State Governments

Denis Leary, the Ford F-150 and Political Advertising

By Adam Sorensen | @adamsorensen | July 7, 2010 | +

Last week, Ben Smith noticed Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox had a TV ad bearing a striking resemblance to this commercial for a pickup truck. You might shrug it off as coincidence or an isolated appeal to the Motor City crowd. But now it’s cropping up again, this time in Nevada. Rory Reid, the Democratic candidate for governor and son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, is up with this ad:

For your comparison:

Maybe it’s just my imagination. Anyone know who’s churning these things out or why this line of truck commercials from 2009 featuring Denis Leary might be so popular among ad makers?

Mike Cox’s F-150 homage after the jump:

E-mail Adam.

Related Topics: mike cox, mysteries, Nevada, rory reid, trucks, State Governments

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  • nflfoghorn

    Maybe Leary should get extra royalties.

  • grape_crush

    I see that this year’s campaign ad theme is, “I’m an outsider who doesn’t want you to think about my party affiliation.”

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    I guess they are seeking the ADD vote.

    Flash quick pictures and short sentences in front of people – that’s how to win.

    The old ads, with long sentences – I don’t think so.

    Short ads for inattentive voters – that’s the way of the future.

    (Insert pictures of scripts being cut by scissors to make this statement clearer.)

    Few points. Short sentences. That’s the way to go.

  • nflfoghorn

    Editor must be the hot new job position.

  • grape_crush

    Few points. Short sentences. That’s the way to go.
    .
    That applies to advertising in general…oh, and you forgot repetition.

  • m0mentom0ri

    If I ever run for office, the first two things I’m buying are a pick-up truck and a plaid flannel shirt.

  • centfan

    I’m not sure that would fly too far in western Connecticut, but put on a Yankees baseball cap (instead of CAT) and you’re golden (although you can’t alienate Mets and Red Sox fans. It’s a base vs. independent kinda thing).

  • nathan7777

    I believe the intent is to make them look tough. It certainly seems effective enough at getting across the point. With so much information thrown at them I imagine the viewers forget most of it and remember only one thing by the time they get to the end of the commercial: that’s one tough guy/truck.

  • http://patricksartor.wordpress.com patricksartor

    centfan,
    .
    I grew up in and have relatives in Fairfield county.
    .
    I know exactly what you are talking about.
    .
    A pickup in Westport would be like wearing your right shoe on your left foot.

  • bryanfromhouston

    I don’t see any resemblance…at all. I own a Toyota Tundra built in San Antonio however.

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