-partisan and not too controversial -- for example, "Impeach" or "Killer" messages wouldn't be accepted.
We hope you'll talk this project over in your group. If you're interested and want to learn more, please contact the Billboard Project Coordinator directly. That's Tony Shafton at ashafton@aol.com or (219) 939-2050.
One last thing: arranging for a billboard is quite time-consuming, so projects have to be undertaken on a first-come first-served basis.
peace,
Leslie Cagan
National Coordinator, UFPJ