UDSD Advertising Initiative Still In Discussion

The Upper Dublin School District's advertising initiative took another step towards fruition on Monday night, as revisions to the original advertising proposal were presented to the board for consideration.

Among the revisions was an increase in the cost of advertising space.

"We had some feedback about the prices, and it was ," said Pam Ryan, Director of Grant and Fund Development. "There was a general consensus to increase the prices, which I did."

In order to determine the proper price point, Ryan said she looked at Upper Dublin Township's plans to hang advertisements along the chain-link fence at Spark Field. The township plans to charge $800 per sign, and while the field offers a higher level of visibility, it can also serve as a basis for the school district's advertising rates.

Currently, a three-foot by five-foot sign along the Cardinal Stadium fence would cost $750 per year, with a three-year minimum commitment, and a stadium broadcast booth sponsorship would cost $4,000 per year, with a three-year commitment.  Additional advertising locations include the auxiliary gym and wrestling room, banner signs in the main gym and scoreboard sponsorships.

Ryan said she initially considered having the school district incur the costs associated with the creation of the signs, but later decided to have the advertisers foot the bill, which could cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per sign.

"They will own their sign, so when they're finished they can have their sign back," said Ryan.

One of the initial causes for concern focused on larger companies taking advantage of the low-cost advertising space, but Ryan assured the board that the initiative is focusing on local businesses and vendors.

"My intent is to only send this brochure locally and to our vendors," said Ryan. "[The brochure] will not be going out to Coke or Pepsi.  This is a locally concentrated effort."

In the event that the school district were to increase the scope of the advertising initiative to include large companies, Ryan said she would consider an increase in the cost of advertising.

Other revisions to the original proposal will allow the signs to feature phone numbers and web addresses, and contracted advertisers may also be featured on the school district's website via business card-sized banner ads.

The school board will continue to discuss the matter, though they did vote to approve the wording of the advertising contract, should the initiative be approved at a later date.