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In 2018, 10 years after the damaging recession of 2008, America struggled to hang onto its democratic values, shaken by a profound mistrust in government, with freedom of speech under attack and thousands of refugees seeking asylum in America. Compounding those problems were economic inequality, a loss of common civility, and a failure to provide for the needs of returning warriors. By 2019, the fabric of American society was barely holding together.
Selling Americans on America tells of another turbulent era—Post World War II— when a phenomenon called the "Freedom Train" reignited citizens’ faith in a country that was riddled with dissent, anxiety and mistrust in its leaders.
In 1945-46 more than five million workers enlisted in labor strikes across the country. The constant fear of communist infiltration dominated the headlines. Returning GIs demanded jobs and housing. Government entities continued war-time meat and dairy rationing. Displaced Persons fleeing war-torn Europe poured into the country. Overseeing the chaos was a president nobody elected, coupled with a bitter, divisive Congress.
To renew citizens’ unity and pride in their nation, a privately funded consortium of advertising, civic, and entertainment professionals created a product to literally "Sell Americans on America." To help carry their message of hope, they assembled 130 priceless documents including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Combined with a media blitz of songs, operettas, radio shows, and local festivities, the train reminded Americans that "Freedom is Everybody’s Job."
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Before co-creating Avril 1 Group, Inc., Gerry Souter produced, wrote and directed industrial video, commercial and television programming for 11 years at Motivation Media in Glenview, Illinois, winning 14 national and international awards. Prior to that, he was a writer, producer, international filmmaker and photographer at Motorola Marketing Communications for eight years. His career began with four years of study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Chicago. Gerry's graduate honors in photography led to newspaper, international photojournalism and documentary film making. Motorola hired him after numerous freelance assignments covering the Arctic, Africa, Europe and the Olympic Games. His work history also includes experience as an art teacher, security officer for the Arizona State Guard and Detective Agency and as an Ordinary Seaman in the U. S. Merchant Marine.
