Sirens in commercials?

[FMDawg]

I have a client that wants sirens in his commercial--he's a Bail Bondsman.

I try to keep them out of commercials for obvious reasons but I seem to recall there being some legal/govt law about keeping them out too.

Is there such a thing or is that just another radio myth?

 

[tazman]

> I have a client that wants sirens in his commercial--he's a
> Bail Bondsman.
>
> I try to keep them out of commercials for obvious reasons
> but I seem to recall there being some legal/govt law about
> keeping them out too.
>
> Is there such a thing or is that just another radio myth?
>
I've never heard of any law..FFC or otherwise against it.
But as responsible broadcasters..I always err on the side of safety and good sense. Depending on the support from your GM and GSM..I would make it a station or station group rule that sirens or any emergency sound CANNOT be used in a commercial.

 

[MarkAndrews]

> > I have a client that wants sirens in his commercial--he's
> a
> > Bail Bondsman.
> >
> > I try to keep them out of commercials for obvious reasons
> > but I seem to recall there being some legal/govt law about
>
> > keeping them out too.
> >
> > Is there such a thing or is that just another radio myth?
> >
> I've never heard of any law..FFC or otherwise against it.
> But as responsible broadcasters..I always err on the side of
> safety and good sense. Depending on the support from your GM
> and GSM..I would make it a station or station group rule
> that sirens or any emergency sound CANNOT be used in a
> commercial.
>

I think it was a guideline included in the old NAB Code of Good Practice from the 60s...long since done away with by a court ruling in the 70s...I think (!)

That WAS a long time ago!

These days I have heard a siren as an effect in an ad, but very seldom. When it does run, I have a reflex reaction to turn the radio down! Dear sponsor, I've *missed* your message!!

 

[FMDawg]

It makes sense now....

> I think it was a guideline included in the old NAB Code of
> Good Practice from the 60s...long since done away with by a
> court ruling in the 70s...I think (!)
>
> That WAS a long time ago!


My mentor started working in radio during that time and so he passed the "law" on to me.

 

[cmatthews]

Re: It makes sense now....

> > I think it was a guideline included in the old NAB Code of
>
> > Good Practice from the 60s...long since done away with by
> a
> > court ruling in the 70s...I think (!)
> >
> > That WAS a long time ago!
>
>
> My mentor started working in radio during that time and so
> he passed the "law" on to me.
>


I remember about 6-7 years ago in Cleveland a well known auto dealer had a spot produced, at an Akron station, that had sirens throughout the entire spot. I flagged it and told the PD, who then alerted the Sales Mgr that it couldn't air. Client spent $250k annually - with our station alone! So the spot aired in AM drive the next day. Complaints roared in from listeners. The AM show ripped the client, etc, and the spot was pulled before 10am. Did the client do it purposely knowing the reaction the spot would receive? Maybe...maybe not. Strangely a revised spot was ready a day later, that even included an apology for the initial spot. This auto dealer is pretty savvy and a millionaire.


I've since used sirens in spots. The FX is established, then quickly faded.
<P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]

http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>

 

[phatmatt]

Re: It makes sense now....

> > I think it was a guideline included in the old NAB Code of
>
> > Good Practice from the 60s...long since done away with by
> a
> > court ruling in the 70s...I think (!)
> >
> > That WAS a long time ago!
>
>
> My mentor started working in radio during that time and so
> he passed the "law" on to me.
>

A quick siren that fades in and out never hurt anyone... just do it. Maybe EQ the siren a tad to make it sound a little more "fake"?

phat matt
Imaging Director
99.5 The Wolf
Dallas, Texas

 

[Banjomax]

> I have a client that wants sirens in his commercial--he's a
> Bail Bondsman.
>
> I try to keep them out of commercials for obvious reasons
> but I seem to recall there being some legal/govt law about
> keeping them out too.
>
> Is there such a thing or is that just another radio myth?
>
Stations in my area have been airing a series of spots over the past few months with what I call the "grab-your-ankles-and-hope-for-the-best" siren. This is the siren that goes off if there is a problem at the local nuke plant (or conceivably any other civil emergency that requires immediate public response). The siren sounds in the spot for about one second and quickly fades out, which is very different than how these sirens behave in the real world (they take what seems forever to wind down once they get going). Basic message: 1. When you hear this siren (add siren sfx), 2. tune to this (EAS) radio station for instructions. One-two, know what to do. The spots are extremely annoying, but also very effective.

http://www.knowwhattodo.info/<P ID="signature">______________
It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.
-- Samuel Langhorne Clemens
</P>

 

[FMDawg]

I like it!!

> > > Maybe EQ the siren a tad to make it sound a
> little more "fake"?
>
> phat matt
> Imaging Director
> 99.5 The Wolf
> Dallas, Texas
>

Thanks for that idea!