Building Brand Steele

7:08 pm EST March 27th, 2009 | Republicans | 13 Comments

Does anyone remember the DNC running ads with Howard Dean’s face this prominent after Dean was elected party chair?

Its totally possible they did, but I don’t remember it. In fact, I think its pretty unusual to have a party chairman on your web ads. Usually its someone like the president if you’re the party in power, or the face of the opposition.

Then again, party chairman are usually interested in winning races for the party and not elevating their own profiles…

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13 Responses to “Building Brand Steele”

  1. ed says:
    March 27, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    He’s Hank Kingsley. Maybe he should start shouting “Hey now!” at people. That would bring even more funny to an already wicked humorous situation.

  2. zenyenta says:
    March 27, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Michael Steele is working for Michael Steele, but that’s totally fair because he knows he’s being used. At least I think he does. I’m sure the photo suits both hilarious agendas.

  3. Sean D. Martin says:
    March 27, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Years ago a company I worked with changed the design of their product’s box so that a person’s face filled about 80% of the space. It made it seem far less like a cold product and more like something people could associate with. I would expect much the same idea going on here. “Put a human face on it.”

    But that might run counter to the “Steele = self-aggrandizing in all things” meme your working on.

  4. Oliver Willis says:
    March 27, 2009 at 10:25 pm

    Well the question is – which human face? As I said in the post, the party in power, well – at least when the President is popular, will slap the President’s face on everything like this.

    If you’re out of power, or your leader is unpopular, you use the opposition boogeyman. For our side, putting Bush or Cheney on stuff was a big motivator. For the GOP its people like Clinton, and now Pelosi.

    Like I said, my memory is fuzzy enough where I’m willing to accept if Dean was on DNC advertising. I just don’t remember it.

  5. jr says:
    March 27, 2009 at 10:28 pm

    Michael Steele is a mark for himself. He probably pleasures himself in front of the mirror.

  6. C.S.Strowbridge says:
    March 27, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    “But that might run counter to the “Steele = self-aggrandizing in all things” meme your working on.”

    Dean said he wasn’t running for president.
    Steele said he might be running for president.

    Putting a human face on the RNC could be the reason they are doing this, but given how much time Steele has spent in the spotlight… I don’t think it is unfair to think otherwise.

    “I just don’t remember it.”

    Nor do I, but that’s not saying much. I don’t pay attention to ads.

  7. Sean D. Martin says:
    March 28, 2009 at 12:46 am

    OW: If you’re out of power, or your leader is unpopular, you use the opposition boogeyman. For our side, putting Bush or Cheney on stuff was a big motivator. For the GOP its people like Clinton, and now Pelosi.

    When you’re trying to rile them up to “oppose them”, sure. But not when you’re message is more of “join us”.

    Anyone other than Steele they could use to attract folks? Given some of the recent news he’s made, maybe not a good choice. (Go with Palin, maybe? :) ) My recommendation would be to go with “just folks”. A variety of “regular people” to show potential recruits “We’re like you”.

  8. Jaim says:
    March 28, 2009 at 4:10 am

    If you look closely enough, you can see Rush’s ball indentations on Steele’s chin.

  9. Bruce says:
    March 28, 2009 at 8:29 am

    Well, it’s hard for me to see how putting Steele’s face on the ad appeals to the likely donor base. The base is corporate America and a moderately racist Southern and theocratic core. Neither core loves Steele.

  10. Bruce Henry says:
    March 28, 2009 at 10:02 am

    “Moderately racist?”

    I think I know what you mean, but I’m not sure I’d have phrased it that way. “Bigots-in-denial,” maybe.

  11. Duros62 says:
    March 28, 2009 at 11:06 am

    But not when you’re message is more of “join us”.

    then they should go with this guy.

    But hey, I’ll bite. What’s new about the New RNC?*

    *side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, or vertigo. Serious side effects may occur. If you experience a rapid decline in your congintive abilities or a sudden drop in IQ, please contact your doctor immediately as this may become permanent. Keep out of reach of children or animals.

  12. Quaker in a Basement says:
    March 29, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Well, here’s the basic marketing question: the apparent purpose of the ad is to get people to “join the Republican National Committee.”

    To whom is this ad addressed?

  13. Duros62 says:
    March 30, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    To whom is this ad addressed?

    Republicans?