ONDCP Speaks Out Against Anti-Booze Ad Lobby

Halfway Through 5-Year Campaign, Bill Would Change Strategy
WASHINGTON, D.C.-A congressional proposal to make the Office of National Drug Control Policy change its course by targeting underage alcohol use as part of its $1 billion anti-drug
campaign faced criticism from White House officials last week.
“Taking an existing, well-researched campaign like this and suddenly changing it will dilute its effectiveness,” said Alan Levitt, who manages the ONDCP’s $185 million per year campaign. “The issue is like General Motors having an advertising budget for Cadillacs, but they also want a new entry level car for kids and are forced to take the money from the same advertising budget.”
The campaign, now in the second year of a five-year effort, is overseen by Ogilvy & Mather, New York.