New IBEW Ad Focuses on Union Skills, Community

September 17, 2013

We know the professionalism and skill that members of the IBEW bring to the job every day.

Now hundreds of millions of TV viewers know as well.

Coming on the heels of last year’s national ad campaign, a new IBEW spot – titled “Power Professionals” – went on the air this month.

Featuring St. Louis Local 1 wireman Matt Chrestman and his family, the ad will run throughout the end of the NFL football season on CBS Sport and Fox Sports.

“I’m proud of who I am and what I do every day,” said Chrestman. “I wanted people to see that I’m a member of a hard-working organization that gives back to the community.”

Last year’s message was designed to introduce the public to the IBEW and let them know about the wide variety of highly-skilled jobs members perform. It was seen by more than 300 million television viewers over the course of the 2012 season.

This year’s spot – produced in-house by the IBEW Media Department – focuses on the IBEW’s strong emphasis on training and community outreach, breaking through negative stereotypes about unions.

“In real life, IBEW electricians are the people who live in your neighborhood,” said Len Turner, senior producer in the IBEW Media Department and a member of Washington, D.C., Local 1200. “We wanted to portray our members in the most authentic way possible – highly skilled at their jobs, but also the friends and neighbors you know and trust.”

Other members of Local 1 and Baltimore Local 24 are also featured in the ad.

“Growing the IBEW means getting the good word out about what we as members do,” said International President Edwin D. Hill. “Being able to shape public opinion about the IBEW and unions in general is a vital first step to rebuilding the labor movement and middle class.”

You can catch the ad on any given Sunday or on the IBEW’s YouTube channel a thttp://www.youtube.com/user/TheElectricalWorker.