Posted on 08/28/2008 6:06:09 AM PDT by Zakeet
So-called ambush ads are typically reserved for Web-savvy marketers such as General Motors and AT&T. The newest believer: a 71-year-old presidential candidate.
Sen. Barack Obama appears to many people to be running a far more tech-wise campaign than his opponent, with his use of text messages to announce his vice-presidential candidate and the creation of his own vibrant social network, My.BarackObama.com.
But Sen. John McCain is in some ways outsmarting Sen. Obama when it comes to Internet marketing. One example: As of Wednesday, a Google search for "Joe Biden" or even just "Biden" resulted in a prominently displayed ad labeled "Joe Biden on Obama" that links to Sen. McCain's site. There, a video begins playing that shows Sen. Biden criticizing Sen. Obama during the Democratic primaries. The move mimics the "ambush" strategy that advertisers often employ: buying a competitor's term so that an ad for the buyer's own product appears when a consumer searches for the other brand.
Sen. McCain was able to pull off that sleight of hand because he outbid his opponent for the search term "Joe Biden." As a result, Sen. McCain's ad takes the top spot alongside search results, while Mr. Obama's ad appears lower in the results.
Sen. McCain's team has been the aggressor in other ways, too. In recent days, it has bought search ads tied to key terms such as "U.S. economy" and "housing crisis," which take visitors to Web sites outlining Sen. McCain's plan on those issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
I'm spending my marketing money on better things ... like building a Greek temple.
The article contains a lengthy analysis of the marketing programs for both campaigns.
But McCain doesnt even know how to use email ;)
That part was a joke, right?
Owl_Eagle
If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.
No that’s what they tried to do.
They tried to send out a text message at (go figure) 3am to show that he was up and had made his decision at 3am with the intent of showing people he is able to make tough decisions at 3am.
But it was botched and the message didn’t get out like it should have.
That’s what I heard anyway
In all areas. Especially the “not a crackhead” area
My lord,
Obamanation is just SUCH an arrogant prick.
Makes me want to hurl.
The news broke on CNN at midnight so he was forced to send it out ahead of schedule. Another day, another blunder.
Smoke and mirrors. He did NOT send out the text message, neither he himself nor his staff flunkies. The message was NOT sent on time.
And his "socialist networking site" My.barackobama.com hosts many racist diatribes by antisemites and naked Communists. Their activities have been watched by those critical of the Obamessiah.
FAIL
So "aggressive". Yeah right. It is called going on OFFENSE to get your message out, not just making attack ads or going on DEFENSE.
But if he went on offense, would that mean that these innocuous ads were "offensive"?
Thankfully, the McCain camp has learned from the single biggest downfall of the Bush admin, the PR war.
Actually it is NOT about "branding". The OBAMA HOPE-CHANGE posters were about "branding". Turning Obama into PEPSI or CHEVY.
This is more like PETA buying a term that would match searches for McDonald's or Ringling Bros. Circus to get the word out about animal cruelty and veganism.
When a Democrat activist (who later worked FOR the Kerry campaign) bought a website name akin to George Bush's name (GWBush.com? I don't recall), the media championed his "satirical" site which continually stole the latest layout of Bush's site but added doctored images of Bush with coke dust under his nose. Wonder who's website has pictures of Obama with his own admitted coke dust under his nose...
Only one party is permitted to engage in such tactics without rebuke.
I had to do a double-take. (That's how I read it the first time.)
McCain has run an very good and cost-effective campaign. So far, I give John an A for his campaign. I was worried about him at first, but McCain has been spot on with his ads.
For someone who’s be hailed as being technological savvy in using the web to raise money, McCain sure does seem to have Obama beat in this area.
They should air the CELEBRITY ad a few more times then.
Intercut with “dramatic” scenes from the film that every Hollywood and NYU film student learns “Triumph of the Will”.
The major networks will need a refresher to be sure to capture the right edited angles as the Obamessiah rises up from under the stage.
“me me me”
I think that would be a bit too ummm... “edgy” for McCain to use clips from Leni Riefenstahl’s Nazi propaganda films, no matter how fitting it may be.
McCain has also bought up the top ad on Drudge.
Show side by side comparisons. I’ve denounced the films, denounced Hollywood honoring her at the Oscars when she died, and pointed out that every film student (like those making the Obama propaganda) have meticulously studied these films in a classroom setting.
If it is okay for Madonna(celebrity) to compare McCain to Hitler and Mugabee in her concert video, and Obama to Ghandi, then it is fair game.
Obama needs to denounce the Madonna concert stunt if he does not want to “go there”.
Shepherd Fairey, the artist known for the famous iconic "hope-change-progress" posters was formerly known as the artist behind agitprop posters like this one:
He was HIRED by the Obama campaign and got a lovely handsigned letter from Obama thanking him for his profound/profane works that are recognized as equally powerful on a Stop sign in public or a gallery wall.
Shows he knows how to delegate! :)
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