Help create a bike ad in the Willamette Week
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on March 21st, 2007 at 8:58 am
If you read the Willamette Week, you’ve probably noticed the River City Bicycles‘ ads. The shop has a long-running ad space in the local weekly and they always have a provocative message.
In the past they’ve been funny, inspirational, and even controversial. Remember when Pepsico threatened to sue them over their Quaker Oats spot?
Now, they’ve taken it a step further and they’re handing the creative reins to customers who entered their Commuter of the Year contest.
One such customer was Ronjon Datta. Ronjon didn’t win the competition, but as a consolation prize, River City is letting him design a 1/2 page, full-color ad in the Willamette Week. Ronjon told me he’s having trouble thinking of something creative and wants the bike community to come up with some ideas,
“All I want is an original, eye-catching, inspiring message which promotes bicycling.”
So now’s your chance. What message do you want Portland to hear about bikes? Should it be funny or serious or both?
Weigh in below with your thoughts. The deadline is next week (3/29).
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March 21st, 2007 09:27
I think we should set a time when we invite everyone who owns a bicycle to some central location like the riverfront. Have Jonathan take a group photo of the thousands of us who are there to show the true size of this community. And the caption would simply say, "Join Us."
March 21st, 2007 09:30
The first slogan that comes to mind (likely prompted by your Coasting post yesterday) is something along the lines of "Bikes: they're not just for weenies anymore." ;>
March 21st, 2007 09:33
How do we get a hold of Ronjon?
March 21st, 2007 09:35
"I'd rather be wasting gas, stuck in traffic, and getting fat..."
March 21st, 2007 09:44
The driver's ed post card which can be seen at:
http://www.shift2bikes.org/safety
would make a worthy advert
March 21st, 2007 09:45
"Fight global warming, dependence on foreign oil, air pollution, and America's obesity epidemic all at the same time -- ride a bike"
March 21st, 2007 09:51
"Be Fit, Have Fun, Save Money"
March 21st, 2007 10:06
I had entered the contest with the idea that if I won I would run an add for bike helmet use, the tag line being :
"Where's Your Helmet? WEAR your helmet!"
Ronjon or RC should feel free to use it.
March 21st, 2007 11:13
I like a picture of a parent and child riding bikes together. Child wearing helmet, parent without and the caption reads:
FUTURE ORPHANS OF AMERICA.
WALK YOUR TALK.
March 21st, 2007 11:34
Stage a photo that juxataposes a fit, attractive young female on a cruiser bike riding past a overweight, poorly dressed, and unattractive guy stuffing his maw with fast food while standing next to his Hummer H2 with a US flag and "Support the Troops" stickers on it.
Caption: "Who is the REAL patriot?"
Then a bit of body copy along the lines of A.O.'s sentiments in post #6.
Contraversial, thought provoking, and a bit bit humorous too. I think this sums up what most cyclists are thinking and challenges like-minded non-cyclists to join us.
March 21st, 2007 12:15
I'm already overexcited at the response, and the responses. Lets keep them coming. With so many ideas, I'm wondering about simplicity vs. complexity. There are multiple ideas we'll want to do in the end, I hope we can combine many of them with out overstimulating and utterly confusing viewers.
Bike safety! Bike community! Relieve multiple forms of suffering in one crank! I like the clever anecdotes too.
The pic of thousands sounds like something I'd almost like to see anyway.
I think the tricky part is not to alienate a large group of potential bikers...
I would also like to list some resources in the ad (BTA, PDOT, CCC, bike lawyers and legal/saftey courses, maintanence courses...). This ad could a really useful fridge pin-up. So if you know of some, let them be known.
Some notes: The ad space is 5.8" x 13.1", a little more than 1/2 page. I may also have access to a graphic designer if needed.
Thanks!
Ronjon
feel free to: dattar@ohsu.edu
March 21st, 2007 13:30
OK. How about a bike plate (for the rear) that reads:
"Naturally Powered, No War Required"
March 21st, 2007 14:39
i would like to see something that shows how fun, practical, and even sexy cycling is.
March 21st, 2007 14:55
Gee, I've been waiting a long time for this...lessee...
"I you were biking, you'd be having fun by now!"
"New car: $10,000. New bike: $1,000 Clean Air and Water: Priceless"
"Clean Air and Water: Priceless, Clean Air and Water: Priceless, Clean Air and Water: Priceless."
"Instant Patriotism"
"No Terror Required"
"Powered by Natural Gasses"
"Ever Actually Sung In The Rain?"
I desist...
March 21st, 2007 16:44
I love the fridge-pin-up idea! How about including things like numbers to call to report pot-holes or road rage incidents?
Or how about a simple 4-part cartoon showing How to Fix a Flat?
Sounds like you can't really go wrong -- have fun!
March 22nd, 2007 09:40
Get real.
Ride a bike!
March 23rd, 2007 10:29
Bike Friendly: If you're on a bike, you're a friend.
March 24th, 2007 14:08
Alright!
I'm starting to envision what will come of this ad. I am thinking along the lines of multiple pictures in a collage style, with many of these anecdotes spread over the ad. Hopefully it will be possible to superimpose this collage over some kind of cool graphic image. And a list of resources as well. I think we can reach those who drive and those like-minded folks who dont bike.
Does anyone have an image of some serious road rage? I mean, behind the wheel, clutching it with extreme force, screaming at the top of lungs road rage. I'd like to contrast this with an image capturing the pleasantness of cruising on a well-lubed bike.
I would like a picture of a parent pulling child, and maybe one of someone hauling groceries. I think I'll find most of what i need in Jonathan's archives, but if you guys know of some online resources whare i can download bike related images and pics, hook me up!
Ride On!
Ronjon
dattar@ohsu.edu
March 26th, 2007 18:12
Somewhere in a drawer in my house I have an old Swatch watch I bought in Belgium called "Road Rage" - it has these goofy cartoon drivers with their eyes bugging out and hands slamming the horns - if I can find it I will snap a photo and post it . . .
March 27th, 2007 11:11
"Become part of the solution, not the problem"