Sunday, September 07, 2008

Reviewing the NDP Ad

The latest NDP political TV ad is what happens when you ask somebody who doesn't know how to write a "negative ad" write a "negative ad."

The biggest problem with NDP commercial is that it actually looks like a pro-Harper spot.

I mean it actually reinforces a prime Tory message by calling Stephen Harper a "strong leader" not once, not twice, but three times.

Another problem is that the spot crams way too much information in a 30 second ad. A good ad focuses on just one idea. This one has propaganda overload.

And, the bit about the doctors disappearing has a visual of a nice family visiting a doctor, so the image contradicts the message.

Finally, it's a mistake to have Jack Layton pop in at the end looking all happy.

It destroys the mood.

You cannot mix a negative and positive message in one ad -- it's got to be one or the other.

3 comments:

Beast said...

You're exactly right. And another thing. When you don't have anything of your own to brag about, try and blame someone else for anything.

Anonymous said...

Dumb ad for sure. Branding is everything and there is little NDP to remember other than Jack's face at the end.

I do like the NDP strategy of deeming the Liberals irrelevant. It only works if the Libs continue the early destruction though. IF the libs continue to falter he looks smart but needs to plan a shift in message to SOMETHING positibe the Dippers could do.

Otherwise it looks like Jack is paying tribute to his family's Conservative roots by promoting Harper the way he is in this ad

Anonymous said...

I have to wonder if Jack is trying to channel Obamania. At the end of the spot he says " join me and the NEW Democrats". That makes two major parties hitching their wagons to an AMERICAN party...oooohhhhh, scary.