Ourview September 15

DKS Editors

Repeatedly, you’ve heard us address the issue of revamping Kent State’s image. We’ve said over and over again the different ways the university is moving up, how it’s making a name for itself and blah blah blah.

Well now, a new topic has been dropped in our laps and it’s something you should definitely take an interest in. The university announced its million-dollar ad campaign today to bring in more students and refurbish the Kent State reputation.

About one third of the funds was spent on producing three advertisements and the majority of what remains will be used secure air times. And where did that money come from? Directly from your wallets.

Before you freak out though, we here at the Daily Kent Stater think these ads might not be such a bad thing. It’s still too early to tell, but we’re willing to give the campaign a chance, and here’s why you should too.

The ads, described as “high quality” by those who have seen them, feature four Kent State grads sharing their success stories. Among them is Devo lead singer and co-founder of the campaign Mark Mothersbaugh. Now Devo may not be the key to university success, but the point is the commercials have merit. They feature solid names who people will take seriously.

High quality ads featuring legitimate talent could permanently erase the ‘Kent read, Kent write, Kent State’ stigma. The more the university is taken seriously, the more value your degree has after graduation.

Once on air, ads are expected to reach 60 percent of Kent State’s target audience (students and parents in the Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown and Pittsburgh areas) an average of six times. The ads are going to be on people’s minds. It’s going to sink in that the place we happily call home is worthwhile, and others will choose to adopt it as well.

More butts in classrooms means more money. Not only in tuition, but potential federal funding. A better image means a better degree. It’s time Kent State started wowing people. Maybe the ads won’t be all we expect, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hope for the best. For now, it was money well spent.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board. Ben Wolford did not participate in the writing of this editorial because of previous reporting on the university’s ad campaign.