Says Industry Isn't Looking For A "Bailout," Unlike Others...

Marion Blakey is no stranger to the power of a strong marketing campaign. One need only look to her tenure as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, where she spearheaded a rebranding of the agency under the FAA Branding Identity Program. As ANN reported, that program called for a standardized logo, so the FAA wouldn't be confused with other like-acroynmed federal bureaucracies.

Like FEMA.

Well, okay, so perhaps that's not the best example... but Blakey -- now president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, the major lobbying group for the nation's defense suppliers -- has implemented a similar ad campaign for her latest gig, to spur the incoming Obama administration to protect lucrative weapons contracts.

The Washington Post reports the new advertising campaign, titled "Aerospace and Defense: The Strength to Lift America," is backed by such industry heavyweights as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

The $1.5 million campaign will promote AIA businesses over the next two months through print ads in a number of Washington, DC publications -- including the Post and Congressional Quarterly -- to encourage the incoming president and Congress that as they look to "invest taxpayer dollars, they don't fail to appreciate that we're an economic engine.

"There are many industries turning to Washington with expectations," Blakey adds. "We want it understood that we're not asking for any bailout... We want to make sure they understand we are a strong industry that can propel the economy forward and not see us as a bill payer for some of these other costs that are going to be incurred.

"We're simply saying, 'Take care not to damage a critical engine for the economy.'"

That message carries added impetus for AIA, says defense analyst Loren Thompson... who notes the industry "fears there will be a decline in federal spending for military technology under President Obama, so it is sending a signal that any cuts will further harm an already weakened economy."

Thompson, who consults for a number of defense contractors at the Lexington Institute, adds "With the erosion of US manufacturing, aerospace exports -- including weapons -- have become one of the few bright spots in the US trade balance. Aerospace is also one of the few sectors left where industrial unions still have a strong presence."

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org