Author Archives: Drew Blevins

About Drew Blevins

I am the Director of Marketing and Customer Information for TriMet. I direct TriMet’s marketing functions through an integrated approach to retaining and increasing customers by positioning our transit system as simple to understand, easy to use, reliable, innovative, and friendly. Our marketing department is responsible for advertising, promotion and outreach, consumer research, creative services, Web-content management and interactive media, and on-street customer information.

UPDATE: Controversial ads on the sides of buses and trains

Posted by in Hot Topics, Rider News on .

Drew Blevins is TriMet’s Director of Marketing and Customer Information.

Recently I shared some information about the ad featuring the headline “Palestinian Loss of Land” that is currently posted on some TriMet vehicles. What appears to be a response ad—with the headline “In any War Between the Civilized Man and the Savage, Support the Civilized Man”—will start showing up on some TriMet vehicles this week.

The controversial ads.

These are the controversial ads you may see on the sides of TriMet buses and trains.

In the past, TriMet’s advertising policy has only allowed ads that were commercial in nature, defined by the promotion of goods or services. Non-commercial ads were not allowed, as we didn’t want to open our doors to all advertisements. A 2008 Multnomah County Circuit Court ruling concluded that our advertising policy could not limit the categories of advertising accepted. The Oregon Supreme Court is now reviewing that decision. TriMet has asked the Court to treat us like any other entrepreneurial advertising media and to allow us to make reasonable determinations as to the categories of advertising we will accept. While awaiting the Court’s decision, TriMet is in the unfortunate position of having to accept all advertising.

We acknowledge that ads like these, indeed, make things challenging for everyone. We began to permit advertising on TriMet buses and trains to create a source of revenue for the good of TriMet and our customers. While TriMet supports our constitutions and the free speech they ensure, we recognize that our purpose is to unite our communities through transit. We are disappointed that the sides of our buses and trains have become a medium for divisive discussions, and we apologize to you. We hope that when the Oregon Supreme Court decides the case that we will once again be allowed to limit advertising to commercial goods and services.

Ask TriMet: What’s with the “Palestinian Loss of Land” ad on some of the buses and trains?

Posted by in Q & A on .

Drew Blevins is TriMet’s Director of Marketing and Customer Information.

Ask TriMet logoSome of you have expressed concern about the “Palestinian Loss of Land” advertisements that are posted on some of our buses and trains. We value and respect this feedback, so we wanted to share with you why we were legally required to post this ad.

In the past, we only accepted commercial ads—those that promote goods or services. Under this policy the “Palestinian Loss of Land” would not have been accepted. However, in 2008, the Multnomah County Circuit Court ruled that our policy violated free speech rights under the Oregon and United States constitutions.

We have requested the Oregon Supreme Court review this decision. But until the court decides the issue, our ad policy has been suspended so that we are in compliance with the law.

Here’s another thing to keep in mind: Advertising on TriMet property generates more than $5 million per year in revenue that—particularly in this difficult economic environment—helps support keeping buses and trains in service.

That said, TriMet does not endorse any particular viewpoint or product of an advertiser, and all ads are clearly marked “Paid Advertisement.” The “Palestinian Loss of Land” ad is a paid advertisement.

Again, thank you for your interest in this issue, and I hope this helps clear up any confusion about the ads appearing on TriMet vehicles.

UPDATE: Pro-Israel ads also appearing on TriMet vehicles, more on TriMet’s advertising policy