Obama's Super Bowl Ad: "We Can Change The World"
Here it is, Barack Obama's ad set to run on various local TV stations during the Super Bowl:
Given the fact that the ad is aimed at Super Bowl watchers, it makes some sense to put the visual focus of the ad on the massive crowds that show up at his rallies — with nearly the same overall vibe as a sporting event.
In short, this ad is probably not meant to be a pitch to women voters.
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Hey,
It got this middle aged woman plenty pumped up!! By the way, here in Upstate NY, got canvassed by two over 50 Obamaites walking the block this aternoon. All we got from Clinton was a os Robotcall from Chucky Schumer.
Yes we can. I have so totally drunk te Obama koolaid.
February 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have presidential primary ads ever aired during the superbowl before?
February 3, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice ad. I don't know what it will mean to football fanatics, but I like it. I'm thinking it should have had more beer and tits. Just a gut feeling though.
February 3, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno, Eric. I'd say the emphasis on this ad is on slick packaging and simplistic slogans - and, most of all, on conveying a vibe. After all, this ad isn't going to be weighed against other political commercials; it's going to have to stack up against Bud Light and GoDaddy.
I think that provides a clue about the target demographic. Obama isn't going after men, in particular, he's going after the disconnected and the disaffected. Who, after all, is likely to be swayed by a 30-second spot in the Super Bowl? Not TPM readers. Not the millions of Americans who've already made up their minds. No, Obama's targeting the swing voters, and perhaps more importantly, the 'rarely-vote'ers. This ad is designed to persuade those who might otherwise tune out that Obama represents something fundamentally different. And I'd say it does a pretty good job of that.
February 3, 2008 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the video I'd love to see aired on the superbowl. Of course it would cost 14 million, but wouldn't it be a sight to behold?
It is getting viral on the net and ABC News Now did a story on it. The Obama Campaign even put it on their opening page, though it was created by music industry supporters not connected with the campaign. I don't know anyone who has seen it that did not have a dry eye by the end.
You guys have to check it out:
www.yeswecansong.com
February 3, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, this ad is going after apathetic voters, perhaps apathetic youths in particular. What states is this airing in?
February 3, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
This has actually been airing in Utah for some weeks now. First ad of his I saw actually.
February 3, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw it this morning on TV in the DC area. It's clearly not meant to be a "SuperBowl" ad in the vein of Apple or Budweiser.
It's a very good ad, IMO.
Cheers,
Scott.
February 3, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just listening to the soundtrack of this add tells you its aimed at white voters under 30. I actually wish they'd do something a little cooler. Obama's message is so good and spot on for the times, it seems they ought to be able to convey it more effectvely and powerfully. God knows with the support of the creative class out there, they certainly have access to better minds than the ones who created this spot. I agree with the mageduley above who mentioned the will i. am "yes we can" video. That video has some resonance.
February 3, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
This ad is actually just a recycled version of an ad from many many months ago(near the beginning of campaign).
The song is "Oregon" by Dan Zweben.
http://www.myspace.com/danzweben
I like the guitar riff. (Dan is feeling pretty awesome that his song is playing during the Super Bowl. Free publicity. . .)
February 3, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not impressed. Compared to Super Bowl ads, this is a waste. And no story or message. Surely he could have done better.
February 3, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're just a miserable person, aren't you? No wonder Hillary's support is waning, if she has balls of joy such as yourself on board.
February 3, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw this here in DC this morning during Meet the Press. I'm not on the Obama bandwagon yet, but I think this ad is pretty good. Its inspirational.
I like the fact that he mentions the challenges we face in terms of the environment.
Clinton vs. Obama on the environment
greenpieceblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/obama-vs-clinton-on-environment.html
February 3, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"yes we can' video is about 4min. 30sec. long, I think it is hard to fit into 30sec. teevee spot.I've sent "yes we can" to as many people as I can, I suggest, yes you can,too.
February 3, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you post something about Obama getting the endorsement of Maria Shriver just now at the rally at UCLA. Or is that not newsy enough for you guys?
February 3, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
In line with the topic, this is an important post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chuck-lippstreu/on-youth-voters-bill-cli_b_84671.html
Thanks for posting Will.i.am.'s Yes We Can song here as well.
And did anyone else just watch C-SPAN's coverage of Oprah and Caoline Kennedy and Michelle Barack in California just now?
Guess who showed up?
February 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
In line with the topic, this is an important post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chuck-lippstreu/on-youth-voters-bill-cli_b_84671.html
Thanks for posting Will.i.am.'s Yes We Can song here as well.
And did anyone else just watch C-SPAN's coverage of Oprah and Caoline Kennedy and Michelle Barack in California just now?
Guess who showed up?
February 3, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Matt,
Superbowl ads are not supposed to resemble, in any way, C-SPAN. I think the whole point of having a Superbowl ad was so that the MSM can talk about the fact that Obama has a Superbowl ad, so in that sense, it serves its purpose.
February 3, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
February 3, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greatest Super Bowl ever.
Someone needs to put Payton Manning in a "Yes We Can" 20 spot.
February 3, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Err...Eli might be more appropriate now that I think about it, but you know what I mean...
February 3, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
fingers crossed
Obama 08/12
February 3, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watched the whole game in the Boston market and didn't see it. Maybe I was overserved but I am 99% sure it wasn't on. I hope my donation didnt go to paying the Fox affiliate for an ad that didn't run...
Hating the world right now...
February 3, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Although this may be a little substantive for a discussion of the Obama brand. Here, in a nutshell, is why I think Obama is a manufactured candidate on the order of an American Idol or, in the old days, the Monkeys.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/us/politics/03exelon.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1202043964-I1g8uG5MeJyjEXwlb2KCfQ&oref=slogin
The NYT takes a look at Obama in action. This piece has it all. His distortion of his record, his cover-up of donations from corporations that are able to influence his judgment, his buckling under pressure from corporate America.
February 4, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink