Don't Vote. Do Sing and Dance.

Bravo to AARP's current "Don't Vote" campaign urging less ignorant ballots, more informed voters. As they aptly say, "vote the issues, not the personality". First, check out this 30-second ditty:

Notice how they wrapped their message in entertainment? They make a show of telling. Their site also point viewers to a handy-dandy map that connects users with information on how representatives in their respective states stand on the issues--as well as voter's guides, also by state. You needn't be 50+, check out the site for info. on the issues in your state.

Not for nothin', AARP is the largest circulated magazine in the country (20 million). With over 90-million U.S. residents over the age of 50 and someone turning 50 every 7 seconds, this 50+ market has power. And social security is but one issue AARP needs to generate INFORMED awareness around. Others? Medicare, long-term care, economic security and healthcare reform. Keep your eye on them as they'll be one of the busiest marketing machines going in '07.

On a political-news note, wanna watch some good TV at the top of this week? Stay glued to CNN, Fox or MSNBC (pick your poison). Nothing quite as interesting as watching the politicos and pundits battle it out during the last 24 hrs to poll time. And they say we women hold cat fights.

P.S.: All that said, I DO hope expect to see all you bloggers at the polls this Tuesday for mid-term elections. Sounds silly, but I'm always so proud of wearing my "I voted" sticker they give me at the polls. So vote, OK? Singing and dancing is optional.

Comments

[Paul McEnany]

I can't wait to hit the polls. Unfortunately, I'm in Texas, so I might as well write it down on a cocktail napkin and throw it out the window, but hey, it'll make me feel better, at least.

Here's hopin' we're wearing smiles Tuesday night!

[Lewis Green]

Paul,

That's the funniest comment I've heard this year.

CK,

Thanks for the inspiration. This is one AARPer who will vote.

[Cam Beck]

I, for one, am relieved to see this sort of campaign become mainstream. Too often we are told by people on both sides of the aisle that the "most important" thing you can do is vote, when in fact an uninformed vote is in many ways worse than not voting at all.

On my way to work this morning, I heard it again. Yeesh.

As you pointed out, AARP definitely has a dog in this hunt regarding Social Security, and I'm duely impressed by the predominantly nonpartisan approach they've taken with this website.

They do give their opinion on the matters in question (and only their opinion regarding what they think should happen with Social Security), but when it gets down to the candidates, they just link out to news stories.

Kudos to them. I think they did a good job of conveying their position without appearing manipulative -- an uncommon show of honesty which, were they lacking in that area, could have gotten them into trouble.

[SHDenny]

Gee, you'd think by these comments that BIAS has crept into the political process and we're being swayed by political spin and negative ads...

I share the optimism that we should make informed votes. I share the 'cocktail napkin' dispair (I live in Santa Cruz, CA, slightly left of Ortega's soon-to-be Nicaragua), too.

But the big take away for me is that using entertainment to get the point across moves the needle. It works. Making your point isn't good enough -- if you don't engage your audience, you're talking to yourself.

[Gavin Heaton]

OK ... I can't vote, as I live in the 51st state and we have yet to receive voting rights.

However, I DO hope to see some post-vote photos, and at least one short YouTube video of CK and Paul dancing. Oh, and that handy dandy map is awesome. A very nice use of technology ... and goes to show that grey power is a force to be reckoned with -- not just offline but online as well.

[CK]

Hey All You Voters (Gavin included, he just votes down under--and is obligated to by law, so his citizens BETTER know the issues).

Lewis: Great post at your blog on voting today, I've not doubt you're at the polls each and every time.

Cam: AARP certainly does focus on their issues, and their issues alone. As it should be, both for their customers as well as best practices (the first rule being "focus"). They can teach us a lot on the non-partisan front since they're constantly swimming in those waters.

SHD (hope it's OK I use initials): Agree with what you said on "But the big take away for me is that using entertainment to get the point across moves the needle." Yep, and from a ton of commercials going, this is the only one that had an impact--both in message and in execution.

On an entertainment note--and just goes to show how objective this marketer can be--from what I've caught of Bush's speeches the last 2 days, he's done well with the jokes/entertaining dialog. This is why he did well at the RNC, too (his jokes were well timed, actually funny and made him more human, less puppet).

[Tom Asacker]

Great comments and thanks CK for encouraging "informed" participation. I'd love your take on this: http://www.sandboxwisdom.com/sandbox_wisdom/2006/11/john_kenneth_ga.html