In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti and his Youth Council to End Gun Violence program have launched a provocative, taxpayer-funded advertising campaign to promote gun violence insurance that doesn’t actually exist.
On bus shelters and billboards, Angelenos are seeing headlines that say, “Living with Everyday Gunfire?” and “If There’s a Shooting, Are You Covered?”
Much like an insurance company might sell different products, the campaign addresses the different ways Americans experience gun violence with offers of mass shooting insurance, accidental shooting insurance and daily gunfire insurance.
City officials have said they’re hoping the ads are preposterous enough to make people stop and wonder if they’re real. The ads include a website, www.LouderThanGuns.org, where visitors are told the ad campaign is not real — just a “wake-up call.”
LA creative agency Omelet designed the “Louder Than Guns” campaign that also includes a youth-led call to action to coincide with National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7. Partners in the ad campaign include The Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Courage to Fight Gun Violence and March for Our Lives.
Scott Pelley of CBS in San Diego to Discuss His Book ‘Truth Worth Telling’
CBS News and “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley will be in town on Thursday, June 6, at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego.
Pelley is on tour promoting his new book “Truth Worth Telling, A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times.” Doors to the event open at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $27.19 for one general admission and one copy of the book, or $37.19 for two general admissions and one copy of the book. Event sponsors include Warwick’s book store in La Jolla and USD’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Pelley recently made headlines after telling CNN that he lost his job in 2017 as anchor of the CBS Evening News because he wouldn’t stop complaining to management about the news division’s hostile work environment for men and women. CBS This Morning co-anchor Charlie Rose was ousted in the wake of several women claiming he had made unwanted sexual advances. Others gone at CBS after similar accusations include “60 Minutes” producer Jeff Faber and CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves.
Former Taco Bell Exec Joins Chuze Fitness as CMO
San Diego-based Chuze Fitness, a fitness club chain in the western United States, has announced the hiring of Billy Grenham as chief marketing officer.
Grenham previously spent the past five years with Taco Bell Corp., most recently as global director of marketing and communications. Prior to Taco Bell, Grenham led brand management and digital marketing at IZZE Sparkling Juice, PepsiCo’s natural beverage division. He also worked at Old Spice, where he headed “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” campaign.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Billy to the Chuze Family,” said Cory Brightwell, CEO of Chuze Fitness. “Joining us from outside the fitness industry, he brings a fresh perspective to Chuze. His customer-centric mindset and innovative approach when it comes to building brand loyalty makes him a perfect fit for our company.”
“Chuze is about more than just reps and sets,” said Grenham, “it’s about people and culture. Growing up in a family of fitness entrepreneurs, my background will help reinforce Chuze’s commitment to fun fitness for all. My goal is to grow the brand with authenticity and intention, and continue to offer our signature customer experience and amazing amenities at an affordable price.”
Grenham grew up in Southern California and graduated from California State University Long Beach in 2005. His mother and father founded and have operated a youth-focused, community gym for the past 30 years. Chuze Fitness operates 30 outlets in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
Direct Marketers Learn About Instagram
SD Direct will host “Instagram for Business, Optimization Tips to Build Your Brand” from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, at UCSD Extension, Room 317, 6256 Greenwich Drive. The speaker will be Cara Polis, founder of Left Lane Digital, a San Diego boutique digital marketing agency. Topics will include the importance of hashtags, geotargeting and Instagram insights. Cost to attend is $20 for members, $40 for guests and $12 for students. To RSVP, visit www.sddirect.org/events.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
