Comments on: Lutherans Go Primetime

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:33:38 +0000

I wonder if the ELCA invested in ads on places like Facebook…and set them up in open question form, would that elicit some space for open conversation with a broader audience?

By: Amy Thompson Sevimli

Amy Thompson Sevimli — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:03:33 +0000

Bob

Thanks for keeping up with the site! Good to hear from you!

RE: ads. Your questions regarding the target audience as well as the ensuing comments on the same issue would be interesting to pose to the ELCA communications team.

Finally, and most excitingly, DC is indeed full of young adults. I think it is one of the greatest parts of living here. We are getting started with Young Adult Ministry and are excited to see where it goes. Most of our work thus far has centered around connecting with young adults who are in DC but who are not part of a faith community. We look forward to continuing to connect with young adults, talk with them, learn from them, and share some of our own stories about the ways in which faith is making a difference in our own lives and in the lives of our communities.

By: Ron Amundson

Ron Amundson — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:53:31 +0000

The ads are focused within narrow markets, and are explcitly directed at church members, albeit there is some overlap. The ELCA website does a pretty good job of filling in the targeting thats going on, and the intended outcome of the ad run. The key for this to work, is local church followup, and I’m not so sure of how well that will play out. Thats the big question.

As far as marketing faith in general, thats a tough one. On the one hand, you have the conservative view of present the scriptures, and leave the rest up to God. On the other, its business concepts applied to the max. There is obviously a balance point somewhere between the two.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:17:20 +0000

Thanks for this Bob! Good thoughts and questions.

For me there’s also the question that any ad today faces given our technology – will it be seen? I personally have Tivo and skip any and all ads I can – so if I have fast-forwarded through one of these ads, I wouldn’t know it.

By: Bob Sitze

Bob Sitze — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:39:07 +0000

Amy:

Your comment speaks volumes. I am reminded of the “free radio ads” that used to air with churches and non-profits the major customers. On out of the way stations at really odd times of day. Yet the claim was made about “using the modern medium of radio” for good effect. My guess about TV ads is that they’re aimed at a demographic that is already churched. Hardly a good use the ether, hmm?

And how’s DC young adult ministry going? I was in town last week and noticed the googobs of young adults — with their required happy dogs — around the East Market area. Seeing that made me happy that you and Bishop Richard chose to concentrate on this focus of ministry. Smart thinking! I hope you’re doing well. Even though you don’t watch ad-infested TV channels . . . .

Bob

By: Amy Santoriello

Amy Santoriello — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:07:24 +0000

I think the ads a great ads in themselves, However I have yet to see one on TV. The ones that are running nationally are not on channels that i nor my friends watch.