Columbus – State of Ohio Treasurer and Chair of the Ohio Complete Count Committee, Kevin L. Boyce, will head to the nation’s capital for a preview of the U.S. Census Bureau’s national advertising campaign.

In an effort to increase awareness and mail-back response rates, the Bureau is preparing to launch a $133 million national advertising campaign.  The campaign, which will launch nationally on January 17, 2010, will be one of the largest U.S. advertising efforts this year.

As Chair of the Ohio Complete Count Committee, Treasurer Boyce emphasizes that an effective ad campaign is critical for the success of the 2010 Census.  “This campaign is one of the most comprehensive integrated communications efforts conducted in the United States.   For it to be successful, we must continue to seek out innovative marketing strategies to target every segment of the population—if we don’t, the cost of not ensuring an accurate count will affect us over the next decade,” said Boyce.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, for every percentage point increase in the 2010 Census mail-back response rate, the Bureau saves $85 million in follow-up with non-responding households.