The Census Comes to Chicago
Today on my lunch break, I walked through Daley Plaza only to discover that a giant air-Census Form was on display in the plaza. I immediately took out my camera and started taking pictures/had my coworker take a picture of me next to it.
I will note that it surprisingly looked like the census form appearing on an iPad.
I thought it would be funny to get a picture of me filling out Eric’s form:
All and all I think it is an effective method for the US Census to get their advertising message out. It definitely generates awareness and publicity, although I don’t know how they can measure the ad’s influence (no one checks “I saw the balloon ad in Daley Plaza” on their Census form). It also doesn’t get the message across that YOU, the average citizen, could save the government money by simply turning your census form in and preventing extra money being spent by sending out an employee to your house. But if you think about how much money this advertising tool cost (my guess is less than $1000), the potential ROI is far greater than the investment. Especially when placed in such a public plaza. Well done, US Census Bureau. Well done.
