Evaluation of the "Lose Your Excuse" public service advertising campaign for tweens to save energy

Eval Rev. 2011 Oct;35(5):455-89. doi: 10.1177/0193841X11428489. Epub 2011 Dec 12.

Abstract

This study evaluates the 2008-2009 "Lose your Excuse" public service advertising (PSA) campaign on energy efficiency targeting 8- to 12-year-olds, intended to increase knowledge, foster proactive attitudes, and change energy usage behaviors. Baseline and two follow-up surveys were conducted with online samples representative of the national population of households with kids with online access. Almost half (47%) of the tweens recognized at least one ad from the campaign. Ad recognition was positively associated with knowledge, proactive attitudes, and energy-saving behavior. Propensity score analysis confirmed a small but measurable and statistically significant effect on energy-saving behavior. The discussion section compares these results to public health campaigns in terms of ghost awareness, reach, and effect size.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Advertising
  • Child
  • Conservation of Energy Resources*
  • Electricity*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Media*
  • Social Marketing
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States