Monday, October 6, 2008

STOP THE POLITICAL ADS!

If you're like most people - you're about up to here with constant political ads on TV.

From Obama to McCain to your local elections - the airwaves are full of :30s, :60s and even a few :120s - and some of those ads are just darn mean.

Enter WCCO.

Always known for their different approach - check out these "political ad breaks":






UPDATE: The latest spot:



Cute... funny... they convey personality and make a connection with all the people out there that are sick and tired of all the ads and just need a breather.

Smart. I like 'em.

Oh, and I'm Don Smith - and I approved this message.

14 comments:

Mike Lange said...

"If I see another Ol'McCain ad I think I'm gonna vomit. So what can we do?"

"How about we get Tina Fey in a promo?"

"oh...too expensive.."

"What about a sleeping cat? Everyone loves cute, fuzzy animals..."

"And babies!"

"Perfect!"

I'd love to be in their creative meetings...

Mike Lange said...

By the way...great use of the video on istockphoto.

Anonymous said...

Saw this same idea back during the 04 elections. Imagery was a baby playing w a rattle in one, slow-mo of wild horses in one, and an aerial view of the Big D in another. Used by a car dealer in Texas (Dallas).

Brilliant then - and now.

Anonymous said...

First it was the cluster bust during newscasts, now the political ad buster. I love it.

Anonymous said...

I would've liked 'em more if they were only :10 long...maybe :15.

Anonymous said...

These were very nice.

How are their topicals working out? I've heard through the vine that it's not doing as well as we all hoped.

ericamayer said...

go team!
and yes, our creative meetings are a bunch of fun :-)
where did u hear about the topicals not working? they are actually up for an emmy!

Anonymous said...

emmys don't equal ratings.
have you seen improved retention since launching the new format?

Anonymous said...

and why are you now back to running 'regular' topicals?

Anonymous said...

I wish I could work at a tv station where emmy wins equaled success. Unfortunately, our spots here are supposed to bring viewers to the newscast... not satisfy anonymous people in other markets that vote on emmys (or promax awards).
By the way, if I was buying political time on WCCO, I would pull my money off the station after seeing these spots. You are basically telling viewers to ignore political ads (on which I am spending thousands of dollars)!

DART passenger #79,571,224,654 said...

whoa that last one was a harsh and interesting comment.

i don't think anyone pays that much attention anyways

ericamayer said...

where did i say that emmy = success?
i was just stating what i know...and being the excited and green producer i am, i was pumped to share the news with all of you since, for the most part-you've been really awesome to bounce things off of...i've never been up for something like this before. jeesh. forgive a girl for being a tad bit excited. haha.

by the way, i was just asking where those of you had "heard" that they aren't working, that's all.

speaking to that point:
this is PURELY my opinion, but i think it's hard to actually KNOW if they are "working" or not, because we've had some major staff changes since they came on the air as well. lots of variables.

back to "anonymous" poster #3...i never said emmy's equal success at our station. like i stated before, i was just excited-since i'm new to this stuff. in fact, my boss doesn't think awards matter at all...he never goes to the emmy's, and emphasizes that we should focus more on supporting our brand, and each other-as a creative group...rather than focusing on awards. i love him for it.

that being said...i think 80% of the individuals posting under "anonymous" need a nice big dose of happy in their lives. lighten up :-) and maybe get a handle/name, so we know more about you? sweet.

Anonymous said...

"where did u hear about the topicals not working? they are actually up for an emmy!"

ericamayer said...

my apologies.
i should have worded it as such:

"where did you hear about the topicals not working? rumor? research? a friend? just curious, because i don't who you are, and haven't heard much feedback about them and would love to hear what you know"

...
...
...

(long pause and topic shift)

"oh, guess what? by the way, they are up for an emmy! i'm excited because this stuff is all new to me, and an excuse to get together with co-workers for a fun night sounds great."

this is the tone i meant when i wrote the first post-but writing quickly, it didn't come out that way. sorry everyone, i would have had this convo privately-but it's impossible to do so with anonymous.

have a great night, all.
long live the political ad breaks!