Posted on 04/02/2007 1:21:34 PM PDT by Bob J
We are losing the media battle for the hearts and minds of Americans over the war on terrorism in Iraq. The left controls the MSM...networks, much of cable, the major newspapers, magazines, hollywood, academia, etc. Rallies get scant coverage, positive developments in Iraq get spiked and the news is ALL BAD. They are never going to report fairly until they have elected a dem as President, and then it will be too late.
Now we're never going to convince the hardcore lefties or committed dems who will support anything, no matter how much it hurts the country, as long as it helps elect dems to office. We don't need to convince those of us on the right, that is just preaching to the choir and a waste of resources.
If we want to change the course of public opinion we need to reach those middle swing voters, independents and leaning pubbies who supported the war at the beginning but are now "going wobbly" as Margaret Thatcher might say.
The only way we can reach the public is by going around the MSM. This doesn't leave many avenues but there is one...outdoor advertising. While we don't have the money to rent thousands of billboards (yet) there is one thing we can do in the next 18 months that could be very effective...bumper stickers.
BS are traveling billboards and each one can create hundreds of impressions a day. Getting 100k or 500k or even 1 million BS's out on cars before the next election might help turn the tide.
1. The goal - Reshape majority opinion on the need to stay the course in Iraq.
2. Target - Independents, right leaning dems, swing voters and wobbly pubs and conservatives.
3. Method - Create millions of impressions each day that impact people on the need to defeat terror in Iraq and to support the Iraqi people in their efforts to create a funtioning democracy.
We need to create BS "slogans" that our targets will go "hmmm" at. They can't be in your face, they can't be overtly political and they absolutely cannot make them feel like they are traitors or are being accused of not supporting the military. If that is the impression created we'll lose them before we even get a shot at them. Many if not most of these "targets" DID support the war at one time and DO feel they support the military, but the left has been effective in co-opting that theme with "Yes, support the military by bringing them home", so it's impact has been diminished. This isn't saying supporting the troops isn't a noble cause and those efforts should be terminated, as it's important for our soldiers to know they have our support. But this media effort is not targeted at the military.
So, put yourself in the shoes of someone who at one time supported the effort in Iraq and maybe now has changed their mind. What could we put in a bumper sticker that might have them saying to themselves "Hmmm, I didn't think of that", or "I think that's right".
Please keep in mind brevity is critical to success in people seeing and understanding the message. The rule of thumb in marketing is you have 3 seconds, at best, to get your point across.
NOTE - We haven't come up with a plan yet on distributing the BS. The idea is still in it's conceptual stage, but all suggestions are welcome.
They’re dying to win
I’ve been looking at print-at-home options. If we provide the artwork and templates people can order and print their own for about $1 each if they print 20 or so. They will have to be sprayed with a vinyl coating as well.
I’m not looking at making these available on an individual basis (better to offer large quantities to organizations who can then distribute themselves)...too much time and $$, so being able to order in smaller quantities from a printer or doing at home will be necessary.
I think $3-$5 is to much, we need to find a way to get the cost down to around a dollar.
I agree but I think we have to make a direct connection or as you say, they can be misinterpreted or ineffective.
Then the second option (makestickers.com or the like) is more like it. Once you order 100 or more, the price point gets below $1 a sticker (down to $0.58 each for 1000), and they are weather resistant. That's for a 3"x10" rectangle. color or black and white Again, that's just using Google's first hit -- there are other printers out there, so a better price might be found.
We Won the War
Let’s Win the Peace
The standard BS size is 3.75x11...3x10 may be too small. I was looking at going with 4x14 for the larger run since many of these slogans are somewhat long. The larger size will get more attention.
I also think the average Jane and Joe at home will be interested in a quantity around 20...enough to hand out to some friends. People that want one may have to print at home or look at paying $4-$5 dollars total.
Looks like these guys can do a 3.75x14 in large quantities for maybe around .10-.12 each.
http://www.victorystore.com/bumper/bumper.htm
I’m thinking in the qty we might order, we could get the printing company to make smaller batches available, say in 5, 10, 25, 50, 125, 250 for individual orders. We could also negotiate a good price for people so everyone is getting the advantage of the bulk pricing. We might also ge them to sell blank sheets (8.5x14) for home printing and make the templates available so people could just plug them into WORD or a poster program like Printmaster. They would still be making money off the blank BS vinyl paper.
Islam is the Problem Not George Bush
nope , call a spade a spade
I have this on my truck and folks read it every day
I like that idea. Only with a big check mark beside Fight there. Like the purple finger graphic too.
Win the War. Lose the Peace?
You’re kidding, right???
The GOE's bumpersticker is Black on yellow, and the message is, "If you can't stand behind them, stand in front of them."
That was win/win as in We Won the War Now Let’s Win the Peace.
England, Germany, Japan ...Iraq, battle on!
or
Terrorist just follow you home
Thanks for bumping the thread. I took a look at that bumper sticker and it does appear to be readable from far away. I’m not sure on the best colors for visaility, I was going to ask the manufacturers.
An observation, I don’t know how many of those they had printed up, but the next run they might consider adding something to it so it is more apparent it is talking about the soldiers. If it wasn’t for the ribbon, I’m not sure I would know that if I saw it on the street, and, people might not be able to make out the ribbon at all in a passing car. Maybe yellow text on a black background? That would make the yellow ribbon stand out better.
Not a criticism, just a suggestion.
I like the boxes...it’s kind of like a ballot, the inference being not only people voting in their hearts and minds but our reps voting in Congress.
At least one or two of the BS should have a theme of “if we don’t beat them there, violence will follow us home”.
I’m not commenting on yours, both lines are my version.
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