[Publib] Brilliant Database Marketing Campaign

[Diedre Conkling]

Ok, I can't let this rest because I believe that we are missing a number of aspects in our discussion of this campaign.  Maybe I can address a few of them in this post.

There really are a number of us trying to teach the young men (teenagers) in our lives not to objectify women.  Of course, we started doing this from birth but it does become more of an issue during the teen years.  We want them to fully recognize that women and men are equals.  We want them to get to really know the girls in their lives and not just like them because of the way they look.  There is nothing wrong with appreciating beauty but that includes beauty at all levels.  We are trying to do this in a world filled with superficial and narrow views of beauty.  Sometimes we actually see glimmers of success and then we see "mud flap girls" coming into our profession.

Another issue is that this campaign is aimed at a very narrow group of people.  In fact, it is aimed at a very narrow group of truckers.  Remember, there are many truck driving teams (husbands and wives) and many women driving trucks.  Yes, women driving trucks is not as large a group as men.  But does this mean we ignore that they are a growing part of this industry.  They are facing many of the kinds of stereotyping and prejudices that women have faced in many other male dominated industries.  Actually, stereotypes and prejudices that women have faced in female dominated professions as well, like libraries.

To face and recognize some of the stereotyping we all do it may help to learn more about the trucking industry.  Here are some places to begin:
Alligator on the Zipper:  http://www.alligatoronthezipper.com/ - a dvd about 7 women truckers
Women in Trucking:  Redefining the Road:  http://womenintrucking.org/
Layover.com:  http://womenintrucking.org/
Knight of the Road:  https://www.storesonline.com/site/870139/page/45030
OTR Protrucker.com:  http://www.otrprotrucker.com/OTR/index.cfm
Women's Trucking Association: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WOMENSTRUCKINGASSOCIATION/ (a members only site)
Couples Aged 50-Plus Turn to Trucking as a Second Career: http://content.monster.com/articles/3470/19173/1/home.aspx
Trucking jobs for couples: http://www.expeditesolutions.com/trucking-jobs-for-couples.htm
Trucking takes a different route:  http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042307/bus_9311916.shtml

And this is just the beginning of a look into the trucking industry.  This quick look really makes me wonder whether this marketing campaign is even going in a direction that will attract the audience it was intended to attract.

And these are just a couple of the issues we have not been discussing.

--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net