The NDN just launched a new ad campaign that seems to be getting received fairly well, at least by Democrats. I hate to say it, but I'm not terribly impressed by the ad. I really liked the beginning… wasn’t terribly fired up (and sent simon an email saying so) about the negative part… and then felt the final half was very clichéd and hollow. I understand it’s hard to communicate in such a short time slot, but has there ever been a candidate on either side that wasn’t for creating jobs, improving education, strengthening communities and families, affordable healthcare, etc?
I think I’m perhaps just a confused cynic, but I thought that this ad fell right in line with many of the most popular complaints by the “other team”; namely that we’re just attacking Bush and not really offering any substantive plan for improvement.
Here's a link to a bunch of the Kerry campaign ads. There's one in here called "Juvenille" that I think is a lot more effective. It actually talks about substantive policy goals and projects a difference in strategy between the two candidates.
All of this said, I'm no political media consultant...and I'm smart enough to know it, so I'd love to hear some other opinions. In looking at the Daily Kos, it's clear that at least one person disagrees with me about the ad...which is good to see for the NDN.
too bad they didn't hire collmer to replace bob shrum!
Posted by: schiavoni | Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 12:16 PM
I actually liked the NDN ad. I think the movie trailer format will be effective for the entertainment-centric people of this country. I think we can all admit that if a character in a movie dies, we cry, yet we read that another 17 soldiers have been killed each day and it's just another number over morning coffee. Maybe this overdramatized, oversimplified ad will get through to all the people that can't separate reality from entertainment? If that's what it takes to engage the voters of the entertainment age, then I say do it.
I have to admit-- right now I'm incredibly disappointed in the stupidity of this country. Americans don't want to know the ins and outs of policy- it's all too confusing. What Americans want is a simple and brief soundbite. Americans would rather have a leader that seems like one of us than one who's actually looking out for us. (http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0439/baard.php)
So yeah, if America could handle and absorb a battle of issues, that would be fantastic. However, as a country staring into the headlights of information overload, our citizenry now needs to be hit over the head. We know that the Neo-Conservative (formerly known as the Republican party) is going to attack. What can the left do but fight back with the current weapon of choice? Media.
Lofty ideals aside- let's just get this guy out of the whitehouse whatever it takes. Something to think about-- have the ads become cliched or are they just hitting Americans over the head the way it needs to be done? Repeat something enough times and the sheep begin to believe it. I leave you with a PR mantra-- "If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle em with bullshit". I don't know what you all think, but I don't think brilliance is working for either side of this fight.
Posted by: Lish | Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 07:48 PM
I agree with Alex but not necessarily about the NDN ad but more about the race's overall direction. WJC talked to Kerry about focusing more on the specifics of his own agenda. I do not think Bush negatives are our problem at this point. We have to drive Kerry's positives to pick up the swing voter. In order to do that, people have to identify him with specific ideas and real proposals. They may not like the path they are on, but voters will not switch unless they know what the new one looks like.
cg
Posted by: Campbell Gibson | Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 01:15 PM