***RON PAUL UNCENSORED*** How the Ron Paul Blimp exposes a primary state to Ron Paul

[Mckarnin]

The Ron Paul Blimp cannot be censored (and it's very cool)!! That is why the blimp can generate press that cannot be generated through more traditional routes. The media in the markets we enter know that everyone in their city will see the blimp and that they will receive numerous phone calls about our presence from people on the ground. So, they figure they might as well get a piece of the action and cover us. In the last 8 days we have received the following attention/coverage on tv news:

Here is the coverage that we found online footage of.

Savannah, GA--WTOC 11
http://www.wtoctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7601674
http://wtoc.images.worldnow.com/images/static/hdr/hdr_branding.jpg

Myrtle Beach, SC--Media General News Service
http://www.mgwashington.com/index.php/news/article/gov-mark-sanford-and-the-ron-paul-blimp/229/
http://media.mgnetwork.com/wns/images/mg_newsservice_990x70_1.gif

Charleston, SC--Live 5 News
http://www.live5news.com/news/state/13739657.html
http://media.live5news.com/designimages/wcsc_header_121207.jpg

Greenville, SC--WYFF 4
http://www.wyff4.com/video/15071916/index.html (In the browse section to the right click on "Look, Up in the The Sky, It's Ron Paul's Blimp")
http://www.wyff4.com/images/structures/headers/site_header_logo.jpg

Here is the coverage that we received reports about supporters seeing but could not find online...if you have any of it YouTubed or online let us know.

Myrtle Beach, SC---WFXB/WBTW They sent a joint cameraman and reporter up with us the afternoon of the debate in Myrtle Beach and we heard that we made the evening news there (if anyone has this footage it would be great)
http://www.wfxb.com/images/banner.jpg
http://media.mgnetwork.com/scp/multimedia/WBTW_HeaderLibrary2.jpg

Myrtle Beach, SC--ABC WPDE 15
They sent a crew up in the blimp with us and filmed on the afternoon of the Myrtle Beach debate. We heard that we made the evening news there as well. In addition they have a follow up article (http://wpde.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=85069) about a game called "White House Joust" that the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce developed which "game involves maneuvering your favorite candidate's blimp to ram into the blimps of other contenders"
http://wpde.com/images/wpde/masthead.jpg

Charleston, SC--ABC News 4
http://www.acc-tv.com/images/wciv/elements/wciv_masthead.jpg
They filmed the blimp from the ground on 1/12/08 and featured us on the 11pm news that night (multiple supporters in South Carolina reported seeing this newscast). We received a call the next morning, Sunday the 13th from a reporter saying that they wanted to do a follow up story for the 6pm news. They came out to the blimp and filmed and supporters report our being on the 6pm news on the 13th in Charleston, SC.


This television coverage does not begin to represent the coverage we have received as we have also been featured in
newspapers, magazines and journals in our flight path, throughout the United States and the world.


We have been getting amazing coverage now that the Primaries have begun and are so pleased that the primaries are coming south (to better blimp weather). Now that the Ron Paul Blimp is covering primary states it is really hitting its stride. We plan to go to Florida for 10 days after the we finish in South Carolina with the primary on the 19th. Please help us meet our $100,000 goal by tomorrow so that we can be assured of enough flight time to hit Florida before its primary.

http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/images/main_02.png
www.RonPaulBlimp.com

We at the Ron Paul Blimp have all been busy, a good thing but it means that it's hard to take out time to keep everyone on the forums up to date. I think everyone in the Grassroots should be encouraged to see how much attention this initiative is getting. I know that I love seeing and hearing Ron Paul's name in the news.

For more information see our current calculated total media value: http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/MediaReportReference.php

Our media page:
http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/blog/archives/category/in-the-news

An excellent thread in this forum listing up to date print and broadcast media of the blimp:

[-lotus-]

Keep the blimp flying high!

[RobS]

cool!

[freedom-maniac]

Stick that to the naysayers.

[Todd]

It' going to have to keep getting funding to stay up. heard something about it's almost done and before Super Tuesday.:eek:

So we have to keep the donations up

[Mckarnin]

It' going to have to keep getting funding to stay up. heard something about it's almost done and before Super Tuesday.:eek:

So we have to keep the donations up


We need to reach $100,000 by tomorrow night to make a down payment on flight time that will take us through Super Tuesday!

http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/images/main_02.png (http://www.ronpaulblimp.com)

[rollingpig]

blimp!!!

[UtahApocalypse]

We need to reach $100,000 by tomorrow night to make a down payment on flight time that will take us through Super Tuesday!

http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/images/main_02.png (http://www.ronpaulblimp.com)

Would be nice to get these kind of update not just when you need to beg for money.

[tsetsefly]

blimp

[liberteebell]

Help keep the blimp flying! (hi k!)

[gb13]

Save The Blimp!!!

[crazyfacedjenkins]

haha, they always wait till the last second. They should be posting results all over the place all the time. That way people see their money being put to use immediately

[Mckarnin]

Would be nice to get these kind of update not just when you need to beg for money.

Utah,

I apologize, I really do. I started to underestimate the value of my/the Ron Paul Blimp remaining a presence on the Forum after some negative interactions. I realize that that was foolish.

We are organizing a rally on the ground in Sumter, SC (40 minutes from Columbia, SC) with Rand Paul, entertainment, media and the blimp for the 19th. We're working on press releases, fund raising. I am swamped and have been ever since a few weeks before the blimp took off...I, like the blimp am just hitting my stride and realizing what we need to do as far as communication goes. I took a little chunk of my morning to throw this up because it would just be a waste to see the blimp come down when this is the kind of media it is generating.

[ghemminger]

We need to get the word out what a value the BLIMP has been - this is a project that is worth keeping!!!!

[Mckarnin]

haha, they always wait till the last second. They should be posting results all over the place all the time. That way people see their money being put to use immediately


Again, sorry that this didn't go up sooner. Texas Liberty has been working hard posting information about the blimp's media value in the Ron Paul Blimp Folder and there have been ongoing discussions about the blimp in that folder. I realized this morning that the grassroots have a lot on their plates and do not have time to click into the Ron Paul Blimp site, find the media, click it and view so I decided to experiment with putting something more accessible directly into the forum.

Thanks for your patience. :-)

[Mckarnin]

Help keep the blimp flying! (hi k!)


Hi T!

[robert4rp08]

Go Blimp Go!

[JordanL]

bump!

[Trigonx]

bump, keep the blimp going, it is really helping.

[Exarel]

Go blimp go :)

[Mckarnin]

Go blimp go :)


Thanks for the encouragement!

[yongrel]

Just think... the money for the recount could have been used here.

[Mckarnin]

Just think... the money for the recount could have been used here.

It's just a shame that they didn't realize that PayPal would freeze them for bringing in that much money that fast. It's going to be a pain for them to get the account unfrozen. :-(

[Cimbri]

Just got some air on Hardball

[Mckarnin]

Just got some air on Hardball

I just saw your other thread...what did they say? Was their video?

[SaratogaForRonPaul]

Just donated $50,who is matching me?

Blimp!

[Brian in Maryland]

I just donated $25 to the blimp. :)
I'm watching the counter, people are donating.
This has to be done tonight.

Let's keep it flying for Ron and America. At least through super Tuesday.

Visit now.
There is a video of Dr. Paul talking about it too.
http://ronpaulblimp.com/

[Trigonx]

bump

[Mckarnin]

Just donated $50,who is matching me?

Blimp!

Cross your fingers folks...I was just contacted by FOX Business and it looks like they may cover the Ron Paul blimp live tomorrow night!

[RonRules]

South Carolina is really the FIRST state where the blimp was used to campaign. It's really not a state that would necessarily be good for Ron Paul (eg large percentage of minorities).

So, we'll get to see if the blimp made a difference. If Ron Paul get 10% in SC, you can pretty much attribute at least 2-3% to the blimp alone.

Maybe, after that, people will fund this thing till Nov 2008.

[mosquitobite]

I was thinking the same thing RonRules.

ROI :D

[Mckarnin]

I was thinking the same thing RonRules.

ROI :D


Well I'll cross my fingers even harder for the 19th then. :-) We have to look at how Ron Paul has been doing compared to how he has been polling in other states and then see if he does better than that in SC.

K

[mdevour]

I really love the local coverage, Katherine! Thanks for posting it where it's visible.

Yes, SC and FL will be the real test, and the best number to measure to evaluate the blimp's performance, specifically, will be name recognition. Bet it helps a lot.

We still must follow up name recognition efforts with canvassing, advertising, and candidate events, then GOTV organizing and execution.

The blimp isn't the whole answer but it is a valuable -- and wonderful! -- part.

THANKS to you, ma'am, and to the entire blimp team!

For Liberty!

Mike D.

[Mckarnin]

I really love the local coverage, Katherine! Thanks for posting it where it's visible.

Yes, SC and FL will be the real test, and the best number to measure to evaluate the blimp's performance, specifically, will be name recognition. Bet it helps a lot.

We still must follow up name recognition efforts with canvassing, advertising, and candidate events, then GOTV organizing and execution.

The blimp isn't the whole answer but it is a valuable -- and wonderful! -- part.

THANKS to you, ma'am, and to the entire blimp team!

For Liberty!

Mike D.

Thanks! I'll be answering questions live from 9pm-10:30-ish EST tonight if anyone has any.

www.justin.tv/blimpette

[Mckarnin]

South Carolina is really the FIRST state where the blimp was used to campaign. It's really not a state that would necessarily be good for Ron Paul (eg large percentage of minorities).

So, we'll get to see if the blimp made a difference. If Ron Paul get 10% in SC, you can pretty much attribute at least 2-3% to the blimp alone.

Maybe, after that, people will fund this thing till Nov 2008.

Is that you whispering in an ape's ear?

[RonRules]

The last Blimp Report Jan 19, was great.

http://www.ronpaulblimp.com/blog/archives/214

What's nice about your work is it's getting more professional, but still looks spontaneous, unrehearsed and included the TV reporter coming in late! You would NOT see that on TV news.

[RonRules]

"Is that you whispering in an ape's ear?"

Yes it is! And he definitely got the joke!

[RonRules]

Did Ron Paul fly in the Blimp yet? There's fantastic photo op's and videos to be made from that.

I would think a big name photographer much like the people that would do LIFE magazine may be interested in such a commission.

[Benphranks]

The Blimp project has really been astounding, but I wonder how many people here, who are continuing to support the blimp, have done a cost benefit analysis between future dollars invested in the blimp and future dollars invested in other forms of media? I've contacted KABC- AM in Los Angeles and requested a media kit in order to get an idea of costs per thousands (CPM) of audience members reached. According to Gaebler (http://www.gaebler.com/Cost-of-Radio-Advertising-In-Los+Angeles---CA), ad rate are typically $1,083.00 for a 30 second spot. Radio spots not only generate name recognition, as the Blimp does, they also communicate specific messages about issues, about Ron, and about Ron's differentiation from the mainstream candidates. With the California primary coming-up, I do not understand why we would be talking about investing dollars in to a general advertising medium such as the Blimp, when we need to be communicating through highly targeted advertising mediums that will convert specific voters. When I receive the media kit, I'll post a quick n dirty CPM for KABC for all to view.

[Mckarnin]

Did Ron Paul fly in the Blimp yet? There's fantastic photo op's and videos to be made from that.

I would think a big name photographer much like the people that would do LIFE magazine may be interested in such a commission.


I am in touch with someone in his entourage in South Carolina and we will get him to the blimp if his schedule allows it. I mentioned in another thread that FOX business is interested in having the blimp on their show live 7-8pm ET. I'll post on the forum if that is confirmed.


We have already been working with MSNBC to get something going on the blimp in South Carolina but they really wanted Dr. Paul. We'll see what we can manage.

[Mckarnin]

The Blimp project has really been astounding, but I wonder how many people here, who are continuing to support the blimp, have done a cost benefit analysis between future dollars invested in the blimp and future dollars invested in other forms of media? I've contacted KABC- AM in Los Angeles and requested a media kit in order to get an idea of costs per thousands (CPM) of audience members reached. According to Gaebler (http://www.gaebler.com/Cost-of-Radio-Advertising-In-Los+Angeles---CA), ad rate are typically $1,083.00 for a 30 second spot. Radio spots not only generate name recognition, as the Blimp does, they also communicate specific messages about issues, about Ron, and about Ron's differentiation from the mainstream candidates. With the California primary coming-up, I do not understand why we would be talking about investing dollars in to a general advertising medium such as the Blimp, when we need to be communicating through highly targeted advertising mediums that will convert specific voters. When I receive the media kit, I'll post a quick n dirty CPM for KABC for all to view.


Welcome to the forum. You may want to start a thread of your own with this information and update it as you get more. Free market, your idea can certainly compete with ours for funding. :-)

[RPSignbomb]

The blimp is a waste of money, stop pimping it and bleeding money from Dr. Paul.

[Mckarnin]

The blimp is a waste of money, stop pimping it and bleeding money from Dr. Paul.

I'll have to disagree with you on that. Grassroots raised $20 million for Ron Paul in the 4th quarter. I would guess that the television media alone that has been generated by the blimp is almost as great as than that which the moneybombs generated and all for $400,000 for the first month.

[RPSignbomb]

I'll have to disagree with you on that. Grassroots raised $20 million for Ron Paul in the 4th quarter. I would guess that the television media alone that has been generated by the blimp is almost as great as than that which the moneybombs generated and all for $400,000 for the first month.

Yawn, don't you have your own forum? This is not a grassroots effort - it's a for profit company. The fact the Blimp Boy keeps using the Nov. 5th e-mail database to pimp his company disgusts me.

I'd like to know how much you guys spend on lodging, where you stay. How much you spend on food, where you eat. Etc. Etc. ... because WE ARE PAYING FOR IT everytime we donate. Now please go to your sub-forum :)

[NerveShocker]

We need to keep this flying before and during the South Carolina Primary. Then we can hopefully keep it airborne so it can fly over Florida during their primary as well. ;)


Help Support the The Ron Paul Blimp:
www.RonPaulBlimp.com

[UKMan]

The blimp is your TV.

[UKMan]

I'd like to know how much you guys spend on lodging, where you stay. How much you spend on food, where you eat. Etc. Etc. ... because WE ARE PAYING FOR IT everytime we donate. Now please go to your sub-forum

If RP can put his figures live on his site, then the blimp people should follow the same example. As should everyone who takes responsibility for RP Dollars.

[NerveShocker]

Yawn, don't you have your own forum? This is not a grassroots effort - it's a for profit company. The fact the Blimp Boy keeps using the Nov. 5th e-mail database to pimp his company disgusts me.

I'd like to know how much you guys spend on lodging, where you stay. How much you spend on food, where you eat. Etc. Etc. ... because WE ARE PAYING FOR IT everytime we donate. Now please go to your sub-forum :)

She is allowed to post in here actually. Are you an admin? If you were maybe you would know that the grassroots main page is meant for raising funds for projects as well as others things. It's funny how you post and say its not effective then when you are disagreed with strongly you completely disregard what is said and attack at a different angle. :/

[RPSignbomb]

She is allowed to post in here actually. Are you an admin? If you were maybe you would know that the grassroots main page is meant for raising funds for projects as well as others things. It's funny how you post and say its not effective then when you are disagreed with you completely disregard it as unimportant and attack at a different angle. :/

If we want to get technical - then we must. Liberty Political Advertising is a for-profit company that is profiting off the use of the Ron Paul name. Now this is not a bad thing, I respect it. However it's also not grassroots. Just like Ron Paul Stickers is not grassroots --- they are company, providing a service. They should not post in the grassroots forums and either should Liberty Political Advertising AKA: the blimp

[PrayToday]

The admonition to "Google Ron Paul" was awesome and effective before the newsletter smear began. Now, "Google Ron Paul" is an invitation to get a negative first impression. Can the blimp handlers change the banner to something...else?

[BeFranklin]

We need other things besides this blimp now. It isn't new anymore, and has generated most of its publicity already.

[itshappening]

blimp

[Mckarnin]

If we want to get technical - then we must. Liberty Political Advertising is a for-profit company that is profiting off the use of the Ron Paul name. Now this is not a bad thing, I respect it. However it's also not grassroots. Just like Ron Paul Stickers is not grassroots --- they are company, providing a service. They should not post in the grassroots forums and either should Liberty Political Advertising AKA: the blimp


Ron Paul's Official Campaign's personnel make money, Ron Paul AirCorps people make money...everyone who does stuff for Ron Paul has to make money to live from a job of some kind whether it is Ron Paul related or not...unless they have a family member who they can live with and whose food they can eat.

[RonPaulVolunteer]

We need other things besides this blimp now. It isn't new anymore, and has generated most of its publicity already.

QFT

.

[Mckarnin]

QFT

.

What's QFT?

[SteveMartin]

DO NOT KNOCK THE BLIMP PROJECT. If anyone is now to the point of questioning whether they sleep at Best Western or Motel 6, eat at Friday's or MacDonald's and would have a problem with either one, then you just have no concept of how great this tool has been.

I guarantee the cost/payback in the south vs. radio ads has been extraordinary.

Don't forget, radio advertising execs will be the ones giving you the CPM for their radio ads.

How trustworthy is that?!

[Marc3579]

DO NOT KNOCK THE BLIMP PROJECT. If anyone is now to the point of questioning whether they sleep at Best Western or Motel 6, eat at Friday's or MacDonald's and would have a problem with either one, then you just have no concept of how great this tool has been.

I guarantee the cost/payback in the south vs. radio ads has been extraordinary.

Don't forget, radio advertising execs will be the ones giving you the CPM for their radio ads.

How trustworthy is that?!

+1 QFT

[Edu]

Blimp!

[disciple]

Go Blimp.

[RP4Pres2008]

What now?

[BeFranklin]

What now?

The Ron Paul HQ has only raised ~ 874,000 dollars for the entire time since New Years.

[MikeSmith]

Blimp! Last day to try to keep this in the air.

[itshappening]

yup!

[DXDoug]

Nice Rounds IN SC!!! lets hope it works. BLIMP needs MONEY!

[RP4Pres2008]

Blimp! Last day to try to keep this in the air.

I thought yesterday...or was that a trick? :confused:

[szczebrzeszyn]

I thought yesterday...or was that a trick? :confused:

Nah, it was always 18th.

[bucfish]

Bump for the Blimp!!!

[liberteebell]

The Ron Paul HQ has only raised ~ 874,000 dollars for the entire time since New Years.


I am so :confused:

1. It's just after the holidays, everything's slow at this time of year. Is there any hard evidence that other campaigns are taking in millions from individual donors???

2. The very fact that RP's fund raising totals are out in the open for all to see (transparent) has opened the door for lots of criticism. Conversely, if it DOES appear to the world that fund raising is dropping off, it will confirm that RP doesn't have support. So what's the answer? Donate.

3. How many of you have a whole lot of spare cash laying around? (I don't). If you do, please donate now and quit complaining about how fund raising is so low.

4. I'll bet many of us are saving up for the Free At Last money bomb; I am. I'm in this for the long haul. I am not giving up. I will continue to donate whatever I can, whenever I can until Ron Paul decides to drop out (and I hope he never will). I challenge others to do the same.

5. That said, there have been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many money bombs, and many of us can't afford to donate to every one. We would be better served to hit the streets, recruit more supporters for RP and ask THEM to donate so the "burden" is spread out.

6. A lot of people have an attitude problem with HQ and have decided not to donate. Big mistake. Money talks, BS walks. We've gotten more positive mileage out of our grassroots fund raising than any single other event. And even if the billionaire does pan out, although that person can do other high visibility things with their money, legally, they can only donate the same maximum you and I can donate. In other words, no one is going to bail us out; it's up to us.

7. It appears that HQ does indeed have a plan and they have begun implementing it in other states besides Iowa and NH as evidenced by a number of posts on this forum about direct mailings (which actually DO work) and ads in places such as delegate rich California. While their plan may not suit all of us, they ARE doing something and it sounds pretty interesting. They'll need more money to continue. I'm thinking that RP might just be sly like a fox when it comes to a strategic plan.

8. We're all in this together. I don't understand why people are giving up at the first sign of problems. Did someone mistakenly tell you this would be easy?? This may be a monumental challenge but it's also a monumental opportunity; maybe once in a lifetime. So, chin up and get back to work. If you're feeling down, consult a fellow Ron Paul enthusiast for encouragement. :) And then, canvass your neighborhood for new supporters.

As for the Blimp; I think it's wonderful and I wish I had tons of money; I'd pay for the entire thing. If you don't like it, fine but how 'bout letting the rest of us decide what we want to do with our own money?

[uncloned21]

Blimpin' ain't easy!

[Paulitical Correctness]

Kudos to Mckarnin for handling all the negativity with class and composure.

+1 for the blimp.

[itshappening]

blimp

[Edu]

Blimp!

[Mckarnin]

Kudos to Mckarnin for handling all the negativity with class and composure.

+1 for the blimp.

Thank you! I try.

Local NBC filmed on the blimp this afternoon and will interview Trevor in Columbia for a segment on their news this evening. MSNBC is going to interview Trevor in Columbia and feature the blimp/grassroots as well. We'll see how it goes. That's represents most of what I have been doing this morning. :-)

[Todd]

I can't see how anyone thinks that the blimp was a bad idea. This was one of the true highlights of this campaign. For so many private citizens to fund a blimp is a show of political power from the people I haven't ever witnessed. If I could have something to do over again. It would be give less of the money to the official campaign and more to
1. Grassroots 30 second TV ads funded in the early states. (better than the campaigns)
2. Fund the Blimp for every major Ron Paul stop on the campaign trail.

We're learning....

[Edu]

I can't see how anyone thinks that the blimp was a bad idea. This was one of the true highlights of this campaign. For so many private citizens to fund a blimp is a show of political power from the people I haven't ever witnessed. If I could have something to do over again. It would be give less of the money to the official campaign and more to
1. Grassroots 30 second TV ads funded in the early states. (better than the campaigns)
2. Fund the Blimp for every major Ron Paul stop on the campaign trail.

We're learning....I agree.

[fmontez]

The blimp was a great idea!! Bump

[Edu]

Blimp - was on MSNBC!

[itshappening]

our own media :)

[Edu]

About 3 minutes on MSNBC including a small amount of Ron Paul talking to people footage!

Full view of both sides of the Blimp. Not a bad story.

[itshappening]

nice!

[pacelli]

Bump so the mystery billionaire heads over to ronpaulblimp.com and selects the 1,000,000 air time purchase option.

[Edu]

MSNBC clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzZjpbpm06k

[Mckarnin]

Bump so the mystery billionaire heads over to ronpaulblimp.com and selects the 1,000,000 air time purchase option.


LOL! Hey, if you actually exist billionaire...a few thousand wouldn't hurt (or million). :-)

[Mckarnin]

I'll be posting this again with the new media from today....well actually yesterday now. 1/18

[Mckarnin]

I can't see how anyone thinks that the blimp was a bad idea. This was one of the true highlights of this campaign. For so many private citizens to fund a blimp is a show of political power from the people I haven't ever witnessed. If I could have something to do over again. It would be give less of the money to the official campaign and more to
1. Grassroots 30 second TV ads funded in the early states. (better than the campaigns)
2. Fund the Blimp for every major Ron Paul stop on the campaign trail.

We're learning....

This is unprecedented and we are all learning. :-)

[ST0PandL00K]

blump

[Mckarnin]

blump

Please go to this link for the new RON PAUL UNCENSORED thread with 1/18's Columbia, SC footage and a new report from Myrtle Beach that was broadcast in Columbia, SC on the night of the Republican Debate.

RON PAUL UNCENSORED--Link to NEW news coverage from 1/18 (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?p=1002270#post1002270)

[Edu]

Blimp!

[Mckarnin]

Blimp!

Thanks! Tough day to get attention around here. It will be easier to get people to look at South Carolina stuff once Nevada is counted. :-)