elections

Scary, Scarier, Scariest: The Art of the Attack

A successful attack ad must 1) catch the attention of the viewer; 2) make them feel something; and 3) be memorable. Which creative tactic best accomplishes those three objectives?

Attack ads have long been a part of campaigns, from slogans used on buttons and posters to mail and eventually TV when televisions became common inn U.S. households in the early ‘50s.

A successful attack ad must 1) catch the attention of the viewer; 2) make them feel something; and 3) be memorable.

Which creative tactic best accomplishes those three objectives?

FEAR
Scared stiff or scared into action? Fear is a great motivator and telling voters of the real dangers behind an opponent’s plans or record can drive them out to the polls.

ANGER
Is your audience mad and not going to take it anymore? Attack ads that tap into the undercurrent of anger fueling an issue like taxes and spending or jobs – or even career politicians and “politics as usual” – have the ability to motivate your audience.

HUMOR
Sometimes all you need is a good laugh. Delivering a tough message with humor can get you more than that laugh – it can get you the vote.

Ready to learn more? Want samples of our work? Get in touch with our team of state and national strategists today.