The New Campaign Calendar...

Decoding a Summer of Political Upheaval

Welcome back, Ctrl+Alt+Persuaders!

As we emerge from what might be the most turbulent month-plus in modern political history, it feels like the entire nation is collectively catching its breath. But just wait, the sprint to the White House is really on now.

And while many were soaking up the last rays of summer, or catching the kickoff of college football season (Fight On Trojans!✌️), it’s been a busy time around here hitting the airwaves and talking to reporters about exactly all the happenings in Election ‘24.

If you missed it, check out this conversation from just the other day with Spectrum News here in LA.

We covered:

• Why both Harris and Trump are selling 'change' - and how they're doing it

• The power behind campaign slogans like "We're not going back" and "Make America Great Again"

• How campaigns are targeting specific voter groups with phrases like "Dobbs dads" and the "Kamala crash"

• The ongoing battle over music at political rallies and why it matters

Is this officially a “humble brag?” I suppose it is but hey, what are you gonna do, it’s show business!!

Meanwhile, we just hit Labor Day—usually seen as the kickoff for political ad season—but this year is something entirely different. We've been writing about massive ad spending since at least January and you, savvy reader, have been right there with us, watching this unprecedented early blitz unfold.

Now, a recent report by Ad Impact shows just how much we are actually looking at in an excellent new report we will dissect below.

Want a teaser? It’s a LOT.

And this is just since Super Tuesday, in seven battleground states alone.

From AdImpact: The Play for the White House

We will take a comprehensive look at AdImpact's latest report on campaign spending and ad strategies. This isn't just about numbers – it's about understanding the new rhythms of political persuasion in a landscape where the campaign never really stops.

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But that's not all. We're also going to pull back the curtain on some fascinating—and potentially misguided—attempts by Hollywood and Madison Avenue to play the political campaign game.

Case in point: Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman's recent "Proud to Be a Kamala Man" video.

It's clever (sort of), it's cheeky (I guess?), and it...completely misses the mark with voters in battleground states who actually need convincing. See, this game’s not about clicks for the sake of clicks, it's about persuasion, mobilization, and messaging all targeted at a tiny sliver of voters that will decide this election.

You can check out the video and other recent attempts at political persuasion that might do more damage than intended below.

And of course, we’ll share just a sample of the hundreds of ads that you are most likely not seeing — unless you live in one of the seven newly minted swing states that will decide this election!

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Now, a quick word before we dive deeper.

This issue marks a new chapter for Ctrl+Alt+Persuade. For the first time, we're introducing premium content behind a paywall. Why? Because bringing you this level of in-depth analysis, including watching hundreds of political ads takes time, resources, and even a strong stomach. 😵‍💫

To keep delivering this crucial coverage of an election that could shape our nation for generations to come, we need your help, and our goal is to gain twenty-five new paid subscribers this week!

By becoming a paid subscriber, you're not just getting access to exclusive content – you're investing in thorough, insightful political analysis that cuts through the noise.

Are you ready to:

• Unpack the real story behind $778 million in campaign spending?

• Get an insider's perspective on why Hollywood's political efforts might backfire?

• Understand the strategies that will actually move the needle in battleground states?

Then join us as a paid subscriber today.

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