TRUTH IN ADVERTISING?

I can't help but laugh after reading this...

SEPTA is now planning a new ad campaign, according to a press release by SEPTA's Ministry of Mis-Information:

A new SEPTA ad campaign offers a unique sample of the language, traditions and "ad-di-tude" (sic) that is "Genuine Philly." The primary message of the series of print ads is that SEPTA is the driving force and fabric that holds the Greater Philadelphia region together.

Really? And all this time, I thought it was a 1,000 square mile piece of cloth that was the "fabric that holds the Greater Philadelphia region together", but what do I know. And, by the way, it's "ad-dy-tude"...

In one of the ads SEPTA's JoAnne Nuttle, who drives the Market-Frankford Owl bus, says, "There's no debate, its called gravy, not pasta sauce."

Whatever...

Another example of Genuine Philly comes from SEPTA's Toni Foster, "It's spelled Passyunk. It's pronounced Pashunk, don't ask me why."

Why? Because english is not neccesarily spoken too well in Philly...

Both ads include the line, "Millions of things make this our home. She'll take you to every one."

I guess that means they'll also take you to Rick Mariano's corruption trial as well...

Other SEPTA employees featured in the ads include regional rail Conductor R. D. Murray and Assistant Conductor Tia Kennerly as well as Bus Operators Angel M. Davila (Comly [depot]) and Brian Kelso (Southern).

The "stars" of the ads were selected through an internal open casting call held over two days.

I guess Fearless Leader and the Rotating Resumes at 1234 Market have faces better made for radio...

In a bow to one of Philly's oldest traditions, its beloved sports teams, SEPTA will also produce trading cards featuring the stars.

In another bow to it's "beloved sports teams" SEPTA will suddenly forget what the hell they're doing and run the system into the ground, much like Andy Reid's offensive (in both senses of the word) play calling in the past couple of Iggles games. Oh, wait, they already do that...

The trading cards, which will be available at SEPTA Sales locations in Center City, contain a money-saving coupon that can be used at participating merchants at Reading Terminal Market.

Well, I guess these will be more valuable than that Freddie Mitchell rookie card in a matter of weeks...

SEPTA has also created television ads with the Genuine Philly message. The "Love" statute, Mummers string bands and cheesesteaks are featured in the spots that will air on cable networks throughout the region. The television ads feature actors from the Greater Philadelphia region.

Also reportedly featured are Emperor Street's cronies who are about to become part of the federal prison system, and the various union fools who artificially drive up the costs of doing business in the region (hello, Johnny Doc).

The ad campaign is SEPTA's most ambitious in years and is meant to increase ridership and improve the image of the transit Authority.

Well, that and an extreme makeover couldn't hurt...