Stars are aligning for a Glen Bradley Cable TV ad

[GunnyFreedom]

The former county GOP Chair is a former TV engineer, has all the camera and mixing equipment we'd need in his home, and we could produce a spot for the cost of a DVD.

Just hooked up with an "old hat" commercial producer who may do the same for producing an ad, and he is "all in" on our platform. Used to produce all the old Jesse Helms TV ads (I know, I know, don't get me started) but turns out to be a huge Ron Paul fan, wants to help me, and says that "Restore The Constitution" is the best message to get elected right now.

The engineer wants to focus on a "no new taxes" pledge, as he did such an ad several years ago running in Roanoke Rapids and Louisburg, and said that it had a tremendous positive effect on the GOP vote that year. I want to focus on a "Restore The Constitution" message, and that would seem to also be the passion of the director.

Below is what I just e-mailed them (in response to his email to us suggesting it):


This sounds like an excellent idea. Perhaps we could specifically raise the money for this locally. I just put something together that (without rushing that I could tell) comes to 34 seconds:

My name is Glen Bradley. I am NOT a politician, but a citizen ANGRY at the status quo, who will stand up for YOU.

Taxes are a burden on families, and they kill jobs. Jobs we need to survive. As your Representative, I pledge to vote NO on any tax increases, and restore the jobs you deserve.

Politicians get into office, forget about the people who sent them there, ignore the Constitution, do anything they want, and leave us to clean up their mess.

It's time to clean up the mess. My name is Glen Bradley, it's time to restore the Constitution, and I am asking for your vote.

I am Glen Bradley, and I approved this message.

A little smoothing and we could get it to 30 seconds.

As to making the commercial solely about taxes, I get where you are coming from, but right now people are more interested in jobs than taxes, and my concern is that every politician from here to Kingdom Come talks about no new taxes whether they actually mean it or not. People have heard that before a thousand times. I think that in THIS environment, if that's all I say, then I may as well say "read my lips."

I am working with my people now on how to "sound bite" the idea of 'Restore the Constitution' as on the canvass, that is what is turning people on more than anything else I am saying.

The script above is just off the top of my head, without any sort of refinement yet.

If we can raise the money to do this, then I will do it. The money I have right now I really need to get handouts made. I have been printing them off on my home printer and cutting them out by hand. I can't get a fraction of the quantity I need that way, and will be submitting my print job to the Oxford Orphanage on Monday.

I imagine the price via traditional means has come up slightly from the $2k target. I was looking at Google TV ads as a low-cost means of cable advertising, but I can't decipher how to target regionally that way. If we can, the price may be even less than you thought. Let's talk about how to raise $3000 from the District and surrounding environs, and if we can come up with a good plan to do that, then I say we do this.

Glen

You will note that I said we should do it, if we can raise the funds to do it locally. What I'm looking for from you wonderful patriots, is advice on what I should say, and help compressing what I am trying to say into 30 seconds....

You guys are crazy creative, and this could be a big big thing...

:D

[Jordan]

Pick three issues and make them bullet points like this Dan Coats ad:

YouTube - Dan Coats Campaign Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMW82GtLUWQ&playnext=1&videos=CTZeFBvbl30&feature=mfu_in_order)

Reduce spending
Create Jobs
Return to the Constitution

I'm Glen Bradley candidate for X and I'd really appreciate your vote on XXX.

[Matt Collins]

I think that direct mail would be a better use of your money. Although shooting it for nearly free (as long as it actually looks professional) and putting it on the web can't hurt you!

[GunnyFreedom]

I think that direct mail would be a better use of your money. Although shooting it for nearly free (as long as it actually looks professional) and putting it on the web can't hurt you!

You may not have actually read what I told him about the funding. Not giving up the direct mail campaign. I told him if we wanted to do it, then we'll have to specifically raise the funds to do it from right here at home. If he gets the funds to do it, then what's my loss? Certainly not any money, as I wouldn't have had that money in the first place, and I am certainly not going to be spending from what we've raised - that money's already allocated.

So it's not a question of TV ad or direct mail, it's a question of TV ad or nothing. I'll be doing a direct mail anyway. :D

[GunnyFreedom]

Pick three issues and make them bullet points like this Dan Coats ad:

YouTube - Dan Coats Campaign Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMW82GtLUWQ&playnext=1&videos=CTZeFBvbl30&feature=mfu_in_order)

Reduce spending
Create Jobs
Return to the Constitution

I'm Glen Bradley candidate for X and I'd really appreciate your vote on XXX.

That's not bad at all... thanks!

[Rifleman]

Any idea of the price range?

[Aratus]

gunny... this is GREAT!

[Imperial]

I think the biggest thing you need to focus on in this ad is a type of min-bio. Considering you are a first-time candidate, your name recognition is probably not the greatest. A simple ad talking about how you are a former Marine and American citizen with a working-class job who wants to throw the big-spending career politicians out of Raleigh and Washington and return to the Constitution should suffice.

[james1906]

I am Glen Bradley, and I approved this message.

Is this required for state races in NC?

[jacque]

Is this required for state races in NC?

Yes it is. The SBOE has there rules, you know!

[GunnyFreedom]

Any idea of the price range?

Franklin County is in the Durham cable market - a premium market -
Prime time Fox News 30sec slot is $25/showing
lesser programs and timeslots down to $9/showing

The market I am more interested in, Roanoke Rapids, we are waiting on pricing but it will be significantly less. 15/5 or even 10/5

[TCE]

I like the mini-Bio Ad idea. Right now, people are voting for you because you're a Republican and/or not John May. If they get to know you as a person, you'll get that portion of the vote, too. Don't even mention John May and I wouldn't go negative at all, you don't have to. Talk about two or three popular things you want to do and combine that with a bit of your life story. Have fun with it, the more fun you have, the better it'll turn out. Your job is to NOTE look like a career politician.

[Kludge]

Yeah - whatever you do, don't mention your opponent in a relatively low-profile race. I think most of the effect will be in the "acting," not the words. Many politicians' ads I've seen make them look like assholes because they over-dramatize to extremes - to such an extent where it's impossible to take them seriously. They lean very heavily on words and it sounds very unnatural. I can't imagine anything more important in an ad than fluid, rhythmic speaking and imagery which convey your message, but not something over-the-top like the John Dennis ad.

[nayjevin]

Yeah - whatever you do, don't mention your opponent in a relatively low-profile race. I think most of the effect will be in the "acting," not the words. Many politicians' ads I've seen make them look like assholes because they over-dramatize to extremes - to such an extent where it's impossible to take them seriously. They lean very heavily on words and it sounds very unnatural. I can't imagine anything more important in an ad than fluid, rhythmic speaking and imagery which convey your message, but not something over-the-top like the John Dennis ad.

These are very good suggestions - but I wonder whether you may be like me in that, I view commercials differently than Joe voter. I've seen that I am not the guy to ask 'what would be popular' in many situations because what I like doesn't necessarily sell well.

What I would *think* people would like is Robin Williams in Man of the Year... and people like the idea, but somehow the numbers don't jive when it comes to the voting box and political marketing.

I do say, be yourself - not the script. And honesty is refreshing.

[Kludge]

These are very good suggestions - but I wonder whether you may be like me in that, I view commercials differently than Joe voter. I've seen that I am not the guy to ask 'what would be popular' in many situations because what I like doesn't necessarily sell well.

What I would *think* people would like is Robin Williams in Man of the Year... and people like the idea, but somehow the numbers don't jive when it comes to the voting box and political marketing.

I do say, be yourself - not the script. And honesty is refreshing.

Maybe. If an ad were targeted to me, I would want a comprehensive list of the positions of Bradley and May, and then end the ad with a link to somewhere where I can find this comprehensive list. I don't think many would appreciate that.

Authenticity, I hear, is the greatest marketing tool available right now given how fed up many are (esp. young folks) with the typical disingenuous corporate "charity" and "diversity" schemes. I think comedians like Jon Stewart reach an extremely large audience (myself included even though I often disagree with his points) is because they are authentic in their criticisms and their character shines through in their satire. Stewart's made mention of this a few times in "serious" interviews, and I think it really works for him.


But I am not in marketing, and this is probably a thread which demands an expert to tell Bradley what sells, and I think it'd be interesting for us to learn from, too.

[nayjevin]

Maybe. If an ad were targeted to me, I would want a comprehensive list of the positions of Bradley and May, and then end the ad with a link to somewhere where I can find this comprehensive list. I don't think many would appreciate that.

This made me realize that I have too much of the 'do I like this guy on the outside' in my own thinking. Upon reflection, how one makes critical decisions seems the only relevant thing. Ironically, the statesman I would admire most would benefit from other qualities. In the world I know, holding office would be a matter of continually explaining ("...with a suitable degree of aplumb." as Dennis Miller put it) why no coercive action was necessary. When the coercion ceases, I might kick back.


Authenticity, I hear, is the greatest marketing tool available right now given how fed up many are (esp. young folks) with the typical disingenuous corporate "charity" and "diversity" schemes.

I agree with this, it's what my 'heart' tells me, like a zit on the side of Chris' face on Family Guy.


I think comedians like Jon Stewart reach an extremely large audience (myself included even though I often disagree with his points) is because they are authentic in their criticisms and their character shines through in their satire. Stewart's made mention of this a few times in "serious" interviews, and I think it really works for him.

As the shroud of mystery surrounding the Kludge seems to work for you :D


But I am not in marketing, and this is probably a thread which demands an expert to tell Bradley what sells, and I think it'd be interesting for us to learn from, too.

Oh yeah, that's the ticket. Right down to the hair-helmet.

I would like to see less choreographers and more indie art, of course, though an orchestra is something.

About Glen Bradley... is that one n or two?

[Kludge]

About Glen Bradley... is that one n or two?

One "n." :)

[GunnyFreedom]

We are looking at a sort 'who I am what I'm about' with bullet points hitting the screen to punctuate the thought.

current thinking:


Hello, I am Glen Bradley, running for State House. a US Marine, self employed since 98, and I pledged an oath to • honor and defend the Constitution.

Fixing State law back to the Constitution will restore • job growth and heal the • economy.

It will draw stable business and industry; regenerate entrepreneurship, and restore • civil progress.

That means more jobs, • less debt, and more wealth • for everyone.

vote Glen Bradley for NC State House to restore the Constitution •.
-
I am Glen Bradley, and I hereby insert the obligatory McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act messaging and time-sink.
video framing:

intro melt from Corps pic into a live round table discussion

• Graphic bullet: HONOR
• Graphic bullet: JOB GROWTH
• Graphic bullet: GOOD ECONOMY
• Graphic bullet: SOCIAL PROGRESS
• Graphic bullet: LOWER DEBTS
• Graphic bullet: MORE PROSPERITY
-> brush in "We The People"
• Graphic bullet: THE CONSTITUTION

footer fade into graphic: Glen Bradley for NC State House 2010 (over) waving NC State Flag

[GunnyFreedom]

Rates for Roanoke Rapids area, $5/spot primetime Fox News. Most expensive is $10/spot ESPN and there are several in the lowest at $1/spot. Looking at media market coverage areas...

We can probably do something but the district is split into 3 media markets, and the two precincts we want the worst are in 2 different media markets, and the two more expensive of the 3...

[Seraphim]

Pick three issues and make them bullet points like this Dan Coats ad:

YouTube - Dan Coats Campaign Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMW82GtLUWQ&playnext=1&videos=CTZeFBvbl30&feature=mfu_in_order)

Reduce spending
Create Jobs
Return to the Constitution

I'm Glen Bradley candidate for X and I'd really appreciate your vote on XXX.

If I can make a suggestion:

About "Creating Jobs"...

I think people aer sick of hearing politicians and would be politicians say they will actively do something- cuz everyone knows it is usually empty lies.

I would word it such as:

"I would like to lower taxes and get out of the way of emerging businesses and let them do what they do best: Serve, produce and create jobs."

[GunnyFreedom]

If I can make a suggestion:

About "Creating Jobs"...

I think people aer sick of hearing politicians and would be politicians say they will actively do something- cuz everyone knows it is usually empty lies.

I would word it such as:

"I would like to lower taxes and get out of the way of emerging businesses and let them do what they do best: Serve, produce and create jobs."

yeah, i know, i made that mistake too. :( people's eyes glaze over halfway through the sentence. I do it way better than bullets on the canvass, but a bulk mail piece needs to be even cleaner - it will be read from the mailbox to the trashcan.

And the government CAN do something to create jobs: it can get the hell out of the way. I'd bet my life and my house on the fact that if we just took gov't out of the way then jobs would come back. and it wouldn't take very long either.

Well HOW are you going to get the government out of the way? lowering taxes and regulatory burdens. etc.

At a door you have 7 seconds to make an impression good enough to make them want to listen to you. "I will work to bring back jobs" and if he wants to know more "and here is how."

On a bulk mailer if I could get away with:

"Glen Bradley + State House = More Jobs"

I would do it, I kid you not. More often than not if you go further into it than the other guy wants to go, then they just get confused and you just get frustrated - which doesn't help either one.

That's why I'm putting bullets in extra black font and the detail text in a light face. I you don't want to look any deeper, you don't have to. If you DO want to look deeper, it's all there for you.

ETA: OOPS wrong thread, this is not about the mailer but the TV ad...

"I will work to create jobs by getting big government out of the way."

?