A history of Public Service Announcements.

1. Public Service
Announcements

2. A public service announcement (PSA) is a form of
advertisement meant to raise public awareness about an
issue or non-profit organization.
PSAs can be found on radio or television, printed in
magazines, online, on billboards – anywhere you find media.
What is a PSA?

3. "Any announcement (including network) for which no charge is
made and which promotes programs, activities, or services of
federal, state, or local governments (e.g., recruiting, sale of bonds,
etc.) or the programs, activities or services of non-profit
organizations (e.g., United Way, Red Cross blood donations, etc.)
and other announcements regarded as serving community
interests, excluding time signals, routine weather announcements
and promotional announcements."
As Defined by the FCC

4. A Short History of
PSA’s

5. The Beginning of PSA’s
Developed in the United States during World War II.
Radio broadcasters and advertising agencies established
the War Advertising Council to produce propaganda for the
US Government.
Print and radio PSAs were created (for free) to help convince
the general public to support the war.

6. Rosie the Riveter
One of the first (and most widely
known) PSA campaigns created by
the War Advertising Council.
Encouraged American women to join
the workforce.

7. The Ad Council
At the end of the war, the War
Advertising Council was renamed the
Advertising Council, which became a
clearinghouse for national PSAs.

8. Smokey the Bear
Click the image to play the video

9. The Fairness Doctrine
Created in 1949 – required broadcast stations to devote time to
airing opposing viewpoints of controversial subjects.
In 1967, required stations to air one anti-smoking PSA for every
three tobacco commercials.
Smoking rates began to decline for the first time in history, and
eventually Congress banned cigarette ads in 1971.
Revoked in 2011.

10. Partnership for A
Drug-Free
America
Created by a partnership of
media and advertising agency
executives.
Largest PSA campaign up until
that time - more than S365
million a year worth of print and
airtime.
Was proven that the campaign
had a significant impact on drug
abuse in America.
Click the image to play the video

11. The Goal of a PSA
The goal of a PSA is to get someone to
ACT, or change their BEHAVIOR.

12. Target Audience
Message
Organization
Tagline
Components of a PSA

13. Target Audience
It is important to think about the intended audience of your
PSA.
What elements you include, as well as how you present the
information, will vary based on your target audience.
You establish a target audience by identifying which
demographics you want to reach.

14. Demographics
Age
Gender
Race
Socioeconomic Class
Education
Sexuality
Geographic Location
Interests (sports,
entertainment, etc.)
Religion
Politics

15. Message
What is it About?
Without a clear message,
the PSA is not useful to the
viewer.
Examples
Don’t drink and drive.
Drugs are unhealthy and
destructive.
Failing to put out a campfire
can cause a forest fire.

16. Organization
At the end of a PSA, it’s important to put contact information
for a local or national organization.
This allows the viewer an opportunity to contact someone
for more information or help.

17. Tagline
A tagline is a catchy one-sentence slogan that is stated toward the end
of the PSA.
● It should be easy to remember
● Keep it short and simple!
“Only YOU can prevent forest fires!”
“Got Milk?”
“This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”

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