Advertising in HP Journal: Where is Steve Tyler?

["Shawn Googins" <oeniphile@hotmail.com>]

Dear Radsafers:

You may have seen some of the recent advertising from EG&G Ortec that 
claims counting lab operators whose lives are now filled with spare time 
because they use Ortec equipment/systems.  When I first saw these adds, 
I assumed they were real people with real success stories. Hey, I even 
have a few pieces of  EG&G equipment.
 
However, I noticed an interesting discrepancy in the advertising that 
makes me suspect that something is not quite right here.  The 7/97 issue 
of Health Physics Journal tells the story of one Steve Tyler - who now 
has time for his family because his lab is running much better.  The ad 
features a very nice looking, Caucasian family of four.  But then, I get 
my 11/97 issue of Health Physics Journal- and find that Mr. Tyler and 
family (inside cover page) have been converted to an equally nice 
looking African American family of 3!!!

Can there by two Steve Tylers?  Or is the whole thing - the family and 
the story - a complete marketing fabrication ?  Is Steve Tyler in the 
witness protection program?  Who is his plastic surgeon?  What gives?  
When a phone call comes in to Steve Tyler, who do they send it to?

Similar ads have run with other names and stories.  I checked to see if 
these people existed and to my surprise (well maybe not) none of these 
names appear in any health physics or rad protection directory that I 
have seen.   I noticed that all the ads in the series use the exact same 
lab photograph.  Can it be possible that these guys all work in the same 
place?  If all these people are working in the same place, its no wonder 
that they would have a lot of spare time.

So, I ask you - do these people exist anywhere in our industry?  Or is 
it advertising smoke and mirrors?  Do they really have extra time, or is 
it a marketing illusion?  Maybe someone could shed some light on this?


Shawn Googins, M.S., CHP
oeniphile@hotmail.com

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