I do say. What is up? Obama Campaign Resuscitates Bud’s Wassup Campaign to Land a Punch

Posted by tom klein October 27, 2008 at 11:47 amcheck my bait, election 2008

from the baitshop

Budweiser had a hit in the original Wassup TV commercial. The Obama campaign has brought it back to life, but now uses the ad’s main characters to paint a picture of how things have changed (for the worse) over the last 8 years. What really works here is the humor. For those who remember the initial campaign, it’s instantly recognizable. For those who never saw it, we’ve included here both versions (the original and the remake). If anyone needed to be reminded of the hurricane Katrina debacle, the recent / current stock crash, home foreclosures, or health insurance problems – this ad does a good job . . . amazingly without being too much of a downer.

who’s it for?

The humor and the ad have very broad appeal. Given that Bud ran this ad, it’s probably well known at the very least to anyone who watches ESPN or sports on TV.

why is it being done?

For the Obama campaign, it’s important that they avoid coasting to the finish. Things didn’t work out too well 4 years ago for the prior nominee. This ad probably helps motivate some of those Gen Y voters and targets the well known Obama weakness among older men.

are the fish biting?

The fish are slapping fins on this one.

where to from here?

Early voting has already begun in many states. Everyone wonders what ingredients might make up an “October Surprise.” Conspiracy theorists . . . talk amongst yourselves.

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What a wonderful world Don’t Know Much (about the economy) TV ad review

Posted by tom klein August 25, 2008 at 4:40 pmcheck my bait, election 2008, television

from the baitshop

Well, we’re past the season of niceness and biographies. Now is when the fun begins. Everyone knew that this quote would come back to haunt Senator McCain. And so, here it is.

This ad features a well-known, though somewhat dated tune by Sam Cooke. Even though neither candidate seems to know that much about business (well, neither, it seems, has ever managed a business), it’s always fun to catch a politician in a moment of unscripted candor. Ads like this should teach everyone a lesson.

Yes, and for anyone feeling cranky and slighted, we realize that a President can’t possibly know everything about everything.

This ad tries to do too much and would have been stronger if it had stayed focused on explaining why John McCain was RIGHT when said that he didn’t know much about economic issues (if that is in fact the main point of the ad).

who’s it for?

The much coveted swing and undecided voter.

why is it being done?

The other shoe had to drop. There it goes.

are the fish biting?

Hard to say, though shouldn’t Senator McCain at least get some credit for being honest (or maybe he was pretending to be honest – drat, how can you ever know)?

where to from here?

More ads to come, though only the swingers will see them.

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Oh courant! Obama’s Running Mate email and text notifier

Posted by tom klein August 20, 2008 at 12:42 pmcheck my bait, election 2008, email

from the baitshop

This is just plain smart. And cheap. And modern. Instead of holding a press conference, the Obama camp has decided that it will send the announcement of his running mate by email and text message. Even better, they’re capturing email addresses and text messages for all sorts of good stuff in the future – ranging from fund raising, to organizing, sourcing volunteers, and then the big enchilada . . . getting people to the polls.

who’s it for?

It’s for the political wonks who have to be in the know. Or maybe just for someone who wants the scoop before it gets to CNN.com or the New York Times.

why is it being done?

In addition to the obvious, it positions the Obama camp as with it and somewhere south of 75 years old.

are the fish biting?

This is a win. Even if McCain copies it, he’s just copying it.

where to from here?

You can sign up to receive the announcement of Obama’s running mate. More importantly, there may be a lesson here for you. Does your company have something that your customers would like to know about – right when it’s available?

Update: It’s Biden, though the noble experiment was a failure. The news hit the presses BEFORE the official message thanks to a leak by an insider.

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Back to basics John McCain biography TV ad review

Posted by tom klein July 28, 2008 at 9:59 amelection 2008, television

from the baitshop

McCain is nothing if not the biography candidate. This TV ad delivers that biography, juxtaposing a wounded and tortured McCain shot down over Vietnam with long-haired, sybaritic hippies who definitely do inhale. Too bad Senator Obama couldn’t be shown in stark contrast soaking in Woodstock or some other hedonistic festival. The point is that in 1968 Senator Obama had just entered . . . the first grade.

who’s it for?

This ad tells the McCain biography for those who don’t know it. Surprisingly, Senator McCain has made no mention of the fact that his son is currently serving in Iraq.

why is it being done?

Introduce the candidate and explain his bona fides in national defense and security matters.

are the fish biting?

Those electoral fish can be tricky. It seems that the swing states are too close to call, though there’s much talk of a press corps love affair with the other guy.

where to from here?

While these ads are nice, the real battle will happen when the campaign moves beyond biography.

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Patriot games Obama’s Country I Love tv ad review

Posted by tom klein July 3, 2008 at 4:23 pmelection 2008, television

from the baitshop

The TV ad war has begun. First shot fired by the Obama camp with this biographical ad. It addresses in one swoop numerous kefuffles – from the flag pin to the elitist “clinging to guns” comment and I’m sure several in between. While it may seem surprising that anyone who’s not a potted plant already knows him, rest assured that most of the country doesn’t really know much about Senator Obama. Ergo, this introduction and history helps introduce the candidate to that part of the country that’s been just going to work and doing their job, as opposed to following the primaries.

who’s it for?

Surprisingly, this ad isn’t just for purple and blue states. They’re investing in some of the other varieties, with hopes of putting more in play than the usual handful of folks from that state that’s high in the middle and round on the ends.

why is it being done?

Introduce the candidate and start the campaign against McCain.

are the fish biting?

TV ads are expensive, especially when compared to what is, I am not making this up, 24 hour coverage on cable. I’m sure the pollsters are seeing that these ads and helping folks to get to know Senator Obama.