"Pork Breakthrough"

Pig farmers have never done well in the United States.
Most Americans prefer beef to pork. Hamburger is an
American favorite but contains no ham.

The porcine raisers were hopeful to see a significant
increase in their business after the scares about
health over beef, but most of the benefits had gone
to the poultry and fish industries; sale of ham and
bacon remained virtually unchanged.

Because of this, The National Porcine Association hired
a major Madison Avenue advertising firm to boost sale
of pork products. They decided on an intensive
campaign to saturate magazines, television, and radio
with ads urging people to eat pork patties.

The campaign was given an extra boost when Congress
was convinced to designate the second of February as
the day when every family would be urged to eat pork
sausage.

That day would be celebrated nationally, of course, as
Ground Hog Day.