Marketing a damaged brand. The elections race to the bottom explained.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, the negative marketing aspect of a US election is different than any other marketing category. The fact that there are only two options for voters to consider makes the race to the bottom attractive. Throw enough mud and folks won't have a choice but…

What’s in a Basket of Deplorables? An Ad Guy Explains

I wrote a few weeks ago on why negative advertising is so effective in politics but is much more rarely used in consumer brand advertising. But what about basket of deplorables? It seems a lot different. It's also been compared to Mitt's 47% comment. But that's the politics side of it…

Fear Mongering: The election explained by a creative director

If you ask the average person if they like negative ads or even think they work, they'd probably say "no they don't work and can they please just stop." But every campaign season there seems to be more and more negative ads. I'm predicting a record amount of negative advertising…

The issues don’t matter: The election explained by an advertising guy

In advertising we deal with competing brands all the time. Logically thinking, you might assume that one brand really is better than another. But if facts and logic where what consumers were in the market for each product category would have one dominate brand and everyone else would just get…

An ad guy explains the election. Hillary: the packaged goods candidate

Hillary Clinton's campaign tactics, public statements and brand promise are all a lot more understandable than Donald Trump's, which I've previously written about. In fact, Hillary's campaign feel a lot like it could be for a packaged good's company than her competitor. After all, Proctor and Gamble's motto is "The…

An Ad Guy Explains Trump: Human Viral Video

10 years ago every single advertising client would ask "make us a viral video." Back then, there was still the slight possibility a brand could make a really outrageous video and people would spread it for you via email and social media. But they still all want content that will generate…

Trump explained by an ad guy: Ad Hominem

Donald Trump is famous for using the Ad Hominem attacks like "Lyin' Ted", "Crooked Hillary" and "Little Marco" on his opponents rather than the logical take down. Why does he do it? Simple: people don't care about facts in marketing, advertising and politics (and really, in most things). For example:…

Trump explained by an advertising creative director

I've shied away from this topic during the primary season because it's a radioactive hot potato that could blow up in my face. But it's also very instructive to those who can see beyond their own biases. (Disclaimer: I'm a third party voter and will not be voting or supporting…