Correct use of FIRST terms - use them, love them!

[Jessica Boucher]

In the slew of great letters sent to officials on the FIRST forums was a note from John Marichony, Chief Marketing Officer at FIRST. It can be viewed in its entirety here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=2359

There are some things in here to remember as you start to craft your team's message in 2007:

Greetings,
Response to the homework assignment has been phenomenal. In a very few instances, names of FIRST programs have not been used exactly as they are intended. Here are FIRST's preferred, recommended, and requested ways to refer to our programs:

The organization is FIRST, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, often referred to as FIRST, or FIRST (without italics). We try always to use italics. You are not "required" to do so.

FIRST's original program is called the FIRST Robotics Competition. We do not refer to it or the organization as "FIRST Robotics." In writing, we will provide the full name, then the acronym, and then refer to the program later in the copy as "FRC." Example: FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

Next, FIRST created the FIRST LEGO League (FLL), which we NEVER EVER refer to as "LEGO League." Also, just FYI, when you have two LEGO bricks, you say "I have two LEGO," not "I have two LEGOs."

Most recently, we created the FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC). We NEVER EVER refer to the program as "Vex." We do say that participants in the program us the "Vex Robotic Design System."

Hope that helps. Thanks for all your fabulous work and contributions.

John
__________________
John Marchiony
Chief Marketing Officer, FIRST

So, as you write and speak about all the great things you are doing this season - don't forget to use correct terminology! The more consistent the message, the clearer it will stick in the heads of those we wish to help us grow the program.

JAB