From AI in Politics to De Niro's Courthouse Meltdown...
A Wild Week in the World of Ctrl+Alt+Persuade
Unveiling the Impact of AI on Political Campaigns: A Conversation with Katie Harbath
I'm thrilled to introduce "Ctrl+Alt+Uncover: Revealing Insights from Experts on Politics, Media, and Beyond," a new series on ctrl+alt+persuade where we explore the most pressing issues and trends shaping the world of political communication.
In our inaugural episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Katie Harbath, former Facebook public policy director for global elections and a trailblazer in the world of AI and public affairs. Our conversation focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on political campaigns and the ethical considerations surrounding its use.
Today, I'm sharing a short, 5-minute segment from our conversation where we set the table for a broader conversation covering issues like:
The potential applications of AI in political campaigns, from data analysis to chatbots and beyond 🤖💬
The challenges and concerns associated with AI, such as deep fakes, misinformation, and the threat to election integrity 🚨🗳️
The crucial role of technology platforms in regulating AI use in politics and the challenges they face in combating deepfakes and misinformation 🛡️📱
The rise of alternative platforms like podcasts and newsletters for political messaging and their unique advantages in terms of trust and voter engagement 🎙️📧
The evolving landscape of political advertising, including product placement, influencer partnerships, and micro-targeting on platforms like Twitch and connected TV 📺🎮
This brief segment offers a glimpse into the wealth of insights and expertise that Katie brings to the conversation. Stay tuned for the full episode, which will be released in the next few days.
In the meantime, be sure to check out Katie's excellent publication, Anchor Change with Katie Harbath, for the latest on AI in politics and public affairs.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, and reactions in the comments below.
If a $3 Trillion Dollar Brand Can Apologize for Doing Something Dumb, Why Can’t Our Politicians?
In an era of instant outrage and 24/7 scrutiny, mistakes are bound to happen. Whether it's a tone-deaf ad campaign or a politician's offensive gaffe, the way these missteps are handled can make all the difference in maintaining trust and credibility with the public.
As someone who straddles the worlds of advertising and politics, I've been fascinated by the stark contrast in how these two industries approach apologies. Just in the past few weeks, we've seen brands like Apple and Bumble quickly acknowledge their mistakes, express remorse, and commit to doing better when they've faced backlash over insensitive or controversial content.
Apple's VP of marketing communications, Tor Myhren, promptly issued a statement saying, "We missed the mark with this video, and we're sorry," after their iPad ad appeared to trivialize traditional creative tools. Similarly, Bumble took responsibility for the harm caused by their campaign that seemed to shame women for choosing celibacy and pledged to make donations to support women and abuse victims.
On the other hand, we've watched politicians like Justice Samuel Alito, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-FL) deflect blame, refuse to take responsibility, and double down on offensive behavior when called out for their actions. Justice Alito blamed his wife for flying an upside-down American flag, a symbol of distress and protest used by Trump supporters, on their property.
Senator Menendez's lawyer pointed the finger at the senator's spouse and her supposed financial troubles when the senator was accused of accepting lavish gifts as part of an alleged bribery scheme. And Representative Greene responded with defiance, not an apology, after making a racist attack on a colleague's appearance during a heated exchange in the House.
Not to be outdone, the target of her insult, Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), took advantage of the viral exposure her spat with Greene created by launching a line of merchandise, parlaying the "bleach blonde, bad built, butch body" insult into a fundraising opportunity.
In an era where a genuine apology can be the difference between a momentary blip and a full-blown boycott, this lack of accountability from our elected officials is not just a sign of personal weakness, but a symptom of a deeper rot in our democracy.
These are just some of the issues I've been grappling with as I've dug deeper into this "apology gap." And I'm excited to share that I've written a full-length article exploring the structural factors – from gerrymandering to the influence of social media to the lack of accountability for Supreme Court justices – that contribute to this troubling double standard.
The piece, titled "The Art of the Apology: What Politicians Can Learn from Madison Avenue," will be published next week in a major outlet (stay tuned for more details!).
Analyze This: De Niro's Courthouse Meltdown
You might have caught wind of the recent Biden campaign press conference outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump's hush money trial just wrapped up. The star of the show? None other than 80-year-old acting legend Robert De Niro. Now, don't get me wrong, I love De Niro's work as much as the next guy, but whoever thought it was a good idea to have him headline this campaign stunt might want to think of a new gig.
Picture this: De Niro, surrounded by a gaggle of reporters and a bunch of rowdy Trump supporters, trying to read from a prepared statement while hurling expletives at the hecklers. It was like watching a scene from "Meet the Fockers" meets "Goodfellas" - except instead of being funny or dramatic, it was just cringeworthy.
I mean, nothing says "relatable to younger voters" like having an octogenarian Hollywood guy dropping F-bombs and calling the former president a "clown" and a "tyrant," right?
If the goal was to steel the spines of the already converted, mission accomplished. But if they were hoping to win over swing voters or appeal to a younger demographic, they might want to go back to the drawing board.
As for the ad featuring De Niro's narration, let's just say it's not exactly the stuff of "Raging Bull" or "The Godfather: Part II."
While I appreciate the attempt to highlight Trump's legal woes and antidemocratic tendencies, the ominous tone and heavy-handed messaging feel a bit overwrought.
In a political landscape where voters are hyper-concerned about kitchen table issues like the cost of living and abortion rights, this ad might not be the game-changer the Biden campaign is hoping for. That said, they do have lots to work with.
The “Go-to” Space for Political Ads is soon to be “No-more”
For as long as most political hacks can remember, political ads have shown up on Wheel of Fortune. The show was an absolute “must-buy” for media buyers, along with the local TV news, Jeopardy, and Oprah. Man, have things changed!
According to a recent article in The Bulwark, Wheel of Fortune's audience, which averages more than 8 million viewers per night, is highly concentrated in the 65+ age group, making it a prime target for political campaigns looking to reach the most dedicated bloc of active voters in the country.
With Sajak retiring on Friday, June 7, just as the general election kicks into high gear, the show's new host, Ryan Seacrest, will make his debut after the summer's major political events have concluded.
The Bulwark points out that a significant drop in "Wheel of Fortune"'s audience numbers could impact the show's political advertising revenue as campaigns reassess where they can get the best return on their ad spend.
Hold your horses!
With seniors expected to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the 2024 election, especially in key battleground states, campaigns will likely continue to invest heavily in reaching this demographic through Wheel of Fortune, regardless of who is at the helm.
In fact, the show may even see an increase in political ad revenue as campaigns double down on their efforts to sway senior voters. So, while the host may change, the wheel of political influence keeps on spinning!!
What’s Next?
Expect endless speculation about the impact of the Trump verdict on Election ‘24. We may cover it more in depth next week (if ad's run about it at least!) but if you really want to know what I think, you can reach out and I’m happy to share my thoughts.
Hint: it will take awhile to take hold in the minds of voters, despite what the talking heads may say.
Along with the new video podcast, stay tuned for some exciting new features at ctrl+alt+persuade.
And, huge “thank you’s” to my new paid subscribers!! There is much more to come.
PS - Share any ads or content (good, bad, or awful) here.
Also on the lookout for contributors. If you have something to share about the ad world and Election ‘24 reach out.