A blimp is a BAD IDEA - here is why

[rory096]

You're forgetting the mainstream media it will generate, just like Nov 5 did. A project where grassroots supporters raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for such a unique project completely unconnected with a campaign will get noticed, and it'll provide millions of dollars worth of publicity.

As for those other suggestions, I agree. Let's do those too; this blimp isn't everything, people aren't completely spent after this and I'm sure they'll be more than willing to support conventional projects in addition to the blimp.

 

[integrity]

how about coats for Ron Paul

get some decent winter coats with Ron Paul embroidered on them and give them to homeless and needy people.... functional!

 

[Matt Collins]

A blimp does NOT guarantee media coverage.

 

[Rhys]

A blimp does NOT guarantee media coverage.

na huh. it already has been mentioned in two large and syndicated newspapers. that's good enough already.

 

[ronpaulfan]

The OP is doing what is commonly called "Staying the course"

Take a huge stance on something, invest every ounce of yourself into it, don't leave any wiggle room out.....then crash and burn when you're proven wrong.

You made a good post and you obviously still think you're right, but, you're not bro. Deal with it.

 

[Matt Collins]

then crash and burn when you're proven wrong.

I can't be proven wrong.

I am not saying that it won't work. I am not saying that it wont "pay for itself" in terms of PR.

I am saying from an advertising and marketing strategic standpoint it's a bad idea. It's not a frugal use of funds and it's unproven. We shouldn't be taking risks of this magnitude when we don't have infinite funds and common name recognition.

 

[Proemio]

When you get a degree in marketing and have studied it for years and have carried out theory into execution for years, come back to me and talk intelligently. Until then you are making an idiot of yourself and it is showing... badly.

This 'idiot' is perfectly happy to let the market decide...

Why in the world would I study some vapid pseudo-science for something I'm doing successfully for 40 years? In contrast, my earlier studies in chemistry served me well on that exciting journey.

1) I know that marketing 'science' is useful for teaching an army of accountants (see: origin of marketing) how to sell the next variety of soap - prudently, and irrespective of which soap division of what media conglomerate currently employs them. I also know that the same formulas can't possibly apply to what we are 'selling'.

2) I'm neither arguing against using traditional approaches nor for a blimp (opportunity dictates, and should be the only limiting factor). I'm arguing against your arrogant, clueless (always goes well together) demand that people bow to some authority - namely yours (see your introduction), based on nothing more than a piece of paper showing that you successfully ingested a particular brand of kool-aid - and lived to tell everyone about it.

3) I further know, that the establishment would love nothing better than herding all of us into a well organized, easily penetrable political movement, using traditional, predictable and readily overwhelmed tools of battle, thus guaranteeing their ideal outcome: a temporary sponge to absorb latent anger, while 'conceding' an acceptable 3-5% result on (s)election day.

And finally - if you apply your training - you will note that creative approaches in general, have enjoyed a renewed boost after your intervention, or perhaps because of it. That's really all that matters...

I can't be proven wrong.

Yes, dear...

 

[Matt Collins]

You are not getting my point because you are closeminded.

 

[Ozwest]

So many marketing geniuses. My head is spinning.

Poor little boring fucks.

 

[Proemio]

So many marketing geniuses. My head is spinning.

Poor little boring fucks.

It's not that boring at all, once you factor-in that the whole concept was created by contemporaries of Lenin, Trotsky et al, when communism was highly admired in the loftier cyrcles of New York and elsewhere. It foreshadowed Corporatism, the saul mate of Communism. Marketing 'science' was also created at a time when Globalism was the buzz word of the 'elite' and the nirvana of the 'experts' in countless books and articles gracing the 'intellectual' newspapers.

It has more consequences than appear at first glance...

 

[ForLiberty-RonPaul]

I think the blimp serves as a symbol. When the US built it's huge navy in the mid 20th century it sent it around the world in a show of strength. No doubt this cost lots of money, but it was effective.

Just as a blimp is expensive, it will show that the grassroots did something "impossible", and that makes us mighty.

 

[Rhys]

Marketing is the Art OR Science of adjusting people's subconscious perception.

The best way I know of to do this, is association.

Soda-Pepsi
Broom- bristle
Soap- Lever 2000
Presidential Candidate- Hillary Clinton

OOPS! We need to make the last one say Ron Paul. How? Get his name in people's eye balls in a way that they'll remember, and again 100 times over in a way they wont remember that they remember.

The more people see the name Ron Paul, the more they'll be willing to vote for him. If you gotta put it on your ass and bear it, then do it.

That's all there is to it. You can come up with theories supported by data that says people will buy your financial service if you have the color gold somewhere on your brochure.

However, no one's ever taken data on the Ron Paul Blimp. So do it, and then case study it.

After you've case studied it, tell me what you think.

Until you've case studied it, you're guess is as good as mine.

Last, the only way to succeed in life at anything, is to try something. If you win more than you lose, you're a success. We can afford for a failure on the blimp should it fail. What's more, we can't afford not to try.

The potential gain vs. potential loss is a no brainer.

 

[Matt Collins]

Marketing is the Art OR Science of adjusting people's subconscious perception.

The best way I know of to do this, is association.

Good point, but this is actually called "branding" and is a subset of marketing.

Most advertising is designed for one of several purposes:
- to brand (called top of mind awareness)
- to provoke a response
- to directly generate a sale

 

[Rhys]

other way around. marketing is a subset of branding.

In essence, marketing is discovering a market need, filling it, advertising that new product, selling the new product. it's a 4 part chain of events which should feed on itself... once you sell the product you get feedback to discover the new market needs.

branding goes beyond everything else... it's metaphysical.

Your brand is that inexplicable x factor. It's derived from how people think of you. Brand awareness is built with advertising, but also with public relations, chairity, community events, news letters, free services, phone centers with friendly people, nice paper on letter, good email signatures from sales people... it's so hard to put into words.

For example: Republicans and Dems have a shitty brand right now. They need to rebuild or repair their brand. The Libertarian party needs to grow their brand.

 

[maeqFREEDOMfree]

I think that while the blimp might be a little different avenue than most ads we see it will be extremely benefitial and will help saturate that "ron paul" name that we went everyone to hear. It's so exciting to be able to advertise while getting press at the same time. Geographically placed billboards and the like won't generate media attention that the Ron Paul Blimp will. so i think money well spent

 

[richk]

I can't be proven wrong.

I am not saying that it won't work. I am not saying that it wont "pay for itself" in terms of PR.

I am saying from an advertising and marketing strategic standpoint it's a bad idea. It's not a frugal use of funds and it's unproven. We shouldn't be taking risks of this magnitude when we don't have infinite funds and common name recognition.

Hi Matt, I'm just curious, have you announced your GUARANTEED plan to win Tennessee with $750K advertising yet? There are a lot of sub-forums here and I'm not sure if I have missed it or not. As I have mentioned previously, I will donate to any cause if I believe in it. Thanks, Rich

 

[Ilhaguru]

Good point, but this is actually called "branding" and is a subset of marketing.

Most advertising is designed for one of several purposes:
- to brand (called top of mind awareness)
- to provoke a response
- to directly generate a sale

"What does Goodyear get in return for such an investment in the blimps?

The end result is corporate-name recognition and goodwill. Independent research has demonstrated that people are excited by seeing the blimp and are able to remember exactly when and where they saw it. Over sixty million Americans get a first-hand look at the three U.S. blimps every year, and millions more see the airships in South America and throughout the world via global network connections. The Goodyear blimps may be the best-known corporation symbol in the United States."
http://www.goodyearblimp.com/faqs/faqs_business.html#return


It's about getting people curious enough to actually google Ron Paul, and actually do some research. . . blimps make people smile, it's a nice impression.

 

[Andrew-Austin]

If you are sure the blimp is a bad idea, then contact the guy who is organizing this and convince him to spend the money else where.

 

[DirtMcGirt]

Americans media loves sensationalism, this is sensationalism x10!!!

 

[Dave Pedersen]

The blimp is an excellent idea. The fact that you have been schooled in marketing explains why you cannot see past your nose. Academic studies only accomplish one thing with certainty:

Instinct is presumed defunct.

Instinct is simply that amalgam of reason which has not yet been defined in a linear fashion.

In war it is always best to assault the enemy from as many directions as possible. This crossfire or multidimensional approach is recognized to impart effectiveness beyond the sum of its parts. The multidimensional approach to assaulting the ignorance of the populace has merits far beyond what any classroom is likely to quantify.

Keep your degree.

The school of life is preferable in every instance.