Playlists
Opinionated perspectives on The Living Room Candidate are offered by guest commentators, including prominent journalists, authors, historians, and political consultants.
This playlist is designed to support the classroom use of the “What Makes an Effective Ad?” lesson plan. Additional analysis of the ads and an... more
The Geico Message Strategy
Besides holding the advantage on spending, the Obama campaign also had a superior message strategy. When a campaign runs so many ads in such a condensed time period, it tends to get diminished returns. Without... more
Real People in Political Ads
Voters and elections intrigue me. I earn a living from advertising, and I find political advertising endlessly interesting. What works, what makes people respond? What gives them reason to believe? Or... more
There are a lot of concerns being expressed in all quarters about the harsh tone of the 2008 presidential campaign. It has been hard hitting. But has the tenor of this campaign broken new ground? Are we witnessing the most negative campaign... more
Little has changed in politics over the past 60 years. Eisenhower’s pitch to white women (“Women Voters”) is striking for its time-capsule feel (Mom in charge of everything; Dad in charge of aloof paper-reading), but also reminds us... more