New type of agency offers fast, affordable TV ads for Community Banks.

• Position: New Products - Brief article

Community banks have traditionally avoided television advertising because of the cost and complexity--as well as the inability to focus on a highly targeted audience.

In recent years, new services have sprung up in an effort to make television advertising more practical and affordable for smaller financial institutions.

The latest entrant in this field is a company called Spot Runner, which calls itself "an Internet-based ad agency." The company's headquarters is in Los Angeles.

Basically, the company provides pre-produced commercials that can be customized and branded by taking advantage of the company's state-of-the-art digital production capabilities. It services businesses in a variety of fields, including financial institutions.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A complete television campaign, including an ad and airtime, can start as low as $1,500. From start to...