Ads fail to sell democracy to Iraqis

[dArKeR]

By Tom Perry

Baghdad - Iraqi boys, some Arab and some Kurdish, are playing soccer; a goal is scored and one lifts his shirt to celebrate, revealing a map of his country on his vest.

"On June 30 we regain our sovereignty. On June 30 we are all winners," says the match commentator, accompanied by a crowd humming the tune to an Iraqi national song.

The advertisement is part of a campaign to build Iraqis' faith in American plans for their country, currently focused on the planned June 30 handover to an interim Iraqi government.

http://iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=3&art_id=qw1085994540968B262&set_id=1

1. Those stupid Iraqis aren't listening to our American 'Viagra' and 'Supersize' style of advertising?

2. Did you see the 60 Min show 8 days ago about Bush authorizing the (republican) Arab TV network which was built in Virginia? Start up costs $60 mil. plus. Of course the 'Chalabi's' receiving the money thought is was the best idea in the world but the statements from independent 'corporate' Arabs from around the world said it was dumping American money in the gargage.

Just look how Bush has bankrupt our nation for services and infrastructure for those of us making $300K and less. What should have gone to build American roads, schools, recreation areas, adult education programs, technology investments (our Space Shuttle has been grounded and may never fly again...) is now in the hands of Crime Families like Bush, Cheney, Gingrich, Delay, Hastery, Lott, Frist...

[maddezmom]

1. from 5/13/04: CSM-Iraqi democracy: the sales pitch

Iraqi democracy: the sales pitch

How a Western PR firm, with Arab partners, tackles the world's toughest ad campaign

By Clayton Collins | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

On the television screen, an elderly Iraqi man sits at a desk, carefully folding pieces of paper that suggest ballots. "I choose to live in peace," says a voice-over, in Arabic. "I choose justice and stability." With a fountain pen, he checks a box that takes the shape of Iraq. "I, an Iraqi, choose one Iraq."

The 30-second spot, which began airing in Iraq May 8, ends with the blue oval insignia of the Transitional Administrative Law and the same mellifluous audio kicker - "an Iraq of hope and peace" - that has capped similar ads in recent weeks.


The TAL is the work of the Coalition Provisional Authority, which will run Iraq until the planned June 30 handover. The ad, versions of which appear on radio and in print, was produced by a Western public-relations firm hired this spring by the CPA to reach Iraqis clustered around a rising number of satellite TVs.

Its job: to sell democracy.

~snip~

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0513/p11s02-woiq.html

[cliss]

2. if it's the real thing, you don't need to sell it.

I would say the Iraqis are ready to move forward, after all they've been through. They want to be able to live peacably, with all their different factions and tribes.

The only problem is, when they have an Empire hovering above them and stealing their resources, it makes it a little difficult to swallow.

[leesa]

3. Maybe it's the gun pointed at their heads...