Barr ‘08 rolls out new TV ad
October 3rd, 2008 by Jason PyeHere is the first television add from Bob Barr 2008:
We need your help getting this ad on the air. Please consider a contribution today.
Here is the first television add from Bob Barr 2008:
We need your help getting this ad on the air. Please consider a contribution today.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The best part is the statement, “No more Democrats. No more Republicans.” I think those simple statements capture what the majority of Americans long for. Even the people who vote for the lesser of two evils will still tell you that they hate partisan politics. They long for a government with no more Democrats and no more Republicans. Good job appealing to those sentiments in six simple words!
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
The media has drilled into most people, the meme that the financial crisis is caused by insuffient requlation. It seems to me that the burden in on the campaign to explain why this is wrong.
Absent such an explanation, this ad will seem incongrous because it blames the R’s and D’s for the financial meltdown and then calls for smaller government.
Just my 2 cents. Don’t shoot the messenger.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Awesome, I been waiting for this. I hope it will be aired nationally.
please join us at http://bobbarrforums.com. Show your support. We need more supporters.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Mr. Campbell, I think most people DO blame both the R’s and the D’s for the financial meltdown, and they’re frustrated that there seems to be no other choice. This isn’t a perfect ad, but I like the way it drives the main point home: the two major parties have screwed things up, and you don’t have to vote for them anymore.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
So where will this spot run?
National or local TV… if so what market?
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Very nice ad, I like it! Use the B.O.M.B. to attract people to Barr!
JM
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I liked it’s simplistic approach.
My guess is that your trying to appeal to people who get their information from t.v. Therefore, I would 86′ that style of music; something more anthemic ,patriotic, inspirational,UPlifting,etc….
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Which markets are the radio and TV ads being aired in? Seems like Atlanta, Dallas/Ft Worth, Las Vegas, and Manchester NH are logical areas to focus on.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
It’s an ad and that’s a good start. It may get the attention of registered D or Rs who might see the ad and think they’re on some kind of hit list. But as I’ve stated before regarding other Barr campaign media, there are no direct benefits presented to the potential Barr voter.
Remember, people listen to WII-FM; What’s In It For Me? For Barr advertising to be successful, benefits to the audience HAVE to be clearly stated. Smaller government, fewer taxes and more freedom are too general to mean anything to most people.
“Before you advertise in any medium, however, consider your business and its industry. Think about your target market and your competitive position. What sets your business apart? What are the key benefits of your product or service? Advertising shouldn’t focus on features but on benefits — what your product or service will do for the customer. Your audience wants to know what’s in it for them.”
It’s Marketing 101, folks. Something the Barr campaign doesn’t seem to be able to grasp.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
It’s a good start. I’d like to see focus on the phrases like:
“Take Back Your Country”
“Take Back Your Freedom, Your Liberty, Your Rights”
“Send Washington More Than A Message”
“There are ARE More Choices Than Democrat and Republican… they just want you to know it”
You know, something catchy. That’s all 30 second commercial ads are anyway. Then focus a lot of emphasis on getting them to the website (because that’s free). ….just my 2 cents.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
What happened to the Party Puppet ads?
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I didn’t care for the music in the background, I think we could have gone with something different.
The ad is different though, so I think it will catch people’s attention, but they’ll need a follow up ad to get them really clicking with it.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Bravo! Bravo! I want this ad in Michigan! Great job Bob!
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
This add is a good start. Two things I would like to see. First, is how much would each 30 second spot cost in the market you want to run the add?
Next, show us a couple of other adds along with the cost for 30 seconds. Let us vote on the adds with our dollars.
This way we get the add we like and you get the money you need!
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Why aren’t we using the phrase “Congressman Bob Barr?” This isn’t just some clown who wanted to run for President and jumped on the Libertarian bandwagon! This is a guy with excellent experience! So let’s say that!
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I htought the ad was fantastic. If anyone has studied advertising this ad is the bomb. Please keep in mind that people who watch this have no idea who Barr is or what a Libertarian is. So this is truly fantastic.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
The ad sucks. The music is dorky. The dude’s voice is dorky. There’s no passion, no urgency, nothing provacative about it at all. Insignificant burn of campaign capital. Will get no response and change nothing at all. Stop wasting precious time. Do some EXTRAORDINARY.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I think this is a good solid start: getting the name and the realization of the other option out there in front of voters.
At the same time, I agree with John Campbell and James R. and others in that this ad won’t likely do all that well on its own, and needs to be followed up with successive chapters in the story of why the Libertarians will do more for (or less to) Americans citizens than the Demopublicans or Republocrats…
Good stuff.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I’m glad to see Barr commercials being made, but I have to agree with some folks that it’s not quite up to par to air nationally. I don’t mean to slam it, but from a design standpoint, it reminds me of low quality student work.
Bob Barr has the best 3rd party website, without a doubt. That standard seems to be lacking in the commercial.
I also agree that he should be referred to as Congressman. That’s kind of a big deal.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I like the music, I like the ad in general. One VERY minor detail.. instead of the text saying FEW TAXES it should say FEWER TAXES to match the voice over text.
A little detail that catches my eye! Hope to see you in Cleveland on the 16th!
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I think ‘Bob Barr on Civil Liberties’ should be aired on television.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I liked the ad! it’s a good start!
Let’s contribute everything we can now and continue to work as hard as we can to find new supporters and donors.
It’s clear the campaign is surging forward on a wave of voter support.
Bob needs every dollar we can raise so he can do as much advertising as possible for the next 4 weeks.
He and Wayne are the ticket this country needs NOW and we are the people who can make that success happen.
How are we doing state by state getting Bob and Wayne prominently displayed at the state LP websites? Has anybody had success with making that happen within their own state?
I love the Ohio website!
I also think Todd is right on the mark with the short direct points he listed. I’d like to see those used in advertising over the next four weeks.
And once again, I’m firmly in JR’s corner about pointed messages about what’s in it for the voter.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Not perfect, but a good start to get Bob’s name out there. I liked the music, I don’t think the background music is that big a deal anyway, if you find a better piece of music to use do it, but don’t make it a priority. I think a better picture of Bob should have been used, that one had a “low production quality” look about it for some reason. I hope HQ is taking notes and making adjustments on the fly, there’s no reason for these ads to be stagnate, let them evolve as you get more feedback from the group here.
I think the first 16 seconds are absolutely perfect, I wouldn’t change a thing there (except for maybe the music). My favorite part is “No more Republicans or Democrats.” I think that line will have a significant impact on the American public. So many people are fed up with both sides but still have no clue that other political parties actually exist.
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October 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Ooops,re: my comment above: I meant I’m in James Rs corner about the ‘what’s in it for me’.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
The fact that we are getting the name out there so people know they have a choice is a great first step.Our trump card is that Bob is alone in his fight against the bailout and for free markets.The whole country is buying into the “free market has failed”line of thinking.After watching the debates we can see that both the Obama and Mccain camps have bought into this.We need folks to hear Bob explain why it was goverment that failed and how freedom[with some tough Love]can get us back on track.We cant do that in thirty seconds!We all need to light up the phone lines at the news networks and radio stations daily and tell them you want to see what Bob[and Wayne]have to offer.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Bob Barr has a very steady, strong, yet reassuring voice and the ability to vocalize his Libertarian beliefs in short yet powerful sentences. He’s the one America needs to hear on the adds.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Deborah: I agree/Bob has the voice and the manner of a leader, of a President.
October 4th, 2008 at 1:08 am
There shared to Facebook, My Space, Twitter and the LOCNETWORK.COM. All of which have a broad based network of people who will at least be able to look at it. Then be able to make decisions before Nov 4th.
October 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Razorback fan wrote, “…the two major parties have screwed things up, and you don’t have to vote for them anymore.”
Rather than have an ad that merely suggests that conclusion, I’d love to hear a voice (Bob’s own voice, perhaps?) saying exactly what you wrote, RBF. That is a succinct, powerful articulation of what so many are thinking these days.
The ad is nice enough, but I agree with some that unless you use a tremendously arresting professional voice (e.g., the late Don LaFontaine of “in a world…” movie trailer fame), the better choice by far would be to have Bob narrate his own ads. Let the candidate speak directly to the people.
Some testimonial ads, showing people (real if possible, not actors) explaining why they will be voting for Barr in November would probably be good, too.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
To add to my 2 cents…
I agreel that you need to present Bob Barr as a very legitimate candidate. He’s no random bum. Refer to him as Congressman Bob Barr (or former Congressman). Also replace, or be a precursor to, the picture of Bob (which is questionable) with footage of Bob Barr speaking… specifically about something to do with the recent economy and about liberties.
… I guess that makes my 3 cents now.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
National TV is showing bias! HELLO, there is other canidates out here! In my research of Mr. Bob Barr he is the BETTER canidate.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Denise said, “I like the music, I like the ad in general. One VERY minor detail.. instead of the text saying FEW TAXES it should say FEWER TAXES to match the voice over text.” Actually both the text and voiceover should be changed to “lower taxes.” There’s no difference between many taxes that take 50% of your income or few taxes that take 50% of your income. People don’t want “fewer taxes” they want more money in their pockets at the end of the day. Remember, “What’s in it for me?”
October 7th, 2008 at 7:44 am
I would love to see more T.V. ads in Michigan, so we can get to know Bob Barr and what he stands for. I like what I have read on the website,but would love to hear him speak on T.V.. I do believe he is the man I will be voting for. We do need someone who understands that the middle class, and seniors are taken care of. He seems to be very honest and genuine.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I think Ricky Irvine hit on the right idea above…
Part of the reason Ross Perot was so successful when he ran his candidacy was (besides a rather large wallet) his simple straight-talking television ads, which sat down and talked straight to the American viewer about important issues in ways that can be readily understood. Bob Barr has plenty of these sorts of videos posted to YouTube; why not use some of them (trimmed as needed) as the next television commercials? They may have the potential to be far more effective than a happy snappy here-we-are ad…