Comments on: What Can John McCain Teach Us about Branding?

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:34:24 +0000

Andrew, I'm with you all the way on this. I really wonder what data political strategists see that leads them to think negativity is effective. Where I have seen companies go negative is on the street level, when a sales person "knocks the competition". There are situations where that approach is very tempting, but I can't remember ever seeing it work. Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Best Marketing Advice that Came My Way

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:18:18 +0000

One aspect of political strategy which I am never comfortable with is the practice relying on winning via public attacks on the opposition, rather than positive, forward looking policies. Rarely do you see successful companies launching public attacks on competitors as a high priority in corporate marketing effort. Just maybe, there might be a reason for this. Just maybe, it's because that is not a successful strategy. Instead, successful companies devote the majority of their marketing effort around communicating the benefits of their product or service offering. Maybe, just maybe, it's because this is what works. I don't know why some tacticians believe that tactics which have been rejected by the corporate world will somehow produce effective results in politics. Politicians should ask themsevles one question - who inspires confidence as a leader, the candidate selling a vision for the future (flaws and all), or the candidate who offers nothing but public attacks on the opposition? Andrews last blog post..Socially Responsible Investing part 9: Does ethical investing compromise investment performance?

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:50:29 +0000

Hi Parth, Thanks! Hope you come back. Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Can John McCain Teach Us about Branding?

By: Parth

Parth — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:48:16 +0000

First time here. Awesome post man! Parths last blog post..The Push-up Workout Program for People Who Can’t Do Push-ups

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:06:48 +0000

Karen, Thank you - I like the fashion analogy. Where do you think this leaves us, over the top-wise? It seems like we're hurtling toward a socialist state. Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Can John McCain Teach Us about Branding?

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:30:29 +0000

Brad, excellent branding points. Politics offers many lessons for marketers and writers. I view it like Fashion Week. The runway shows are over the top and the designs are not something you would really wear but they set the trend for design and color. The over the top is then adapted for the real world market. Politics is all about passionate speeches that get people to feel and do. We would not use the exact same techniques in marketing but a toned down version. I loved your analysis, and you presented great takeways! Karen Swims last blog post..Blunders and other Wonders

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:18:04 +0000

Deb, Nice catch on the viola. Comment Luv acts strangely sometimes, doesn’t it? McCain has gone steadily downhill, I agree. But to be fair, everything is working against him. Ah well, there’s always 2012.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Can John McCain Teach Us about Branding?

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:07:39 +0000

(And, how weird, the CommentLuv didn't show up on that post, and on this one, it's about three posts old ... how strange!) --Debs last blog post..Business: It’s All in the Cards

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:05:40 +0000

Well, at least McCain’s scattered campaign inspired a good post … because, seriously, I can’t remember the last time I saw a campaign make so many stupid mistakes! And honestly, my opinion of McCain has gone way down since the campaign started.

(Oh, and you’re invoking stringed instruments in the “Don’t be negative” section.)

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:40:24 +0000

Hi Joanna, No, I think McCain is switching around because he's trying to be all things to all people or is all tactics and no strategy. The problem I see with your theory is that he seems so unnatural and uncomfortable, as though he's not being himself. Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Can John McCain Teach Us about Branding?