What do you guys think of this "Fire Bush" commercial?

[GumboYaYa]

http://www.jeffsmith2004.com/ad_vote.php

It looks like it is the one the voters are favoring. Every time donations for "High Energy" get close, more pour in for "Fire Bush." Are we fools for running an ad like this? I would love to hear what any marketing people think about the ad. All the professional ad people I talk to say the "Fire Bush" is great b/c it cuts through the clutter. I'm no marketing person, but I like "High Energy" much better.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

1. I like 'em both! (but High Energy more so - its slicker)

Keep it up YaYa!!!

[underpants]

3. Jeff has some freakin' MOVES too

Damn! super quick.

I like both of them.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. I think "High Energy" is poor

It has pangs of inaudible voices, it sends too many messages to get across in 30 seconds, "I'm the first one on the ballot" seems like a pointless statement... In my own humble opinion, I really think "High Energy" is a waste of money for him.

[GumboYaYa]

4. High Energy is a cut down version of a 30 minute documentary.

He initially cut it as a one minute commercial and it worked better in a longer form.

This weekend we are hitting the streets with thousands of copies of the documentary.

In the best of all worlds we run both ads and blanket the city with the documentary, but it takes lots of money to do that.

Thanks for thr input though. It looks like the public agrees with you so far.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. I think you should keep it as a documentary

Maybe pare it down to 10 minutes, if you can. Attention spans for most people are incredibly short. 30 seconds is way too short to get across more than one message. They need to be concise and direct, as the average viewer, sadly, can't digest more than one thought in such a short time span. That's where "Fire Bush" is a lot more effective. It sends one message - that Bush shouldn't be President and that your guy will stand up to him. I can't get that one firm message from the other ad, except that he's everywhere maybe. That's nice, but not good enough to change someone's mind.

Further, you have to consider unpaid media. The more concise you can get a message, the higher the odds are that you'll see it on the news. It's a sound byte world, which does suck, but that's the reality of it.

I should also say that I really think Jeff Smith looks like a fine candidate, and I would definitely vote for him without reservation were I given a chance. Who's he running against and what are the odds of victory?


On edit: It's Gephardt district. He's an amazing man, and I've had the opportunity to meet him on many occassions. Have you tried to bring him into your campaign at all?

[GumboYaYa]

8. It's like you have been sitting in the planning meetings.

We pared the video down to about 12 minutes for public consumption.

Every ad professional says exactly what you said about "Fire Bush."

We are working hard to get unpaid media to pick up the story. Yesterday and today we are attacking the internet to push the fundraising. We hope that we are successful enough to get the press to notice. If you know anyone who can push the link in the blogsphere, please help if you can.

We have every chance in the world of winning this primary (and the GE since it is a solid Dem distrct). At the end of the last quarter we had the most cash on hand, the largest staff, and the most volunteers. Driving around St. Louis, our yard signs are clearly dominant. We want to dominate the air waves the week before the election, but we need to raise some more money to get there (but not so much that it is an unattainable goal).

[GumboYaYa]

9. Gep's staying out of the race, but they have talked to his people.

Jeff is running against Russ Carnahan and a few other state reps. It was an uphill climb to get where we are now, but Jeff's a good climber. He works harder than any politician I have ever seen.

[amazona]

5. bummed because i can't pull them up

I had some virus protection work done on my computer which was necessary because I do online banking and trading, and now I can't see videos any more, so I'm bitter. :-(

I hope to see them on another computer before the voting is over.

[GumboYaYa]

10. They will probably be up for several more days.

I hope you get a chance to watch them. I'm very interested in people's comments.

Like I said, I'm no ad professional, but I have always trusted the judgment of DUers.

[readmylips]

7. Little bush flip flapping again????

No...The leader sent from heaven?

[sniffa]

11. fire bush hands down

for the doubLe-entrende aLone. you ever date a red head?

[GumboYaYa]

12. LOL, and I mean really LOL....

It depends upon what you mean by "date," but I certainly know what you are talking about.