They are obviously and effect marketing tool.
Of course, so were Obama’s ads.
Everyone has ads... It’s like a marketing expert said one time... “I know 50% of my advertising is effective, but I don’t know which half.”
In my case, after long experience, I can tell you that it’s the 50% that is not only effective, but has the product behind it... :-)
In Obama’s case, there’s “nothing” behind the ad... LOL...