A Victory for Shrum? (Kerry Campaign Shake-Up) (TNR)

[Merlin]

I certainly hope this is a signal that Kerry will get back into the game again soon.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/campaignjournal?pid=1526

For months Kerry has relied on two heavy-hitting ad-makers to produce his television spots, Bob Shrum of Shrum, Devine & Donilon, and Jim Margolis of GMMB. Margolis reports that he will no longer be serving Kerry in that role...

"...due to proposed contract changes we could not come to an understanding that we regarded as workable. While we will continue to provide media placement services for the Kerry campaign, our strategic and advertising responsibilities will end."

...

Ever since Shrum joined the campaign last year, insiders have taken bets on how long the relationship with Margolis would last. The two men didn't know each other well, and in recent years often fiercely competed for the same political clients. Shrum is not known as a shrinking violet, and Margolis's ouster will undoubtedly be seen as evidence that Shrum, Kerry's closest adviser, is consolidating power inside the campaign. It's not clear yet if Shrum's firm will now handle all the advertising and strategy or if he will bring in another partner.

[w4rma]

1. Clash of the egos? (nt)

[DemNoir]

2. Only the quality of the ads matter

All of the Kerry ads have been very good so far, let's hope this doesn't effect the quality.