Should new TV & radio ads have Ron Paul giving his own message?
Posted October 21st, 2007 by fight4liberty
output
I'm disappointed in the new radio ads because I fear that if we change what has *worked* for us up to now we could lose the momentum the campaign presently has. It's the old idea of "If it works, don't fix it".
Unless you are like some of us who knew of and admired Ron Paul before his campaign began you probably didn't really start paying attention to RP until after you *saw* and *heard* him speak in one of the Republican debates or during an interview with a reporter. And if you're like most people you probably sensed there was something different about him that you had never seen in a politician before.
We've all heard comments like: "You can tell just by listening to him that he's an honest man." or "You just know he really believes in what he is talking about.", etc., etc. I mean did you become a real RP fan because of what someone else told you about him? No, it was after you saw RP with your own eyes and listened to him live on TV or on a video, right?
So, why should we think that a smooth talking pro announcer in an ad telling the audience about how great Ron Paul is (no matter how true that is) is going to have any real impact on the listener?
Reporters used to repeatedly ask RP why he thought he was becoming so popular on the Internet and in his characteristically humble manner he would usually say something like, "Well, I'd like to think it was me, but I really believe it's the message..." The truth is it is both the message and the messenger! I mean picture any of the three "front runners" saying the exact same message on TV and...well, you get my point.
So, in expanding our reach to the audiences of the MSM by airing political ads on TV and radio we have to do it in a way that doesn't abandon what was successful about our activity of exchanging videos on YouTube. Let the TV and radio audiences see and hear him the same way we did.
This is no time to copy the pre-Internet, MSM ad production style just because some corporate ad company says "that's the way it's done". No "that's the way it WAS done". Because if there's one thing we know for sure no one can get the message of freedom across more effectively than RP himself!
Therefore, if this analysis is correct it means that the majority of the time of the TV and radio ads should feature RP himself. This could very easily be done by using a pro announcer for a quick intro to the ad then showing one, two or three clips of live footage of Ron Paul from debates or interviews and then bring the pro back to do the tag end of the ad. The clips of live footage would, of course, be chosen based on whatever are the appropriate hot issues for the state(s) they are going to be aired in.
And one last thing. Why does the radio ad only give the RP website address to get more information? What about the millions listening to the radio that don't use the Internet? I know there is a 1-800-RonPaul phone number. Why don't we use it?
What are your thoughts?
P.S. I emailed these suggestions to the RonPaul2008 campaign several weeks ago but received no answer. So, if any of you agree with what I have posted here and have "connections", please feel free to pass this along or email me with any recommendations on how I might get in contact with them.
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Ron should be there in person for mock ups or past video to show support for people in person
This always sells.
Hate the Announcer
Ron Paul has a friendly voice. He can connect personally with voters. Why let some generic announcer speak for him? People tune out generic ads.
Absolutely!!!!
The problem with success is it attracts money, which attracts the pablum pushers. They "know" how a campaign ought to be run. They don't like the r3VOLution, because they do not control it. That that is the point is beyond their comprehension, comfort level or desire to control and use.
Ron Paul is a breath of fresh air. He is different. He is a natural sound bite producer. He has the voting record to match the rhetoric, unlike all other. He has been attacked ALL his political career, and survived and thrived. Let Ron Paul be Ron Paul. His instincts are spot on. Unleash Ron Paul! [And fire the wimps!]
Freedom's the Answer. What's the Question?
Endorsments would be powerful
For the next ad campaign I believe endorsements by other influential and well regarded people would be compelling. Perhaps Judge Neopolitano would work well.
I have deleted my own
I have deleted my own comment.
NO Not right now
Its all about building name id for him in the early primary states which legitimizes Ron Paul in the eyes of many voters. People want to be associated with a winner... and when most people they know haven't heard of Ron Paul they question whether of not they should vote for him. The ad is excellent and you get more information out that easier to hear with the professional voice. Remember this isn't TV where you can watch the person speaking. This is the radio where it is absolutely important to have a good speaker communicating. The campaign is doing a good job.
PLEASE don't waste the time of Snyder, Lew Moore etc... calling them to complain that Ron Paul isn't narrating the commercials. A raspy voice on the internet would not be as beneficial to the goal right now of getting his name out there.
I get what you're saying, Dante...
And maybe you're right, but so far there seems to be quite a few supporters that agree RP should do his own ads. After this topic runs for a couple days if there is a significant number who agree that RP should give his own message then I think this should be made known to RP HQ so that they can evaluate if they think they should do something about it or not. In the meantime I would like to suggest that those who agree with me on this point hold off calling RP HQ until we let this topic run two days until this Monday night. We can evaluate what to do at that point. Thanks and stay tuned...
Yes, the ads need to be only Ron Paul speaking
Hearing the Dr. speak is so much more convincing than some smooth talker. When people hear Ron Paul, they are shocked enough to check him out. When they hear some smooth talker they think, oh that's nice, and forget about him.
INFOMERCIAL
i wonder how much a half hour infomercial would cost? if you cant get a good dose of ron paul from that then someones doing something really wrong. think about it. every sunday morning theres always a channel playing infomercials and i ve seen them on fox as well. if they can afford to market really retarded junk on infomercials it might not be as expensive as we think. imagine a half hour slot to show what the ron paul revolution is about! the campaign could tell us when and what channel it will play on and we can hand out flyers to let everyone know and even advertise it in the local newspapers! whos the guy that did the NH comercials?brandon lloyd i think it is? if you see this could you find out how much this would cost? may be we could all pitch in for something like this if its not too much.
I like your idea a lot!
A 30 minute infomercial would give the viewer enough time to perceive RP's honest and passionate concern for America and the Constitution and to be moved by it. Even if it was a 5 or 10 minute commercial at a cheap time of the day it would be great.
I thought about that too
I agree I think the infomercials are the way to go.
NO! The guy they have now is
NO! The guy they have now is perfect. I would just like to see that cartoon video as a TV ad.
Frankly, most of the people
Frankly, most of the people I've talked to who don't support him but know who he is are initially turned off because they don't like the way he looks or the way he sounds. His message is terrific, but and he's a man of integrity and principle, but he sounds scratchy and awkward during interviews and in many speeches. I think the campaign is being wise to minimize the use of Dr. Paul himself in these initial-exposure ads.
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"That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." - John Stuart Mill
Glaser
Appreciate your comments; however, suggest you try to get to a Ron Paul Rally to get the wonderful feeling of his messages. I'm for a collage of various moments put together by all the Ron Paul Supporters. Approval if available from Jack Cafferty on his comments, the beautiful black lady speaking for Dr. Paul, Clips from Charles Goyette, Ron Paul comments on the war, Federal Reserve, Currency, and IRS..
There is so much great material to work with, but definitely have Ron Paul as the main communicator....
100% Agreement!!!
I couldn't agree more. They need to have clips of what he has said, then followup with the announcer saying one or two sentences to punch home the point. That should be it.
I understand they are targeting a different audience than we internet-types, whatever that is, but that older, listen to the radio and TV crowd would respond to actual clips of his voice, I think. The sincerity and passion only comes across when HE speaks.
I'll let them know too.
Ron Paul is an original
I don't like the "formula" ads either. It seems that these ads concentrate on the past performances of candidates. While I understand that past performance is important this is crucial time in history and people want to know about the direction a presidential candidate will take the country.
If Ron Paul made a commercial stating the things he would do upon winning the election and the things he would like to do with the help of congress, I think this would resonate more than any other type of ad.(At the end of this type of ad, "the voice" could then say that his record shows that he is true to his word.)
I, also, would like to see ads made by regular people. I just love going on YouTube and watch people talk about why they are voting for Ron Paul.
Ron Paul is an original. He deserves original commercials!
Speaking of originals, what about the cartoon ad that was on this site a few days ago? What's wrong with that? I certainly would donate to have that cartoon ad aired!!!
Agree 100%
.
I remember when a group from New Hampshire created and aired a Ron Paul TV commercial at their own expense. I applaud their initiative, but the spot was a cluttered mess. Most commercials for Ron Paul are just messy and without focus.
Letting Ron Paul just talk would be the best. Maybe a little music underneath (some of the Ken Burns' music for the Civil War was quite stirring and good).
Simple is good, the message is good. Messy is not good. Polished announcers who don't care - not good.
a really good idea!
absolutely - let dr. paul speak. he is the most powerful tool we have. just listening to him watching him is what it took for so many people.
i have met him twice and his heart and soul are right there when you're speaking with him. he is so beautiful and you know when you're speaking with him how committed he is to what he is saying. i was in awe and yet completely at home. what can i say - he is my hero!
also, yes the 800 number is essential.
lastly, emailing HQ is a waste of time.......they get 1000's of e's every day.
call HQ - see if jesse benton is there or even kent snyder or lew moore.
http://www.ronpaul2008.co...
ps i plan on calling HQ tomorrow about this. but i need not be alone!
blessings,
sunny
Completely agree
Some Paul supporters like this new radio ad. Not me. Its as bland as a bowl of day old oatmeal. Ron has the support he has today precisely because he doesn't pull punches and try to be all things to all people by uttering vague generalities. This ad sounds like some blow dried "gee, I just think Americas's great, except, darn it, we have to cut back on big government" BS Romney ad.
So what is campaign headquarters thinking? That the people who haven't heard of RP are not political junkies like his "internet" supporters, and thus will not respond to a reasoned argument within a one minute ad presented by RP on any given issue? Has the campaign tested a variety of ads to determine which is most effective at pulling in new RP supporters? If not, I believe they should. I suspect their ads would be dramatically more effective if each one just had Ron explaining a particular issue. Meaningful depth - unique for radio and TV - can be provided in a one minute ad. Each ad may want a teaser at the end like, "Listen for Ron's ads on other issues affecting your children's future".
As is, this ad does not provide any detail on what he proposes - just says he's against big government and nation building - then says go to the RP website for more information. The problem here is you need to grab someone with REAL information like Ron explaining the IRS can be abolished and yet the government will still have sufficient funds from other sources to function with the budgetary total of FY 2000. Does anyone really believe the government couldn't manage on what it spent in the year 2000? That sort of thing. Then maybe prospects will perk their ears up enough to listen and look at his website. But I fear the ad as is - while a few people will say sure, they agree - it still does not starkly contrast him with the other candidates - and unless the listener is really interested in politics they will never bother to go to his website or elsewhere to find more information.
marlow
This commercial has ONE
This commercial has ONE purpose. It is to introduce Ron Paul to the voters. It's going to be somewhat bland...all it is is saying "hey, there's a guy named Ron Paul running for president. He's a good guy. Check him out." That way, next time they see or hear of Ron Paul, they'll be more likely to pay attention.
The commercial is just to introduce him, not tell all about his policies.
"I am a friend of the Free State Project. Check it out...and if you like it, join and continue the effort!" -- Rep. Ron Paul
FreeStateProject.org
porcupine is 110% correct!!!!
People who are driving in their cars (where most people listen to the radio) are not about to sit there and listen to a lecture on what Ron Paul is going to do when he gets into office. They are probably on their cell phone or trying to keep their kids quiet in the back. Its great that the Ron Paul campaign is the most innovative campaign out there, but lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Anybody who works in marketing will tell you the same thing: repitition, repitition, repitition. Note how many times the PROFESSIONAL (manditory for a radio ad), announcer said the name Ron Paul. People, its 1 full year before the election. No one in New Hampshire is going to decide who they are going to vote for hearing a radio ad while driving down the road in October 2007. REMEMBER, KISS: Keep it simple, stupid.Step 1: get the name out there!!!!
800 number needs to be included
in future ads. Think of all the potential voters without internet access or computers. Senior citizens, folks living in sparsely populated rural areas, etc. get their information from radio, TV and newspapers. Also, I agree that Ron Paul should do ads with his own voice. I've been fortunate to meet him here in NH and he's like the grandfather I never had. Ron Paul exudes sincerity and kindness that I fail to see in other politicians. Not only is his record on defending the Constitution impeccable, but his personality is one of his greatest strengths! People who haven't had the opportunity to meet the Dr. face to face or hear him speaking off stage have no idea how personable he is. Please!! Get Ron Paul in a one on one style ad on camera! His numbers will skyrocket! Sorry for preaching to the choir all. :)
The War
I really wish they could have said something about the war ,too many people immediately equate the word republican with being pro Iraq war.
The Patriot Act, etc
I wish they'd include Dr. Paul's promise to immediately void the Patriot Act and all the other excessive executive powers that Bush has given to all future presidents. People need to hear this.
i'm sure there would be too many submissionsn to go through...
but his campaign should run a contest for the "best radio/tv ad" and use those ideas ...
or they should at least YOUTUBE their ideas and let certain blog/forum groups vote on them...
coz ya... the radio ad was kind of hoe-key.
Agree
I don't know why the campaign hasn't formed a focus group of supporters to get their input on the advertising. After all, we've already bought the product, we're part of the public, we know what the "people" are thinking better than any professional, dull, cookie-cutter political ad producer!