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2010 Census – Luda On The Block Tour
Project Manager: Elkin Hoyos
The 2010 Census forms are out, and ThinkTank has been tapped to help support Ludacris’ involvement in the “mail it back” awareness campaign. Our focus is on regional and national press for Ludacris’ “Luda on the Block” tour across the US, with stops in top AA markets: DC, Atlanta, New York, New Orleans and Dallas… read more
Can the 2010 Census change the perception of African Americans (AA) who traditionally distrust Uncle Sam? A $300 million effort, the largest advertising campaign in U.S. government history, plans to do just that by enlisting the help of Grammy award winning recording artist, actor and entrepreneur, Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges who will explain the importance of taking 10 minutes to fill out 10 questions on the Census to young AAs to ensure that their communities receive part of a $400B allotment every year, of federal support. These dollars help maintain bridges, tunnels and public works, emergency services, schools, and job training using Census numbers that stand for 10 years!
Combining star power and credibility, Ludacris will use his voice to reinforce the importance of ‘being counted’ to his fans. “I look at our communities now and I see many empty lots, closed clinics, dilapidated schools and an overall breakdown of social services for the poor and elderly,” says Ludacris. “Today is a day for change. I plan to knock on doors in various neighborhoods around this country to try and dispel any myths about the Census. It’s important that we all stand up and be counted so we can help create potential financial opportunities for our dying communities.”
DraftFCB, NY, the lead agency for the 2010 Census Communications Campaign, has enlisted Globalhue advertising agency (GH), along with production and digital marketer RC-CP, and Disturbing the Peace Records (DTP), to effectively reach the vast nationalities representing the black Diaspora; including the AA, African, Caribbean and Haitian audiences.
To create awareness and motivate this elusive, hard to count demographic who are young, single males (AA males tend to be the most undercounted in the AA community), indifferent females (single with children), the poor and underprivileged, people with criminal issues, and immigrants, this “Viral/Ludacris Webisode” campaign will run from March through April. The outreach includes radio broadcast media, a tour, and a national viral webisode campaign featuring Ludacris.
The 2010 Census ‘Luda on the Block’ radio and home visit tour is targeting 5 nationwide AA destinations (Dallas 3/19, New Orleans 3/23, NYC 4/5, Washington DC 4/6 and Atlanta 4/9). It gives Ludacris fans an opportunity to log on to participating radio station websites and write how their neighborhoods could benefit from 2010 Census funding. Some fans will be given a chance to meet and discuss the 2010 Census with him in person.
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Ludacris Hits the Block in Dallas to Support 2010 Census
2010-04-05 11:25am
Is that Ludacris knocking on your door?
Don’t miss Ludacris on the first stop of his Luda On The Block 2010 Census Tour in the first video of a 5 webisode series that shadows Ludacris as he crosses the country using his powers of persuasion and everything else short of arm twisting, to encourage cynics, skeptics, fans and believers of change, to those fearful of identity theft, to fill out their census form and mail it in.
The Luda On The Block tour stops in Dallas, New Orleans, New York City, Washington DC, and Atlanta. Ludacris stays true to his mission, even though skepticism is high among people in the black community about sharing information with the government. He walks a tight rope on several radio stations by cajoling, punking, educating, and shocking listeners. He literally knocks on doors to get the word out about how important completing the Census is to the black community. The folks he meets are ordinary people who often don’t know all the benefits of the 2010 Census. The tour is an ambitious undertaking that Ludacris felt strongly enough about to take time out from his music tour.
“I’m serious about the black community being counted this time around. Otherwise we will have to wait another 10 years and that is unacceptable. Aren’t we tired of complaining? Here’s an opportunity to make a change that will last for 10 years. You’re going to see me stop people on the street. I’m knocking on doors. I’m telling people living in African American communities that they have nothing to fear about the census. The information they provide is protected by law and will not be shared with the INS or any other Agency that could cause them harm,” says Luda. “The reality is that if they fill in the form and mail it back, it will help revive their community by improving schools, increasing jobs and job training, health clinics, emergency medical service, fire stations, elder care and more,” he adds.
“When I saw Ludacris come walking up to me on the street,” said one guy who’d had a close encounter in Dallas, “it made me think I was being Punk’d. I was like WTH. I’m going home to dig that form out of the junk mail pile and ask moms to fill it out and send it in. Hell, I’ll do it for her!”
Stay tuned for the 4 additional webisodes coming soon. Get an up close, personal view of what some naysayers and other resisters really think about the Census. Learn how you can motivate the people around you to fill out their forms and mail them in today.
VIDEO: Luda on the Block – DALLAS
For more information on the US 2010 Census visit: Click here
To know when Ludacris will be on your block, follow him on Twitter: Click here
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