The YouTube Ron Paul Blimp - YRPB!!!

[Elijah]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE - www.RonPaulBlimp.com

Update - Newer updated thead - http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?t=39343

Update - Waiting on pricing from http://66.39.116.220/cgi-bin/frame?CorpShip (RAGGE & WILLOW, Corporate Thermal Airships) - 135 feet by 52 feet and it illuminates at night time. Goes 25 mph and you can pack it up because it uses hot air.


Ok, this was started in another thread and got buried with other ideas so I decided to pull it out from under the pile. We need stuff that is VIRAL. VIRAL. VIRAL. The media will not cover it if it's not. This was not my idea. I am not taking credit for it. I will get the right name in a bit.


What do you think about getting a chip in for a YouTube Ron Paul Blimp/YRPB?

It would cost about $250,000 per month. Do not know if that includes the pilot. Do not know if that is mon-fri 8-5. But surely we could find a Ron Paul blimp driver.


This would be so VIRAL you don't even know! If you are reading this and you are a wealthy person and are looking for a way to help the movement then please hear me out.

I originally found Ron Paul by one thing and one thing only. VIDEOS. If you can get someone to just watch one video of him they are either sold or they are retarded. If we can get millions to just watch one YouTube video then we are very successful. It costs a $1 to get someone to click on a Google Ad these days for top keywords and depending on the keyword but $1 seems about ballpark. For $250,000/ month you could get millions of Americans to watch just one YouTube video. That would lead to many more and hence the VIRALNESS of the concept. And also much cheaper than web advertising.

Ok, so now if you are sold on the idea and got through my scatteredness. Start mining companies and ideas for the blimp. Aviation laws etc. Please keep this thread solely dedicated to just the YouTube Ron Paul blimp.

NOTE - There is a high def blimp out there that will play videos. Can we just play YouTube videos on it? Can we have sound? What are the rules on this? edit- http://www.lightships.com/ Update - This has a 12 month minimum contract and is 350K/month! Plus setup fees and has a long wait time until completion.

ALTERNATIVE - The Google Ron Paul Blimp or the GRPB.
SOURCE: http://spot.colorado.edu/~dziadeck/airship/faq.htm

[libertythor]

bump Sounds good, a PAC will be needed though.

[ValidusCustodiae]

bump, this is an awesome idea. fly one over the superbowl.

[RonPaulCult]

I bet this would cost millions not 250k

[Elijah]

I bet this would cost millions not 250k

According to my source it says

How much does it cost to rent a blimp?

It varies depending upon the size of the ship, but expect around US$175,000/mo for a small (130 ft.) ship.


It does say it would cost 2 million to build one.

Not sure about the illuminated high def video blimp.

[Starks]

Ouch... That's an assload of money.

[Elijah]

bump Sounds good, a PAC will be needed though.

Is this different than the USA Today ad? Did the USA Today ad need a PAC?

I'm new to politics.

[Elijah]

Here is the Light Sign Blimp.

http://www.lightships.com/

Thank Voltmoie for the link! (and idea?)

[Man from La Mancha]

Maybe some one can get the owner of the blimp turned on to Ron Paul.
Also if someone rich enough financed or bought one, it would pay for it's self as a side business while promoting Ron.

.

[ClayTrainor]

wasnt there a guy with $100k to spare asking us where to spend his money for ron paul?

i think we just found a good solution for him!

[Chester Copperpot]

bump, this is an awesome idea. fly one over the superbowl.

ANYTHING DURING THE SUPERBOWL WOULD BE GREAT

[dircha]

I don't get what a "YouTube" Ron Paul Blimp or a "Google" on Paul Blimp are.

Do YouTube and Google rent blimps? What's the tie in that say it is a "YouTube" Ron Paul Blimp, instead of just "Ron Paul Blimp"?

[TruckinMike]

You can spend $250,000 on a cessna 172 rigged with the digital sign including a pilot to fly it around for one year. Then sell the plane and get almost 1/2 of your money back.

125,000 for the plane, 125,000 for the pilot. Its an approximation...

Just imagine, before every meetup whiz bang function... 3 days prior to the event the plane could be buzzin' around promoting.

If it made 50 (3) day functions -- the retail cost would be around $300,000. But after the campaign you could sell the plane and get $100,000 back. net expenditure 250,000 - 100,000= $150, 000 for $300,000 worth of advertisement.

In fact a PAC could own the plane and continue to use it to help Ron Paul republicans win congressional seats!!

Truckinmike

[Elijah]

I don't get what a "YouTube" Ron Paul Blimp or a "Google" on Paul Blimp are.

Do YouTube and Google rent blimps? What's the tie in that say it is a "YouTube" Ron Paul Blimp, instead of just "Ron Paul Blimp"?


It is a blimp with huge words on it saying "Youtube Ron Paul". Using those three words is all we need, once a person does their own research they will have made up their minds.

It is suggesting someone use their surfing hours at work to go to you tube and watch a video.

[Elijah]

You can spend $250,000 on a cessna 172 rigged with the digital sign including a pilot to fly it around for one year. Then sell the plane and get almost 1/2 of your money back.

125,000 for the plane, 125,000 for the pilot. Its an approximation...

Just imagine, before every meetup whiz bang function... 3 days prior to the event the plane could be buzzin' around promoting.

If it made 50 (3) day functions -- the retail cost would be around $300,000. But after the campaign you could sell the plane and get $100,000 back. net expenditure 250,000 - 100,000= $150, 000 for $300,000 worth of advertisement.

In fact a PAC could own the plane and continue to use it to help Ron Paul republicans win congressional seats!!

Truckinmike

I like that idea to but do you think it would be as Viral?

[RonPaulStreetTeam]

It is a blimp with huge words on it saying "Youtube Ron Paul".

It is suggesting someone use their surfing hours at work to go to you tube and watch a video.

which is pretty bad considering how many people dont have internet.
and how about the people that do youtube ron paul and come across a barrage of attack videos and poorly created videos from amature users that do not get the point across. Or videos of random fools babbling on about why they support Ron Paul. I have seen some pretty bad ones out there that we can only hope newcommers see.

Which is why I NEVER say "google ron paul" or "youtube Ron Pal"
that is hwy I created my site and this page.

I send Youtube and google to them. To ensure the best results and a for sure conversion.
http://ronpaulstreetteam.com/video.html

[margomaps]

I say we buy a bunch of horses, learn how to ride them, and then ride through residential neighborhoods with a megaphone, shouting: "The neocons are coming! The socialists are coming! Vote for Ron Paul to save our country!"

[Menthol Patch]

This is the best idea I've heard of in weeks!

We need to all get behind this idea!

[Elijah]

which is pretty bad considering how many people dont have internet.
and how about the people that do youtube ron paul and come across a barrage of attack videos and poorly created videos from amature users that do not get the point across. Or videos of random fools babbling on about why they support Ron Paul. I have seen some pretty bad ones out there that we can only hope newcommers see.

Which is why I NEVER say "google ron paul" or "youtube Ron Pal"
that is hwy I created my site and this page.

I send Youtube and google to them. To ensure the best results and a for sure conversion.
http://ronpaulstreetteam.com/video.html


When I go to youtube.com and type in ron paul i get this. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ron+paul&search=Search

There are 20 videos on that search page and all are positive. They all have 4.5 stars as well. If you can get someone to watch videos on that page they will be hooked. That is what happened to me. Just a few weeks ago I saw my first one and I went canvas walking yesterday for the first time ever and I am a political virgin. This all happened because three weeks ago I saw my first Youtube video of Ron Paul.

[AlexMerced]

how about people going to the super bowl buy those tv's harnesses you walk around new york w ith with videos playing while you watch the game.

[RonPaulStreetTeam]

You can spend $250,000 on a cessna 172 rigged with the digital sign including a pilot to fly it around for one year. Then sell the plane and get almost 1/2 of your money back.

125,000 for the plane, 125,000 for the pilot. Its an approximation...

Just imagine, before every meetup whiz bang function... 3 days prior to the event the plane could be buzzin' around promoting.

If it made 50 (3) day functions -- the retail cost would be around $300,000. But after the campaign you could sell the plane and get $100,000 back. net expenditure 250,000 - 100,000= $150, 000 for $300,000 worth of advertisement.

In fact a PAC could own the plane and continue to use it to help Ron Paul republicans win congressional seats!!

Truckinmike
much better idea as for cost and effectiveness.
A lot more bang for buck!

[Menthol Patch]

People don't realize the blimp could show a youtube video of Ron Paul on the side!

[Elijah]

how about people going to the super bowl buy those tv's harnesses you walk around new york w ith with videos playing while you watch the game.

That is a slick idea to!! That reminds of the groups who synchronize their watches and listen to a mp3. They all go to a public place and are all listening to the same instructions..

For instance, you pack a place with RP supporters and it says , ok , start talking about (insert issue) here. Then it says stop. Then a few minutes later it says (start talking about how ron paul can take care of that if he is elected president.

I forget what its called. BUt anyways.

The TV idea is cool because you could do that with those to. Like all play the same clips at the same time with synchronized watches and mp3 directions!

[Elijah]

Glad to see my blimp idea take hold. I don't think you need to buy one, just rent it.

Most people under 30 don't know what You Tube is but you could display messages like:

Ron Paul for President
Vote Ron Paul
www.RonPaul2008.com
Who is Ron Paul?
Ron Paul = Liberty

I'd like to see one flown around Iowa, NH, or SC. Willing to work with someone who wants to set up a PAC and raise funding.

If it you were to fly it to smaller towns, alert local media before the trip, I am sure you'd get coverage. It would not work in NYC but Greenville, SC would eat it up.

Nice to see you in the thread!! I contacted the Lighted Blimp company and from what I read they are under a million (or the tv panel is) and take 8 weeks to make. So renting one would be a possibility but I will see what they say. I told them to get back to me ASAP.

The PR and viralness of a blimp would be MASSIVE!!! It can just go to all the most important states at the time. I believe a blimp can travel about 75-100 mph (line of sight)

I would love to see how much to rent a video display one, that would be ideal because of the changeability of it.

Thanks for the idea again Voltmoie!! That was a good one! I hope it gets popular!

[michaelwise]

What would an ad on the Super Bowl blimp cost?

[Menthol Patch]

This is a fantastic idea.

I defiantly think we need a video blimp! Seeing VIDEO in the sky would really get people's attention.

By the way, are two hot air balloons allowed to carry a huge banner?

[max]

this would need a PAC because unlike the USA Today..its not just one person..

the person handling this would have to keep a record of all donors....

If we could get this up and running it would be awesome PR.....We need a wesbite for this and to promote it like the Tea party

[Elijah]

This is a fantastic idea.

I defiantly think we need a video blimp! Seeing VIDEO in the sky would really get people's attention.

By the way, are two hot air balloons allowed to carry a huge banner?

I'm not sure but here in Littleton Colorado the hot air balloons need to come down early in the AM because of atmospheric pressure or something like that. They only fly early in the AM.

[Elijah]

this would need a PAC because unlike the USA Today..its not just one person..

the person handling this would have to keep a record of all donors....

If we could get this up and running it would be awesome PR.....We need a website for this and to promote it like the Tea party


Thanks so much for clarifying that. Anyone up for taking the whole bill? I have no clue on how to do a PAC. Political Virgin here.

Anybody up for starting a PAC? Any body up for heading the website.

Please clarify - So if a individual funds the whole thing we don't need a PAC but if we do a chipin then each individual will have a max donation, am I understanding this right?

[SwordOfShannarah]

Hope one of you guys registered the name: ronpaulblimp.com

:) well.. uh.. that's me! I threw this idea out there a while back. It was before we knew we had any power to raise funds so it never really took off then.

I wanted the blimp to have gps reporting so we could track it on the website, plot it on a live map or something.. and people could go drive to see it if they were near by. Could be a lot of fun!

If enough people want to do it I can start RonPaulBlimp.com up as another pledge site- sort of the same as we have now.. but this time I'll need to give options for the amount pledged, etc. We're not just going for as much $ as we can, we want to hit a certain goal. I need to start a PAC soon anyway and have started looking at guidelines for it.

Check out this image I made just sort of trying to imagine what it would look like, but it should probably read "RonPaul2008.com" on one side and "RonPaulBlimp.com" on the other.

http://www.freemp3mail.com/images/RonPaulBlimp_MySpaceBGND.jpg

[alien]

which is pretty bad considering how many people dont have internet.
and how about the people that do youtube ron paul and come across a barrage of attack videos and poorly created videos from amature users that do not get the point across. Or videos of random fools babbling on about why they support Ron Paul. I have seen some pretty bad ones out there that we can only hope newcommers see.

Which is why I NEVER say "google ron paul" or "youtube Ron Pal"
that is hwy I created my site and this page.

I send Youtube and google to them. To ensure the best results and a for sure conversion.
http://ronpaulstreetteam.com/video.html

But you're not going to reach all those people that the blimp would have. So now those are lost anyway. So there is nothing to lose.

[Menthol Patch]

That's awesome! Let's get that website hooked up and start the Chip In. I'd love to be in the "crew"

I think a website should be started for this project.

I think a blimp could be very effective!

[American]

Great idea, set something up we could get it out there for support.

[Korey Kaczynski]

There are way better investments.

[Menthol Patch]

What else could reach more people than a blimp?

[Man from La Mancha]

That blimp idea is very expensive, for a private individual that could use it later, that would makes sense as a business. The plane idea is the best. What good is a video if you can't hear the words, that is how it sells people on Ron.
Much cheaper are airplanes

Royson Parsons, executive director of the Cessna 150-152 Club, said he currently lists 300 Cessna 150s and 152s in the classified ads in his publications and on his Web site (www.cessna150-152club.com): The average price is $20,000. Our own research indicates that cream puff VFR-equipped 150s and 152s sell for about $24,000, while those equipped as IFR trainers go for $30,000. Buy a scrolling light banner for it and a towing banner. They are a lot of pilots out there who love Ron and would fly it for nothing or very cheapely. The pilots could just keep passing the plane around. At $250,000 and at $200 an hr or less one could hire a plane from any where just like they have for the foot ball games. Over 1100 hrs = 550 hundred appearances thru out the USA


http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3471/001bz2.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA)..http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9435/blackwsmallyh7.gif (teaparty07.com)..http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8947/brighton7gs5.gif (teaparty07.com)..copy,paste,linked to teaparty07.com , either one, only 1 million people at $100

[Grandson of Liberty]

bump, this is an awesome idea. fly one over the superbowl.

I can see it now. . .

Goodyear Blimp> Uh, I gotta bogey at 2 o'clock!

Producer> Can you get closer for a visual ID?

GYB> Roger that, standby. . .uh, looks like we've got a Ron Paul situation. . . I can't get tone. . .too close for missiles, going to guns!!

Prod> Launch the alert 5 aircraft!!!

Ron Paul blimp> Greetings! :p

GYB> What the . . .?

RPB> It's time to buzz the tower!

...........................

Couldn't resist. . .I'm a Top Gun geek. :cool:

[Menthol Patch]

That blimp idea is very expensive, for a private individual that could use it later, that would makes sense as a business. The plane idea is the best. What good is a video if you can't hear the words, that is how it sells people on Ron.
Much cheaper are airplanes
Buy a scrolling light banner for it and a towing banner. They are a lot of pilots out there who love Ron and would fly it for nothing or very cheapely. The pilots could just keep passing the plane around. At $250,000 and at $200 an hr or less one could hire a plane from any where just like they have for the foot ball games. Over 1100 hrs = 550 hundred appearances thru out the USA


http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3471/001bz2.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA)..http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9435/blackwsmallyh7.gif (teaparty07.com)..http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8947/brighton7gs5.gif (teaparty07.com)..copy,paste,linked to teaparty07.com , either one, only 1 million people at $100

The thing is that a blimp would get us some free publicity too. I don't think many candidates have used a blimp before to gain political support.

[Elijah]

It's all about the viralness. Anyways, the avg cost of a small blimp is 175k for a month, I added 75k for a buffer for a crew, pilot, sign, artwork, etc.

http://66.39.116.220/cgi-bin/frame?CorpShip
RAGGE & WILLOW, USA
P.O. Box 370
First and Lincoln Streets
Bovard, Pennsylvania 15619-0370
Telephone: (724) 836-4777
FAX: (724) 836-3703

These have an internal lighting system and work at night time!!

These are hot air and not helium.


The key to a blimp is VIRAL. Everyone would talk about it! The VIRALNESS would get way more publicity than we would save in money. Even for a chip-in. Would a plane chipin get more publicity or a blimp?!

If something is successfully VIRAL, such as November 5th was, then mission is accomplished. You cannot buy that kind of publicity.

[Elijah]

I can see it now. . .

Goodyear Blimp> Uh, I gotta bogey at 2 o'clock!

Producer> Can you get closer for a visual ID?

GYB> Roger that, standby. . .uh, looks like we've got a Ron Paul situation. . . I can't get tone. . .too close for missiles, going to guns!!

Prod> Launch the alert 5 aircraft!!!

Ron Paul blimp> Greetings! :p

GYB> What the . . .?

RPB> It's time to buzz the tower!

...........................

Couldn't resist. . .I'm a Top Gun geek. :cool:

That is AWESOME!

[Benaiah]

It's all about the viralness. Anyways, the avg cost of a small blimp is 175k for a month, I added 75k for a buffer for a crew, pilot, sign, artwork, etc.

http://66.39.116.220/cgi-bin/frame?CorpShip
RAGGE & WILLOW, USA
P.O. Box 370
First and Lincoln Streets
Bovard, Pennsylvania 15619-0370
Telephone: (724) 836-4777
FAX: (724) 836-3703

These have an internal lighting system and work at night time!!

These are hot air and not helium.


The key to a blimp is VIRAL. Everyone would talk about it! The VIRALNESS would get way more publicity than we would save in money. Even for a chip-in. Would a plane chipin get more publicity or a blimp?!

If something is successfully VIRAL, such as November 5th was, then mission is accomplished. You cannot buy that kind of publicity.

I agree


Maybe we could have it fly across Interstate 40 or some other highway.... by 40 I mean, the whole stinking way-- all the way across the country. If it took this route not only would MILLIONS of cars see it, but it would pass through like 20 major US cities.

[SwordOfShannarah]

Yes it would most definitely be viral and would generate a ton of free publicity. No other president in history has had their own blimp and the fact that it would be grassroots would make it such a cool gimmick everyone would want the story. We might get millions in free publicity.

I can get something up within a day or two if I can just use feedburner again. I guess I won't be able to ask how much people will donate, but if we consider $100 each we'll need about 2,000 subscribers or so. Some will donate more and some less. It doesn't need to be exact. I'll set up a PAC before collecting money. Once we do the donation "bomb" for this I'll send out to everyone what we raised and if we need more fine (we'll just keep going), if not excellent.

We can promote it exactly like we do the other events, just spread banners around on blogs, etc.

The really good news is when I call press about the upcoming TeaParty07.com event I can tell them about this event as well. So we can start getting MSM attention before this thing gets off the ground.

I'll report back with more..

[SwordOfShannarah]

Great work! It's my understanding you can collect money while you are applying for the PAC. Maybe set up a "chip in" just to get it started?

Looking forward to seeing the site!

Yes I think you're right. The chip-in would be better than email pledges. I'll have that ready shortly.

I'll also offer an email list for people who want news/updates on progress, etc.

[SwordOfShannarah]

Great work! It's my understanding you can collect money while you are applying for the PAC. Maybe set up a "chip in" just to get it started?

Looking forward to seeing the site!

Actually now that I think about it I'm not sure how many people will want to start donating towards a $200,000 goal if they aren't sure others will donate.

I'm going to start this by asking for pledges. Maybe I'll put 4 different feedburner pledges up in a row- each for a different amount.

$25
$50
$100
$200+

and when we get close to the amount in pledges I'll start the chipin.

[Primbs]

The local news will eat it up. The free publicity will be worth millions. People will pay thousands for a ride in the blimp. You can target by city and state. You can travel from state to state along the highway system for all the truckers to see.

[Primbs]

Here are some resources.

http://manchestertimes.micromediapubs.com/news/2007/0731/Front_Page/070.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjjxpJd3PU

[Bertrand]

This is a terrible idea. Quite a waste of money. We all need to be going door to door and getting the (future) vote out. That's how you win elections. And I guarantee you convert far more people that way.

Enough with these silly ideas.

[Menthol Patch]

I still think this is a great idea.

Just imagine the news stories about how Ron Paul's supporters worked together to get a blimp!

[Mark Rushmore]

I still think this is a great idea.

Just imagine the news stories about how Ron Paul's supporters worked together to get a blimp!

Come next November, I'd rather have Ron Paul in the White House than a pile of exciting news clippings - as such, votes trump headlines. Headlines are only useful to that end. Dec. 16th should be the final straw in name recognition - from now on it seems more important to get his actual message into the public eye. If December 16th fails in this regard, then IMHO no other stunt is going to suffice. I don't mean to be critical of the idea itself, just echoing the poster who said the money would be better spent in a direct get-out-the-message effort.

[Elijah]

Just got word on the video blimp this afternoon.


The A-170 Video Lightsign is available on a minimum 12 month lease basis, fully turnkey, at $350,000 per month, plus $110,000 for full wrap artwork, and optional broadcast cameras at $50,000 per month.



4-6 month lead time.

Maybe a standard hot air blimp would be most economical. This would be so Viral it would be impossible to ignore!! Impossible to ignore!!!

[SwordOfShannarah]

ok- I've got something quick and simple up. It's just for us for now- people who know the plan. I still need to work on a description and more.. but you can pledge if you want to. :)

http://www.RonPaulBlimp.com

[Elijah]

Here are some resources.

http://manchestertimes.micromediapubs.com/news/2007/0731/Front_Page/070.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjjxpJd3PU


Thanks for grabbing those links for us. The first media story confirms the Viralness of it. The second video rocked too! We need to convert that guy to Ron Paul and sell him the idea!!

[Elijah]

ok- I've got something quick and simple up. It's just for us for now- people who know the plan. I still need to work on a description and more.. but you can pledge if you want to. :)

http://www.RonPaulBlimp.com

You rock Man!!! I just put the link in the original post!! Also gave a shout out at Ron Paul Radio!!

I pledged $100!

[adpierce]

Donating money does not preclude us from normal campaign activities. Making phone calls, knocking on doors, or waving signs. It’s what has separated us from other grassroots campaigns. We put our money where our mouth is – and our actions speak WAY louder than our words.

It’s my opinion the single biggest thing standing in our way is name recognition – a blimp is just another way to get noticed in a BIG way.

the question is whether this is a better way to spend money than simply donating it to the campaign. If you're maxed out fine, donate to a PAC but if you can I think you should hold out to Dec 16 and keep the Tea Party Bomb as large as possible. But if we can make a go of this using people who are already maxed out then fine do it! More PR the better.

[Elijah]

the question is whether this is a better way to spend money than simply donating it to the campaign. If you're maxed out fine, donate to a PAC but if you can I think you should hold out to Dec 16 and keep the Tea Party Bomb as large as possible. But if we can make a go of this using people who are already maxed out then fine do it! More PR the better.


Oh definitely!! I am spending every penny I have left on the 16th!!! Not much but everything I got.

We need a heavy lifter to step up!! A couple of them to take this on!

[jake]

how about people that donate to the campaign, say $250.00 (or whatever amount) get a ride in the blimp as it tours around the country? ;)

[forronpaulicy]

You guys have the right idea but even with the airplane thing it's still too expensive. Why not come up with a plan to get the message in the air for $15,000
or maybe even half that?

I'm talking about powered parachutes. You've probably seen one at some time or other. Most are classified as ultralights so they don't even require a pilot's license to operate.

Here are some pictures of wings with writing on them.

http://i4.tinypic.com/8gg8z8o.jpghttp://i13.tinypic.com/8b5rqkk.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/852onja.jpghttp://i4.tinypic.com/71vqclf.gif


This article is a bit old and I think with the new sport pilot category that has been created some of these issues may be quite different now days. (http://www.americanparagliding.com/wingart.htm)

PPCs (the kind with 3 wheels and a seat) go for $10-15,000. Powered Paragliders (the kind you strap to your back) are much less (they also have a much smaller parachute/billboard).

Here's a site with a bunch of links (http://www.thirtythousandfeet.com/ppc.htm) in case you want to do some more reading on these. Also check out http://www.powerchutes.com as it's kind of the hub of the community.

Does anyone feel like making a mockup of what a Ron Paul model could look like?

[SwordOfShannarah]

It's about leveraging the media. That's why it is worth it. The cost is about $200,000 but the media generated will be millions and millions, and the thought of the blimp will be more powerful than the money we raised. It's a marketing gimmick that will capture mindshare and get people to look into Ron Paul. That is donating to the campaign.

[Elijah]

You guys have the right idea but even with the airplane thing it's still too expensive. Why not come up with a plan to get the message in the air for $15,000
or maybe even half that?

I'm talking about powered parachutes. You've probably seen one at some time or other. Most are classified as ultralights so they don't even require a pilot's license to operate.

Here are some pictures of wings with writing on them.

http://i4.tinypic.com/8gg8z8o.jpghttp://i13.tinypic.com/8b5rqkk.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/852onja.jpghttp://i4.tinypic.com/71vqclf.gif


This article is a bit old and I think with the new sport pilot category that has been created some of these issues may be quite different now days. (http://www.americanparagliding.com/wingart.htm)

PPCs (the kind with 3 wheels and a seat) go for $10-15,000. Powered Paragliders (the kind you strap to your back) are much less (they also have a much smaller parachute/billboard).

Here's a site with a bunch of links (http://www.thirtythousandfeet.com/ppc.htm) in case you want to do some more reading on these. Also check out http://www.powerchutes.com as it's kind of the hub of the community.

Does anyone feel like making a mockup of what a Ron Paul model could look like?

A Powered parachute has been on my list for 2 years now. They are claimed to be the safest method of flying!!

I hope a Gabillionaire in America has some money to shed!! This will be huge! Plus all the mini blimps around the nation if everyone wanted to get the 30 foot remote control ones too!!

[Primbs]

There are some small private blimps out there. The trick is to find their websites.

[DealzOnWheelz]

The only people who should even consider donating to the blimp idea should be people who have maxed out.

But personally not to knock anyones idea; but I think this idea is too much money. The only people it will get to are the ones that see it and the media hates Ron Paul so all they would have to do is cover it for like 15 seconds and move on.

Then the people it does get to would have to then go and look up ron paul and then read stuff about him and watch videos.

A better idea would be EVERYONE GET OFF YOUR DAMN COMPUTERS AND CANVASS.

Make a goal to hand out 200 slimjims a day you can do it I handed out like 2000 in 2 days(@4 hours/day)

Not to mention it's FREE

[SwordOfShannarah]

So the people who don't want to do it don't do it- and the people who want to do it do it! Let's give this a chance before coming down on it. Let's just see if people will make the pledges first.

[McDermit]

Come next November, I'd rather have Ron Paul in the White House than a pile of exciting news clippings - as such, votes trump headlines. Headlines are only useful to that end. Dec. 16th should be the final straw in name recognition - from now on it seems more important to get his actual message into the public eye. If December 16th fails in this regard, then IMHO no other stunt is going to suffice. I don't mean to be critical of the idea itself, just echoing the poster who said the money would be better spent in a direct get-out-the-message effort.

agreed.

[LBT]

If blimps were such a better advertising strategy than the many many others the sky would be full of them.

On the blitzing Youtube idea, it seems to me it would be against terms of service.

We should seek to create events or videos that become viral due to their popularity.

I'd prefer to see campaigns where video makers win $5k or $10k for videos on various themes. That little bit of incentive will bring even more good video editors into the campaign.

[hillertexas]

It's about leveraging the media. That's why it is worth it. The cost is about $200,000 but the media generated will be millions and millions, and the thought of the blimp will be more powerful than the money we raised. It's a marketing gimmick that will capture mindshare and get people to look into Ron Paul. That is donating to the campaign.

agreed

[leipo]

I like the blimp idea, but please don't use a slogan like "Youtube Ron Paul" or "Google Ron Paul". Most people don't even know what companies they are and what their purpose is.
"Research Ron Paul" or "Ignore Ron Paul" would be far more effective in my opinion.

[bulloncoins]

The only people who should even consider donating to the blimp idea should be people who have maxed out.

But personally not to knock anyones idea; but I think this idea is too much money. The only people it will get to are the ones that see it and the media hates Ron Paul so all they would have to do is cover it for like 15 seconds and move on.

Then the people it does get to would have to then go and look up ron paul and then read stuff about him and watch videos.

A better idea would be EVERYONE GET OFF YOUR DAMN COMPUTERS AND CANVASS.

Make a goal to hand out 200 slimjims a day you can do it I handed out like 2000 in 2 days(@4 hours/day)

Not to mention it's FREE



I have handed out slim jims since May. I have waived signs, painted my car, and given till it hurts.

Along the way I realized that what made this campaign special was how people came together from all different backgrounds to unite for Dr. Paul and his cause, our cause, our hope.

Please don't dictate to others. If you don't support what they are working on, fine, go do your own thing or find a group that thinks exactly like you do and work with them to get Ron Paul elected.

The idea reaches out to some people on a whole other level you may never understand. Let people put their resources where they wish as long as they all work for the same goal, and stop putting limitations on what this growing group can accomplish.

We have to make our own magic.

[SwordOfShannarah]

I like the blimp idea, but please don't use a slogan like "Youtube Ron Paul" or "Google Ron Paul". Most people don't even know what companies they are and what their purpose is.
"Research Ron Paul" or "Ignore Ron Paul" would be far more effective in my opinion.

Right- or maybe "Ron Paul Sucks" or "Down with America" LOL- I'm just joking with you. But truthfully I think "opposite marketing" has had it's play with the "don't click here" craze from about a decade ago.

Personally I'd like one side to say "RonPaul2008.com" and the other to say "RonPaulBlimp.com". That way people know where to go to learn about Ron Paul and RonPaulBlimp.com gives it an anchor to give info (the GPS map) and make it more viral.

[spivey378]

could it land at places. like high school fields or something and people hand out slim jims and dvd's and make it an event


start in iowa--->SC--->NH

"guess where we'll be next..... go on ronpaulblimp.com"

[leipo]

Right- or maybe "Ron Paul Sucks" or "Down with America" LOL- I'm just joking with you. But truthfully I think "opposite marketing" has had it's play with the "don't click here" craze from about a decade ago.

Personally I'd like one side to say "RonPaul2008.com" and the other to say "RonPaulBlimp.com". That way people know where to go to learn about Ron Paul and RonPaulBlimp.com gives it an anchor to give info (the GPS map) and make it more viral.

The "opposite marketing" or reverse psychology is not for online purposes but for the real world. You have to understand that a lot of people, like myself, ignore all advertisements since they are bombarded with them from all sides every single day of the week. These people don't respond to regular advertisements, they ignore them. Only advertisements with a contradictionary message will intrigue them.

[FluxCapacitor]

I agree, it should say "Ron Paul for President", and RonPaulBlimp.com.

RonPaulBlimp.com would then be a portal with all sorts of useful information: Embedded video, explanations of the importance of following the Constitution, "click to donate at RonPaul2008.com", and the like.

It's important that there be a google maps widget that shows where the blimp is flying, as well as a webcam on the blimp that shows a picture of the ground it's flying over every 20 seconds. I bet Ron Paul supporters will position themselves in the path of the blimp and unfurl large "Ron Paul for President signs on the ground to be photographed by the blimp's webcam.

[Primbs]

More info.

http://www.arizonaballoon.com/homepage.html
http://skycruisergroup.com/Startcomp.htm
http://skycruisergroup.com/Startcomp.htm

[mconder]

bump, this is an awesome idea. fly one over the superbowl.

I am pretty sure that in addition to the blimp cost you'd be paying a very hefty price for the airspace.