Energy Hogs Part of New National Ad Campaign that Focuses on Youths
By Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio -- Mar. 30
The same folks who made Smokey the Bear the national spokesman for forest fire prevention have a new character they're hoping will catch on.
These not-so-cuddly hog characters, with such names as Boss Hogg, Sammy Swine
and Mork Pork, are designed to look half-human, half-hog and can suck out energy
from your home.
The new national ad campaign is sponsored by the Advertising Council, the
Ohio Department of Development and other local and national partners. The
campaign is designed to get children -- and therefore their parents -- educated
on things they can do around the house to save energy.
The Ad Council is a nonprofit organization that has produced thousands of
public-service announcements, including the Smokey the Bear campaign, which
started in 1944 and continues today as the longest-running ad campaign in the
council's history.
The Energy Hogs are the spokesvillains of the newest campaign. An interactive
Web site, www.energyhog.org, has games and information for kids to play.
Mike Hogan, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development, said the Energy
Hogs are the first part of a series of public service announcements in the
advertising campaign. The second part will focus on ways adults can conserve
energy.
But for now, the focus is on kids.
"There are some things that children do that really waste a lot of
energy," he said. For instance, when you're getting something out of the
refrigerator, don't leave the fridge door hanging open too long, Hogan said.
Hogan said a member of the Ohio Department of Development staff will also be
teaching children through school programs.
Teaching energy-efficiency tips to children and adults is important:
According to the U.S. National Energy Policy, U.S. natural gas consumption will
rise by more than 50 percent in the next 20 years and our country's demand for
electricity will increase by 45 percent.
Ryan Lippe, spokesman for the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, said the more educated
people are about saving energy, the better off everyone will be.
"The more information we get to kids and parents, the better off
families will be and the lower their energy bills will be," he said.
"It's never too early for people to learn how to be energy efficient and to
use energy wisely."
The state agency provides educational material for consumers on utility
issues and is also the legal representative for residential users of
investor-owned utilities. Information can be found either at the agency's Web
site, www.pickocc.org, or requested via phone at 877-742-5622.
Lippe offered the following tips for kids: When you leave a room, turn off
the lights.
Look for energy-efficient electronic equipment.
"Don't let the water run while you're washing your face. Brush your
teeth first while you wait for the water to get hot, then wash your face,"
he said, because energy is used to heat the water.
The new ads will appear in print and on television in space donated by the
media.
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