That is hardly true.
FIRST has been featured numerous times on the national level and just because it's not on the tip of every persons tongue hardly makes it a failure than more of a niche. Just check
this page out to see all the national media coverage it has gotten.
In this ADD riddled world of fast food media FIRST will never claim the national conscience. It's too much of a straight shooter to do so and personally I like FIRSTs place in the world. We may not be at the top of the mountain but we are making steady progress and touching lives all the way and never quitting. I think we are doing great.