August 1, 2008
WHO DARES PIE THE UNICORN RIDER?:
Why the McCain Ad Works (Evan Tracey, 08.01.08, AdAge)
There has been a lot of hand-wringing about the recent McCain ad that compares Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. I have read numerous sources and watched talking heads who have panned the ad as over-the-top and in poor taste. I have to say as a non-partisan ad analyst, I think the ad is pure genius.The reason I like the ad is simply that it works. It takes a pie-in-the-face approach to advertising. The ad shocks the viewer by asserting that Obama is the political equivalent of a party girl, inciting viewers to reconcile this charge and not turn off the ad, forcing them to stay tuned for the punch line: Obama will raise your taxes and import more foreign oil.
Posted by Orrin Judd at August 1, 2008 4:23 PM
The handwringing is from the media. How dare Sen. McCain compare Sen. Obama to a bubble-headed bleached blonde? When you are receiving that kind of flak you know you are over the target.
Posted by: Mikey at August 2, 2008 7:04 PMIt works because it, and O's reaction, show that McCain is hipper than The One. Diminishes O's appeal to the young folks, and their enthusiasm for him.
Posted by: Steve at August 3, 2008 3:15 AM
The next one's even better.
Posted by: Ibid at August 1, 2008 6:30 PM