Unconventional Tactics, AI Threats, and Felony Fallout
What could go wrong??
Hey all — happy Thursday. Just over 150 days until the election.
🎙️We've got another segment from our interview with former Facebook policy director Katie Harbath, who shares her thoughts on the unconventional strategies campaigns are using to reach voters in the lead-up to the 2024 election. 🗳️
Plus, we dive into the shocking report on how AI voice cloning is being weaponized to spread election disinformation, and explore some ads already running that are focused on Trump's felony conviction. 👨🏻⚖️
And if that wasn't enough, we've got the latest on the ad wars heating up in key battleground states like Montana and North Carolina. 💰
Ctrl+Alt+Innovate: How Campaigns are Adapting to Reach Voters in a Changing Media Landscape
Excited to share part two of my conversation with
, former Facebook public policy director and expert on the intersection of politics, technology, and social media. In this clip, we dive deeper into the evolving landscape of political advertising and explore some unconventional strategies campaigns are using to reach voters in the lead-up to the 2024 election.As traditional social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram limit the reach of political content, campaigns are forced to think outside the box and explore alternative channels to get their message out.
Katie and I discuss the growing importance of platforms like podcasts and Twitch, which offer unique opportunities for candidates to connect with niche audiences and build trust with supporters.
“For people who are running campaigns, they’ve been having to rethink their strategy of how much you put into organic content. You're seeing a lot of campaigns shift to influencers, potentially to help get information out there, trying to think about different platforms in which to use to push out content.”
Katie Harbath
We also examine the role of product placement and influencer partnerships, as well as the enduring power of traditional media like radio, billboards, and connected TV.
See More on Our New YouTube Channel! 👀
If you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in political advertising, be sure to subscribe to our brand new YouTube channel!
In addition to exclusive interviews like this one, we'll be sharing in-depth analysis, commentary, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of political persuasion.
Check out our first ad analysis…just don’t judge the editing.
🚨 From Scarlett Johansson to Joe Biden: AI Voice Cloning Sparks Controversy and Concern 🎙️🗳️
You’ve no doubt heard about the recent flap between OpenAI and actress Scarlett Johansson, where the company's new Sky voice sounded suspiciously similar to the star's iconic performance in the movie Her.
ScoJo was reportedly outraged by the similarity, and now researchers have confirmed that Sky's voice is a near-perfect match for the actress. But this controversy isn't just about celebrity voices – it's a stark reminder of the power and potential dangers of AI voice cloning technology.
Case in point: a shocking new report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate reveals that publicly available AI voice-cloning tools can be easily weaponized to create convincing election lies in the voices of top American and European politicians.
The researchers found that in 80% of cases, these tools generated believable voice clones of politicians saying things like "election officials count each of my votes twice" (fake Biden) and warning citizens not to vote due to bomb threats (fake Macron).
It's a brave new world and as we hurtle towards the 2024 elections, we'll need to be more vigilant than ever in the face of AI-generated deception – whether it's coming from Hollywood or the campaign trail.
I talk about some of these challenges in my full conversation with Katie, and have an article in the works that highlights the dangers facing the US and countries around the world unless AI and social media platforms beef up security measures, increase ad transparency, and lawmakers step up and establish tougher standards.
Stay tuned!
🚨 Trump's Felony Conviction: Game-Changer or Just Another Speedbump? 🗳️💸
Well, folks, it finally happened: Donald Trump is now a convicted felon. But will this bombshell development derail his 2024 presidential bid, or is it just be another bump in the road for the Teflon Don?
Let's take a look at some of the early reactions and what they might mean for the ad wars ahead.
First up, we've got the Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT) PAC, which made a six-figure buy after the verdict featuring anti-Trump Republicans across key swing states. The ads showcase folks like Donna R., who declares, "I am a former Trump voter. I won't vote for a convicted felon."
Unclear whether these ads will resonate. The emphasis on outdoor (OOH) is an interesting approach but is just part of a $50 million nationwide advertising campaign showcasing the voices of former Trump voters making the case against him.
The campaign includes more than 220 video testimonials from anti-Trump Republicans telling their stories, which are being deployed as targeted advertisements in key swing states.
There's been no shortage of polling data looking to capture voter sentiment on this issue, but as we said the day of the verdict, it will take awhile to take hold in the minds of voters despite what the talking heads may say.
However, one recent poll does show just how tricky it will be to move Trump voters on this issue. Take a look at the massive shift in Republicans' attitudes towards having a convicted felon as president.
“In April, just 17% of Republicans told us that convicted felons should be allowed to be president. The share of Republicans holding this belief rose to 58% in our latest survey, conducted after Trump became a convicted felon and with a slightly different wording on the question. That marks a 41-point increase over two months. Among Americans overall, 14% said felons should be allowed to become president in April, compared to 34% who now say this.”
That said, the battle in swing states will be to move independents and GOP voters on the margins so even a single-digit swing could make the difference.
Dateline Montana:💰The Ads Keep Coming📺
Meanwhile, Montana’s Senate race promises to be the most hotly contested battle in the country. The ad spending in Montana is just insane. According to AdImpact, over $110M in advertising has been reserved in Montana, home to all of 588,000 likely voters in November.
I’m betting the “over” on how much will be spent when its all said and done. Anyone want to take me up on that bet?
The Messaging
GOP Nominee Tim Sheehy came out of the gates immediately after the verdict with an ad accusing Democratic incumbent Jon Tester of supporting a “state sponsored political persecution led by Joe Biden and the radical left.”
Meantime, Tester is taking a pretty conventional route with his spots, including this ad called “Generations” where he talked about defending Montana’s way of life.
Keep an eye out for the mud to fly any minute! 🙀
In North Carolina, Another Issue Takes Center Stage
Another major battleground is North Carolina, where the nasty battle for Governor may have major implications in the Race for the White House. Democratic nominee Josh Stein is pummeling his opponent, Mark Robinson (R-NC) for his extremely hard-line position on reproductive choice.
In what may be the biggest test in the nation of the power of the abortion issue, dems are hoping this race can also help swing the state for Biden, which would be a massive electoral college win.
What’s Next?
At the top of the ticket, debate over the meaning of Trump’s guilty verdict will rage on, but before you know it a Presidential Debate (in June!!) will have the attention of the entire nation.
In the meantime, make sure to share this blog with interested friends and colleagues, and check out our new YouTube channel for updates on the latest ads and more interviews.
Stay tuned!!
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.