Photo Information

Members of the Marine Corps' Silent Drill Platoon perform in downtown Columbia, TN as part of the America's Marines campaign. The program, initiated last September, is intended to strengthen America?s understanding of the Marine Corps and consists of the new television commercial, a nation-wide tour during the filming for the commercial, video documentary, and the interactive web site, where people can upload videos, photos and stories about the Marine Corps at www.Our.Marines.com

Photo by SSgt. Brian J. Griffin

Marines launch latest commercial on primetime T.V.

3 Feb 2008 | Staff Sgt. Brian J. Griffin Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Don’t flip the channel during commercial breaks of your favorite television show re-runs, because you might miss your chance to catch a glimpse of the latest Marine Corps commercial.

 The spot, entitled “America’s Marines,” features the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon at iconic landmarks across the United States and has been viewed on-line more than half a million times since January 16th, when the 90-second extended version commercial launched on Our.Marines.com.

 That same night, a 60-second version debuted during the season premiere of “American Idol,” which was the highest-rated non-sports show of 2008, with one in four households with televisions watching the show, according to MindShare World.

 “There was a spike lasting about five minutes on Marines.com and Our.Marines.com after the East Coast airing of the commercial,” said Todd Copilevitz, director of digital strategy, RMG Connect, a sub-contractor for J.W.T. Atlanta.

 The commercial shows what seems to be an endless line of Marines stretching from coast to coast and is part of a larger overall community relations campaign.

 The campaign, initiated last September, is intended to strengthen America’s understanding of the Marine Corps and consists of the new television commercial, a nation-wide tour during the filming for the commercial, video documentary, and the interactive web site, where people can upload videos, photos and stories about the Marine Corps.

 “The America’s Marines campaign is designed to deepen the connection between the Marine Corps and the American people,” said Capt. Salvatore Nigro, action officer, America’s Marines campaign.

 The Marines traveled throughout the country during the tour. These visits also provided local communities an opportunity to see the discipline and teamwork that defines the Corps’ ethos, Nigro said.

 “There have been hundreds of people who have come out to the sites we have filmed at, showing their support and sharing their stories on the Marine Corps,” he said. “And that’s what we wanted; we wanted people to come to these locations and talk with us, shake our hands, and meet the Marines who have made a conscious decision to serve their country.”

 Art Karin was one of more than 30 people who came to the 2 a.m. filming at Times Square in New York. The 68-year-old former lance corporal traveled more than an hour from Keyport, N.J., to attend the production shoot. Karin said he enjoyed being around the Marines and feeling the camaraderie in the group. His attendance was especially poignant, as the former Marine lost his vision more than 15 years ago.

 “I don’t see much, but there’s something about being around Marines that just puts me at ease,” he said. “I can’t see these guys, but if I can stand here and just listen, I can see more than most of these other people ever will.”

 The America’s Marines campaign is new by design, according to Marine Corps officials who developed the campaign concept with their long-standing advertising partner, J.W.T. Atlanta.

 “This campaign has been more than a year in the making and is slightly different than Marine Corps commercials of the past,” said Carl Warner, executive creative director, co-president, J.W.T. Atlanta. “Those were strictly commercials; this is a true campaign. It’s really about the interaction, the filming and the web site.”

 To upload your story or learn more about America’s Marines, visithttp://Our.Marines.com.


Marine Corps Recruiting Command