MILITARY - Army Experience Center

The Experience Center has been around for a while but this is a great video that covers what it offers. Thought I would share it:

US Military Meets Recruiting Goals

The Defense Department has met 103% of the recruitment goal for the year and the National Guard has met 104% of their recruitment goal. Due to the response, the $5 billion budget will be cut 11% for next year.

See more information at the links below:

http://www.impactlab.com/2009/10/14/military-meets-recruiting-goal-first-time-in-35-years/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/13/AR2009101303539.html?wpisrc=newsletter

via: makethelogobigger.blogspot.com

ALTERNATIVE RECRUITMENT - Army offers Texas recruits chance to win Wii

In order to gauge the response generated by their billboards, the US Army incorporated texting and a contest on their billboards. It seems that this tactic with the billboards did not receive adequate response and was discontinued in May. What are your thoughts on using a "hook" like the chance to win a Wii for military recruitment?
Read more at:
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_army_wii_040908/

NONTRADITIONAL - Gaming works magic for u.s. army

Brandflakes for Breakfast and Game Politics posted articles about the Army's use of their video game, America's Army, and how is has been used as a recruitment tool and how effective it has been in relation to other areas of advertising. Game Politics also makes a note at the impact the video game has had on recruits as far as how they react in battle and their how they receive and understand what is happening in battle as well.

Below are the links for the articles as well as the gaming site. Check them out and tell us what you think!

http://www.brandflakesforbreakfast.com/2009/11/gaming-works-magic-for-us-army.html

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/11/17/america%E2%80%99s-army-extremely-effective-recruitment-tool

http://www.americasarmy.com/

LAW - The new FMLA: Top 10 changes you must comply with

The HR Specialist makes another great post detailing the changes made to the FMLA since being enacted 15 years ago. These changes take effect January 16, 2009.

http://www.thehrspecialist.com/hrs_articles/homepage_featured/25016/The_new_FMLA__Top_10_changes_you_must_comply_with.hr

Topics cover military caregivers, notice obligations and rights, health conditions, attendance and several more topics.

Additional information available at: www.wagehour.dol.gov

GOVERNMENT - Candidates in Reserve

ERE reports on a program where 48 companies have signed an agreement with the US Army Reserve that guarantees interested reservists an interview to those beginning or ending their duty or who may be looking for a career change. Even training is being developed to better suit the active employers. This is an excellent source of new potential talent. What kinds of relations does your company have with the government armed forces?

via ERE.net: http://www.ere.net/2008/11/12/candidates-in-reserve/

GOVERNMENT - Now You Will Be Able to Buy Official U.S. Army Clothing at Sears

Sears, Roebuck & Co. teamed up with the US Army and will begin distributing All American Army Brand's First Infantry Division line of clothing. Licensing fees will go to support military troops and families.

This is a great move for recruiting because this widens the appeal of the military and begins to assist with top of mind awareness. It also widens the spread of interaction with the logos, looks, and overall branding capacity provided from the actions of the US Army. They are able to receive recognition with the act of releasing the clothing line as well as the residual impact of people wearing their line.

This is not the only action that has been taken to display the Army around the malls. As reported earlier, the Army Experience Center has been rolled out as well. Finding alternative ways to get your brand out there and in the hands of potential candidates, whether direct recruitment or not, is half the battle.

via: http://adage.com/article?article_id=130696

GOVERNMENT - Army Deploys 'Experience Center'

The US Army has rolled out with their 'Experience Center' in a Philadelphia mall on Aug. 29th. Attendees to the site have the chance to visit with staff who provide personal stories of their time served, Humvee and helicopter simulations, gaming areas and a cafe. Rather than branding this as a recruitment site, it is more of an information site. This allows for the potential to hit those in the early stages of information gathering and delivering strong detailed messages to those interested and potential candidates.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/client/e3i4091ce08679099b9660c156258d54d1f

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-08-30-army-experience-center_N.htm

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/us-army-opens-army-experience-center-in-philadelphia,521581.shtml

Related links:

http://patriotadvertising.blogspot.com/2008/06/government-army-imitates-apple-to-draw.html

PRINT- Let your print ads interact with their surroundings

Contemplate creating memorable ads that will stand out in your candidate's mind by utilizing and ad's environment in innovative ways. Here is an example from the UK Army that uses the fold in the middle of a two page spread. It is certainly different enough to cause candidates to pause and receive the message and stands out enough they might mention it to someone, hopefully bolstering word of mouth and general top-of-mind awareness.

GOVERNMENT - Army Imitates Apple To Draw New Recruits

The Army is switching over to a new tactic of reaching their target. They are opening a test site that is designed to be much more interactive than a traditional recruitment office. This includes simulators, large wrap-around video screens and the potential candidates have the availability to play America's Army, an online game released in 2002 that now spans across computers, consoles and cell phones.

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/technology-finance/e3i5597024fecf11e33a55a40695b480511