On Tuesday, the Conservative Party launched a new series of advertisements, which will air on mainstream television and radio stations, which attack Liberal leader Stephane Dion.
Today, the Young Liberals of Canada announced a plan to hit back but do not have the money to buy TV and radio ads. Instead, they will use online services such as Google’s YouTube, Facebook and a collection of sympathetic bloggers and instant messaging services.
Some of the Liberal ads (left) pick up on ads run by Apple Computer “I”m a Mac. I’m a PC.” In the YLC incarnation, “I’m a Liberal. I’m a P.C.”.
Here’s an excerpt from the Young Liberal press release:
“Look, it's no secret the Conservatives are a wealthy party who can afford all kinds of fancy marketing executives and focus groups,” admits (Youth National Director Scott) Pickup, “but within the Liberal family we've got talent, we've got dedication, and we've got a clear vision for Canada of which we're proud.”
The three parody ads will be promoted through a multi-pronged approach that utilizes youngliberals.ca, Facebook, youtube.com, instant-messenger programs, and bloggers. This cohesive online campaign provides an opportunity for members and supporters to disseminate and share their messages quickly and affordably.
“The internet isn't a magical playground in a computer,” says Youth Campaign Director and Online Campaign Co-chair Denise Brunsdon. “This is another layer of social interaction, and a far cheaper method of communication than t.v. and radio.”
“Our commission has always worked on a shoestring budget. I'm constantly impressed by what a few smart Liberals can accomplish when we put their heads together,” agreed Young Liberal President Cory Pike.
I wouldn't call it “fighting on the cheap” Call it a grassroots response or the grassroots fighting back, and that would be more accurate. You're making it sound like its a disgrace for these folks to be doing this, when quite frankly, in my biaqsed POV, their ads are way better then the Tories multi-million dollar efforts.
Also.. you're not completely correct on the TV ads part. They've got a “Donate to get this on TV” on their main website, and its been stated if they get enough donations, they will run one or more of these ads on TV if they get enough contributions to do so.
The lib insider states:
“Look, it's no secret the Conservatives are a wealthy party who can afford all kinds of fancy marketing executives and focus groups,” admits (Youth National Director Scott) Pickup, “but within the Liberal family we've got talent, we've got dedication, and we've got a clear vision for Canada of which we're proud.”
Actually, political parties now rely on small individual contributions to raise money. Gone are the days of big corportations supporting the Liberal party.
If the cons are wealthy and the libs are broke it reflects that the libs either don't have grass roots support or the libs supporters are too cheap to fess up the $$. In other words they “are entitled to their entiltlements, as a once famous liberal cabinet minister stated.
bob