PHOENIX (By Anne Ryman, Arizona Republic)
July 4, 2005 - "Are Arizona Children Getting Punk'd?"
That's the catchy message that has popped up on signs around Phoenix and Tucson.
"We wanted to create buzz," said Nadine Mathis Basha, a longtime education advocate who is spearheading the grass-roots effort among those concerned about early-childhood development.
The slogan is a takeoff on Ashton Kutcher's popular Punk'd series on MTV. The 500 signs are designed to drive people to a Web site, azpunkd.com, where they can get information on the need to invest in early-childhood development programs.
Hamilton, Gullett, Davis & Roman, a public affairs and strategic planning company, came up with the concept. The black-and-white signs dot vacant lots and hang on fences.
"We think it's a fairly creative way of calling attention to this and educating people," said Steve Roman, a partner with the company.
That's the catchy message that has popped up on signs around Phoenix and Tucson.
"We wanted to create buzz," said Nadine Mathis Basha, a longtime education advocate who is spearheading the grass-roots effort among those concerned about early-childhood development.
The slogan is a takeoff on Ashton Kutcher's popular Punk'd series on MTV. The 500 signs are designed to drive people to a Web site, azpunkd.com, where they can get information on the need to invest in early-childhood development programs.
Hamilton, Gullett, Davis & Roman, a public affairs and strategic planning company, came up with the concept. The black-and-white signs dot vacant lots and hang on fences.
"We think it's a fairly creative way of calling attention to this and educating people," said Steve Roman, a partner with the company.
