Comments on: Fill-in-the-blank memo: What our marketing team can learn from the Obama campaign

By: Lola Audu

Lola Audu — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:33:36 +0000

This is one of the most insightful analysis that I’ve read. I’m particularily intrigued by the discussion on narrative and how brand marketing within many industries has focused on ‘Me.’ The generation which Obama connected with as young Americans, the Millennials, are sometimes referred to as the ‘We’ generation. That’s definitely the take away about today’s emerging consumer.

As a real estate broker, I’m struck by how counter-intuitive much of our industry branding has been in focusing on all the results that ‘I…the Producer/Rainmaker’ have achieved. While this style of marketing may have stoked the ego, it increasingly became a narrative that lacked relevance and failed to resonate in an environment in which a specific and clear Value Proposition to the consumer remained vaguely defined. You’ve made the think today…Thanks.

By: Adam Kmiec

Adam Kmiec — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:39:51 +0000

Amongst all the fanfare, there is one thing Obama had that nobody else had: Money. He had lots of money. It allowed him to take chances. It allowed him to invest everywhere. He could out-shout when needed. He could buy a 30 minute broadcast ad

Was his campaign great? Yes. By having a strong base, he was able to wrangle a lot of cash. With a lot of cash, he could out maneuver everyone.

By: Nathan Ketsdever

Nathan Ketsdever — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:50:01 +0000

I think some “brands” let their narrative be static. If Apple had done that we would never have had the Ipod. Also, Obama did allow a degree of flexibility–particularly on the drilling issue (I’ll consider drilling in response to more renewable incentives).

I think given the 2 loses in a row previous to the election, which rocked the Dems they were more united than the GOP which was unraveled before the election and McCain never really recovered. He was never at ease speaking to both sides of the GOP.

Ultimately, I think Obama’s pragmatic authenticity, inspiring vision, and galvanizing story helped propel the Dems to victory. And this effect was amplified online, particularly in the key segments he won. Great post.