Republicans Have Already Rebranded

They are the party of No. There is a really good riff on the subject in today's Huffington Post, by Joseph Romm, saying that the GOP is more like Groucho than Marx. It quotes and features a video from one of his films:

I don't know what they have to say,

It makes no difference anyway,

Whatever it is, I'm against it.

No matter what it is or who commenced it, I'm against it.

Your proposition may be good,But let's have one thing understood,

Whatever it is, I'm against it.

And even when you've changed it or condensed it,I'm against it.

I'm opposed to it,

On general principle, I'm opposed to it....

Hawai'i IS Different

Often we argue that Hawai'i is different, and therefore advertising agencies often get special exceptions to create and run local commercials for a national product. As we become more global, that seems to be a less valid argument.

However, in one case that is currently on the air, we think it would behoove the local ad community to get together and produce a couple of local spots that follow the theme "Not Even Once" set by the national campaign.

The excellent spots on television for the Hawaii Meth Project are nationally produced spots which are a: "research-based messaging campaign—which graphically portrays the ravages of Meth use through television, radio, billboards, and Internet ads‹has gained nationwide attention for its uncompromising approach and demonstrated impact. The campaign's core message, "Not Even Once®," speaks directly to the highly addictive nature of Meth.

All of the featured "meth users" are haoles. The commercials are still powerful; but their power would be geometrically magnified if they featured local people. go to www.hawaiimethproject.org for more info.

You Can do it! WHO (?) Can Help!

Home Depot's all time great tagline is no more. Now they use "More Saving. More Doing." (bolding is theirs). I don't know about you, but what I don't need is "more doing."

Nicorette recognizes a good tagline when they see one though: Now it's

"You can do it. Nicorette can help."

Saw that one on TV last night but thought I'd share the one on their website (above) which is written as if to exhort you to "Stop smoking gum." (need a hyphen anyone?)

Meanwhile, Can Santa Cruz Still Sell T-shirts?

This is a question for the great legal minds of history.

Surf City U.S.A.

According to the New York Times, after a heated battle for the name with Santa Cruz, Huntington Beach is officially rebranding itself "Surf City U.S.A."

Be sure to bring your wetsuit.