In China it may be the Year of the Tiger, but in the U.S. it is the year of the Census.

It’s like an Olympics for marketers only it happens once every 10 years.  And its effects are far reaching — from government needs (distribution of congressional seats, federal funding, etc.) to consumer goods (where to open new stores, product mixes, etc.).

The Census will provide the data to confirm or refute large societal shifts and greater diversity among neighborhoods and communities.  Better business decisions, better marketing, all with greater confidence, should follow.

So it should be no surprise given what rests on the outcomes that the Census is spending significant time and money getting the word out.  In fact, more than twice the money (more than $300 million on getting the word out) and in 11 more languages (28 total) than the 2000 Census.  New media (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), traditional media (i.e., TV, radio, print), and even a traveling road show will play a part.

Given the importance of the outcomes for our clients, we’ll certainly be keeping tabs on how things progress.

Above ad is part of the campaign to get the word out about the Census.  What do you think of it?  More at AdFreak.