It's not a phenomenon. It's a movement.

As most people know, I've been a supporter of Barack Obama's campaign for president since he gave his announcement speech in Springfield, IL. (http://www.barackobama.com/2007/02/10/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_11.php). It was a speech that spoke to the disillusionment that myself and my generation feel towards the political status quo, and an invitation for all of us to work together to remake the world we live in.

However, I'm not speaking purely as a supporter in this post. I'm merely making some observations about what some see as an odd phenomenon of a campaign. A few of my family members have called recently expressing amazement that Obama has been able to overtake Hillary Clinton in the early primaries. A few have caught his soundbites, a few have even watched highlights of his speeches and they often say that his rhetoric is too lofty and non-specific. They question his chops and experience. They wonder why he's not more specific in his pronouncements, but I think this is precisely why he is succeeding...

There is a place in politics for establishing the grand themes of an election. These create the narrative and backbone of your candidacy. Campaign speeches are not policy speeches. Campaign speeches are meant to inspire, provoke, and allow you to connect with a candidate on an emotional level. They are not meant to be laundry lists of policy ideas. They are meant to encourage your support for a given candidate. To make you feel like you have a part in this process that so often seems removed from the reality of our every day lives.

It seems interesting to me that at the point in which Obama's campaign sagged (especially in media attention) was during the summer. This coincided with his emphasis on policy specifics and issue-based pronouncements. His speech to automakers in Detroit regarding fuel consumption, and his speech to the Council on Global Affairs in Chicago regarding his vision for a Foreign Policy & Security -- while detailed and important got limited coverage.

The truth is that politics is much like advertising. First you must establish your message and your brand. Barack Obama's message is that he wants to unite Americans to tackle the difficult problems were facing and transcend partisan gridlock. His brand is hopeful, energetic and most importantly authentic. My generation (those under 35) have grown up in an age of inauthenticity. We've been blasted with advertising since we were out of the womb and have a sixth sense for pandering. So when we see someone who is honest about their past (even the unflattering aspects), who takes stands on unpopular issues despite the potential consequences (eg. Iraq War circa 2003) and who avoids the standard political gamesmanship of attack politics -- we take notice.

This approach has also created a mobilization of volunteers that is unprecedented. Thousands log on to his website every day and use his online phone banking system to call their local peers to keep everyone informed of the campaign. Speeches and articles are distributed, events arranged and a community is built. As we saw in Iowa, the result of this mobilization is unprecedented turn out.

People under 35 were never lazy. They were merely disillusioned with a poll driven politics that smelled of political calculation, and reeked of inauthenicity. They needed someone to organize them under a positive cause and teach them how to reach out and organize their peers.

Who better for this task than a former community organizer who had to overcome the hardcore disillusionment of the poorest communities in Chicago and convince an alienated populace that they could make a positive difference in their lives if only they were willing to stand together united as one.

While the pundits act suprised and others just now take notice -- this is not something that happened over night. This is a movement that was built through the hard work of thousands of volunteers and inspired by a Candidate who has never forgotten who he is or how hard the challenges are that stand before us.

New Getty Images Website

Just got an email. Looks like getty images is getting a brand new site.

Now sure when it's going live, but check out the preview below.

New Getty Images

Overall the site is a success. The AJAX search box on homepage is a bit forced, but forgiveably functional. The larger images and new width are more suitable to today's landscape. The new search interface actually seems to take some cues from istockphoto (which getty acquired last year).

I'm not sure it will dramatically improve my user experience, but I think it's a solid iterative upgrade. Design is freshened up and there are few usability tweaks.

I give it a 8/10 ;-)

There's a new typeface in town

Roadsigns are about to get a makover. The federal highway association has preliminarily approved a new typeface for our interstate road signage. The new typeface is called ClearviewHwy, and was designed for maximum legibility and ease of recognition. The type designer was James Montalbano.

Overall it reminds me a bit of a love child of Adobe Jansen & FF DIN, but it's really a well executed typeface. Kerning is a bit odd in some of the examples, but it's still better than the old FHWA Series E type in my opinion.

I wonder just how many folks will actually notice once the change takes place? If I see it out of state (not coming to GA anytime soon from what I understand) I'll take a photo and post.



You can learn more about the project below:

http://clearviewhwy.com/ResearchAndDesign/

Corporate Theme Songs

The always reliable copyranter pointed out a recent post at night crush about corporate theme songs. Check em out. I'm playing these at the next neboweb holiday party.

The worlds worst corporate theme songs

Can you feel the energy? It's brand-f*cking-tastic!

The 12 types of Ads

Great article by Seth Stevenson in slate today. He basically reviews the findings by Tedd Gunn that all advertising breaks down into 12 master categories/forms. He also has a great slide show accompaniment

A summary from the slide show is below:

12 Universal Ad Types

-Demo of product: ie. iphone launch commercials

-Show the need/problem: ie. cingular dropped calls

-Symbol, analogy, or exaggerated graphic to show problem: Lamisil's nasty foot germ.

-Comparison: charles schwab/talk to chuck (my broker doesn't listen)

-Exemplary Story: situation where product use saves - VW crash during idle chat

-Benefit causes story - ad back-to-front, by imagining a trail of events that might be caused by the product's benefit - Women chasing and tackling Axe Deodorant User

-Presenter/Tell-it - UPS or old school "Aleve worked for me" testimonial

-On Going Character: Geico Caveman, Insurance guy that was president in TV show "24"

-Symbol, analogy, or exaggerated graphic: Demonstrates a benefit of the product with symbolism. Meet the slowskys for comcast high speed.

-Associated User Imagery: The advertiser showcases the type of people it hopes you'll associate with the product. Nike/Gatorade athletes working out in rain etc.

-Unique Personality Property: These spots highlight something indigenous to the product that will make it stand out. Dyson Vacuums

-Parody or Borrowed Format: Coke side of life; grand theft auto made nice

Check it out here..

New article coming soon :-)

Sorry updates have trailed off a bit. Between planning a wedding, out-of-town guests and running neboweb things have been a bit busy :-)

New article will be coming this friday.

Cartoon Frog Wisdom

Thought I'd share this little nugget of wisdom with everyone.