So, just how many political ads?

Posted by Cory Bergman on November 3, 2006

Nielsen Monitor-Plus counted 942,900 political ads that have aired on TV between August 1st and October 15th, up 31 percent compared to the same time four years ago. And that doesn’t count the last couple weeks, which have been, well, ridiculous. (Except if you’re a local TV station in many markets, then it’s Christmas.) If you’re curious, the candidates that have placed the most ads are Florida’s Charlie Crist, the Republican candidate for governor (21,214 ads) and Dick DeVos, the Republican candidate for Michigan governor (20,093). Now that’s frequency.

http://www.tyndallreport.com Andrew Tyndall

Spare a thought for us political junkies in the New York City market, where rates are so expensive and the races so uncompetitive that we have been deprived of such civic entertainment.

Apart from the New Jersey Senate race and a desultory late scandal for the (obscure) New York State Comptroller, you’d hardly even know there was any vote scheduled on Tuesday.

With ads being so more efficient and affordable in small markets, this midterm bonanza benefits affiliates more than major market o-&-o’s.
Safran

And what an incredible waste of money this all is. (I’m not making a political statement here. It’s a marketing statement.) Can you imagine what that kind of money could buy in the way of an online blitz? Tons. Yes – I realize not everyone’s online (and Florida’s target market’s a little… different demographically) but there are so many candidates spending a fortune on untargeted, TiVod ads. Meantime, in Massachusetts, the candidate with the best site, his own broadband channel, and an online grassroots operation is ahead in the polls by 20%.
Safran

Oh – and also in Mass.: The most damage done to the current-second-place candidate was done by her own negative ads against the current leader. People were so put off by her attacks that many are voting for the other guy out of sheer resentment toward her slimy ads.
thedetroitchannel

mr. de vos will lose in his “gubernatorial”bid.

however, that hairdo should make him a shoo-in if anyone is casting for west side story.
Brad

Great call on DeVos as a suitable casting option for West Side Story.

10,093 ads is all that $35 million will buy these days? What is the world coming to? DeVos will lose tomorrow, despite the ads and last minute attacks on Governor Granholm and partisan polls he has commissioned to show him closer than in reality. He should have just written every Michigander a check.

Everyone getting out the vote tomorrow?