mydavidcameron.com: the end of the billboard opportunity?
I had to do this, if only to use the image.
(Unfortunately I do not have the skills to airbrush myself – never mind).
The election will be almost upon us and as sure as summer used to herald the thwack of willow on hippy or crusty, the election will have that most weary of images: senior politicians pointing up at unconvincing posters, surrounded by photographers clicking away as though the public could not wait to read about it next day in the papers.
There are exceptions. Saatchi and Saatchi’s Labour Isn’t Working had a touch of genius and was devastatingly effective.
But even I hoped this specimen might have dampened enthusiasm for the thrusting billboard campaign, I am disappointed:
I prefer:
Back to the serious point after these cheap jibes. The conversations online are affecting the effectiveness of the traditional billboard. This can be seen no more clearly than with my www.davidcameron.com
Within the time it takes to make a spoof, a campaign in “the real world” can be derided and scuppered, indeed work against the party in question.
Suddenly communications are more integrated and multi-channel than some imagined.
I expect when a political commentator asks will the election be fought online the answer from the “expert” should be it will be fought everywhere, and especially online.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Interesting view. You could also look over at Barak Obama’s very skilful use of the multiple channels available through the Internet during the race for presidency. That proves your point that the next election will be affected by how the Tory or Labour parties use the online media to their advantage.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Jim,
But will they really understand?
What happens in traditional media can be so much quicker in social media. So that creates some challenges not to labour the point too much – how do you tackel a story that is going round Twitter at night when your staff have knocked off? – by the morning a lot of damage might have been done
The episode with David Cameron shows communications are more democractic than ever and you have to really be sincere and convince your audience, if not you can get the above
Rob