by Sean Ruppert, The Packet Group
ROBBINSVILLE — In an effort to find new revenue, the Board of Education has OK’d a plan to allow advertisements on school property.
The board unanimously approved an agreement last month with Corporate Management Associates, of Belford, to locate companies to place ads in the high school’s gymnasium, cafeteria and football stadium, as well as on the district Web site. CMA is an agency that specializes in placing business advertisements in sports and entertainment venues, as well as schools.
The company has performed similar services for school districts in Old Bridge and Holmdel, and recently signed an agreement with West Orange Public School, according to company President John Gulluscio. Some of their other clients include Monmouth Park racetrack and the Ritacco Center in Toms River.
”It is an opportunity to raise funds at no cost to the district,” school board President Michael Reca said this week.
Mr. Gulluscio said the district will not pay CMA up front for the services, but the agency will collect a 30 percent fee on any ads sold.
”Our idea is to bring corporate sponsorship to the high school level, just like what they do at collages,” Mr. Gulluscio said.
He said packages he sells to advertisers for high schools range from $3,500 to $7,500 annually, and that the company focuses on trying to get multi-year deals. Mr. Gulluscio added that selling ads has been made more difficult by the state of the economy, but that he is still confident that CMA will be able to find sponsorship for Robbinsville.
”It’s not as easy as it used to be, but I think we are priced accordingly,” he said.
Mr. Reca said the district’s administration is working out rules for the amount of marketing and types of ads that can be placed on district property, which would then require board approval. He said board members do not want the schools to become too commercialized.
”Obviously we don’t want any inappropriate advertising, and we don’t want our schools and athletic fields to look overmarketed,” Mr. Reca said. “We are going to try to be as professional and acceptable with this as possible.”
Mr. Reca and Superintendent John Szabo both said this week that they have not received any negative feedback about the decision.
Mr. Gulluscio acknowledged he has encountered some uneasiness from other school boards about allowing ads.
”My response is very simple. I tell them to stand on the front steps at the beginning of the school day and watch all the kids walk by in Nike hats and Gucci jeans; drinking Diet Coke with a cell phone in their ear,” he said. “I tell them that there already is advertising in their school, and they aren’t getting a nickel for it.”

