Grassroots Ad Campaign Launched For The Discovery Channel

10/07/03 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

October 6, 2003 - A grassroots campaign started last week to put a series of commericals on the Discovery channel starting in November. Discovery will air a program called “Rocket Challenge”. They spent over $1 million producing the special on rocketry and LDRS held this summer. Frank Uroda from Public Missiles is promoting the idea of airing three 15 second commercials during each airing of the program. The program will air six times. It is estimated that the program will reach six million homes.

According to Mr. Uroda, “In a nut shell, the 3 hour show "Rocket Challenge” will air twice on Nov. 3, three times on Nov. 10, and once on Nov. 17. We cannot pick and choose which shows or hours to run our ad. We must buy one 15 second spot in each hour of the show and for every time the show is run. The full package for 18 insertions was originally $93,000 but after some major negotiation between me and the accounts manager, I got the rock bottom price of $68,000 (to be paid in advance).“

The advertisements will direct interested viewers to a web site tentatively called, "FlyRockets.com.” Pat Gordzelik, a newly elected TRA board member and a group of individuals have joined Mr. Uroda in trying to pull off this grassroots effort. Mr. Gordzelik was able to pursuade the NAR and TRA boards to support the effort after extensive discussions. “I was able to get the support of the Tripoli BoD and finally NAR to support this. My analogy of a infomercial that "never asked for the order” would not get the phones to ring, finally swung em over.“, stated Mr. Gordzelik.

He further stated that "We have developed a plan for the ad using an astronaut to endorse rocketry as a whole. It will be 18 fifteen second ads at a cost of 68k. We are also working on attaining outside corporate sponsorship. Frank is developing a raffle website to garner funds from interested individuals. The whole plan will be formally introduced probably this weekend as time is short.”

Frank Uroda stated, “Yes it is a big risk and a lot of money. But wars are not won by small, incremental moves. It is the bold strokes that win the wars. We are in a war now, actually a battle of attrition. ItÂ’s a battle we are sure to lose. The regulators have nothing but time and money on their side. We have neither. We have but one choice, grow or die. There is still time to do this but now it must be done by the organizations since all of us manufacturers are on the verge of bankruptcy.”

A web site has been set up to take donations for the ad campaign. Vendors can also donate prizes for the Mega raffle to be held to support the campaign. The web site address is : http://www.saverocketrynow.org

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