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Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
Wed Jul 29, 2020, 07:55 AM Jul 2020

Another thing Democrats need to learn from The Lincoln Project [View all]

By now I am sure there are several posts on the Greatest Page linking to the Susan Collin's ad that was dropped this morning at 7:04 a.m. EDT. It's a thing of beauty. Their two teaser tweets last night were delicious.

But what is equally important to note is that The Press Herald in Portland, ME posted an article about the ad at 7:00 a.m. and updated the article with the embedded tweet some time between 7:04 and 7:29 a.m.

The Lincoln Project may be seen as masters of social media and the evocative video ad, but that isn't where their true genius lies. Let the timing of this sink in. It's masterful, and we'd be insane not to take note.




ETA: For clarification, down ballot Democrats typically get little to no support or training regarding the broader context in which to drop social media. The majority of the commentary I have seen about the Lincoln Project has focused on the amazing impact of their ads and not how they also dramatically coordinate the drop.

It's not just a matter of creating and posting a phenomenal ad and hoping the impact gives it viral traction. It's not just sending out a press release about the ad. It's about cultivating the contacts and relationships to ensure the press release is used and used in a way you want it to be. It's about determining which media outlets will be the most effective and impactful in spreading the message to a particularly targeted audience. It's about timing the various media pieces to the extent possible prior to publication.

The newspaper posted a story minutes before the ad was actually released. The newspaper is an important one in Maine owned by Maine Today Media - a privately owned publisher of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine, based in the state's largest city, Portland, and includes the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram, the state's largest newspaper.

These are the steps Democrats sometimes skip, take for granted, or are unaware of how it can both amplify and target the message. That part shouldn't get lost in the "wow" factor of the ad itself.

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Concerned. Verklempt. Worried. Bothered. Ohhh, Susan. Funtatlaguy Jul 2020 #1
How to send a press release? WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #2
A wee bit more than that. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #3
Help me out. WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #9
"It's about cultivating the contacts and relationships to ensure the press release is used and used WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #12
Yes. It is basic PR. That's the point. Squinch Jul 2020 #15
Oh, I got confused when basic PR was described as "pure genius." WhiskeyGrinder Jul 2020 #17
Thanks for putting me in my place. Have a nice day. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #19
The very basic sonnet form... MrModerate Jul 2020 #27
And I hope our side LEARNS from them. calimary Jul 2020 #55
As a comfort, keep in mind that... MrModerate Jul 2020 #57
The Genius Part to Me Was Telegraphing Yesterday That The Ad Would Drop This Morning Indykatie Jul 2020 #21
Yes exactly. This ad is nice for us to watch. It is ESSENTIAL that Mainers watch it. The fact Squinch Jul 2020 #26
Great ad Sherman A1 Jul 2020 #4
How to reach people? Roy Rolling Jul 2020 #5
You're saying the speed of social media beats traditional press releases? lagomorph777 Jul 2020 #6
No, that isn't what I'm saying. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #7
Ok, I seem to be missing your point - can you elaborate? lagomorph777 Jul 2020 #8
I edited the OP for clarification. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #11
OK thanks for the media education. lagomorph777 Jul 2020 #13
I honestly don't know if something happened in Maine or with the Collins' campaign... Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #31
Timing and rollout. ancianita Jul 2020 #10
Counter-propaganda works when immediate, clear, on point, & targets audience that got propaganda Bernardo de La Paz Jul 2020 #14
Not sure why people are resisting your message on this, but you are absolutely right. Squinch Jul 2020 #16
Thank you. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #18
That is painfully obvious, and we only have to look at the Lincoln Project and the splash they Squinch Jul 2020 #20
+1000 CaptainTruth Jul 2020 #37
R's excel at controlling the narrative. Usually with deceptive messaging. JudyM Jul 2020 #43
Well said. I totally agree. BComplex Jul 2020 #51
+1000 smirkymonkey Jul 2020 #24
Advertising is easier to understand if you are a sociopath PurgedVoter Jul 2020 #42
I don't think it is so much resisting drmeow Jul 2020 #45
aka, "When you're hot, you're hot." MrModerate Jul 2020 #22
:) Agree. But if everything goes as we need it to, Hortensis Jul 2020 #25
Not to mention that Dems need a principled opposition... MrModerate Jul 2020 #28
No kidding! Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #30
Like great generals always prepared and ready for attack. Hortensis Jul 2020 #23
Been saying this for years... WinstonSmith4740 Jul 2020 #29
I think you're exactly right on this sammythecat Jul 2020 #58
And remember: On January 21, they start dropping these on us. marble falls Jul 2020 #32
A comprehensive, well-thought our approach is usually most effective dlk Jul 2020 #33
Another aspect of the timing GusBob Jul 2020 #34
There's a definite advantage to having material that writes itself. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #35
This is an excellent post and spot on DIVINEprividence Jul 2020 #36
I've said it before & I'll say it again, the Dem party (in general) is not good at messaging. CaptainTruth Jul 2020 #38
Democrats can be too pc and nice at times DIVINEprividence Jul 2020 #39
You must be experiencing a bit of exasperation from some of the posts below. The LP PatrickforO Jul 2020 #40
I completely agree with you DenverJared Jul 2020 #41
The right in this country drmeow Jul 2020 #44
Ok Pacifist Patriot! We hire YOU!!! BComplex Jul 2020 #46
. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #47
Is that a "no"? BComplex Jul 2020 #48
Knock it off please. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #49
I just got back here with time to read the entire thread. BComplex Jul 2020 #53
Thanks, I appreciate that. Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #54
I didn't realize you had actually worked on the ground with this. BComplex Jul 2020 #56
WTF? Wednesdays Jul 2020 #50
This message was self-deleted by its author Pacifist Patriot Jul 2020 #52
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