Scientific studies show clever political ads do exist

In the wake of the less-than-stellar Connie ads, the Young Liberals of Canada have launched their own e-advertising campaign. It's witty, something one doesn't often see on tv or in politics. Bonne travail JLC!

Mo info...

May 30, 2007
For Immediate Release

Young Liberals launch ad campaign
’Sure Cons have money, but we’ve got creativity and Facebook’ developer says

Ottawa -- The Young Liberals of Canada have launched a multi-series English advertising campaign targeted specifically to the internet.

Following a Liberal Party member’s concept suggestion to the Liberal Party website, Youth National Director Scott Pickup spearheaded the idea’s implementation. The Young Liberals wanted to try something outside the mainstream.

“Look, it’s no secret the Conservatives are a wealthy party who can afford all kinds of fancy marketing executives and focus groups,” admits Pickup, “but within the Liberal family we’ve got talent, we’ve got dedication, and we’ve got a clear vision for Canada of which we’re proud.”

The three parody ads will be promoted through a multi-pronged approach that utilizes youngliberal.ca, Facebook, youtube.com, instant-messenger programs, and bloggers. This cohesive online campaign provides an opportunity for members and supporters to disseminate and share their messages quickly and affordably.

“The internet isn’t a magical playground in a computer,” says Youth Campaign Director and Online Campaign Co-chair Denise Brunsdon. “This is another layer of social interaction, and a far cheaper method of communication than t.v. and radio.”

“Our commission has always worked on a shoestring budget. I’m constantly impressed by what a few smart Liberals can accomplish when we put their heads together,” agreed Young Liberal President Cory Pike.

The ads can be viewed online at www.youngliberals.ca

A French ad campaign will be released prior to autumn recruitment.

- 30 -
For further information, contact:

Cory Pike, Young Liberals of Canada President
613-314-3600
cpike@liberal.ca


Le 30 Mai 2007
Pour diffusion immédiate

Les jeunes libéraux lancent leur campagne publicitaire
« Oui, les Conservateurs disposent de grands moyens financiers, mais, de notre côté, nous avons la créativité et Facebook ! », dit le concepteur.

Les Jeunes Libéraux du Canada (JLC) ont lancé une campagne publicitaire comprenant trois volets anglophones et principalement destinée aux utilisateurs d’internet.

Suite à l’élaboration d’un concept par l’un de nos membres, le Directeur National des JLC, Scott Pickup, a pris la tête l’opération visant à réaliser le projet. Les jeunes libéraux souhaitaient réaliser des publicités innovatrices qui tranchent avec ce que l’on voit habituellement.

Monsieur Pickup affirme : « Écoutez, nous savons tous que les Conservateurs ont beaucoup de moyens et qu’ils sont donc en mesure de s’offrir de multiples ressources comme de grandes agences de marketing et autres. Cependant, au sein de la famille libérale, nous pouvons compter sur le talent, le dévouement, de même que sur une vision claire du Canada dont nous sommes tous très fiers. »

Les trois publicités seront diffusées de plusieurs façons, incluant le site www.ylc-jlc.ca, Facebook, Youtube, des logiciels de messagerie instantanée, de même que plusieurs blogues. Une telle campagne simultanée permettra à nos membres et partisans de diffuser leur messages rapidement, et ce, en minimisant les coûts.

« L’internet, ce n’est pas un vulgaire terrain de jeux», dit quant à elle Denise Brunsdon, Directrice de la campagne pour les Jeunes et Co-présidente de la Campagne internet. « Pour nous, il s’agit d’un pilier dans les interactions sociales qui a aussi l’avantage, pour cette campagne publicitaire, d’être une méthode de communication beaucoup moins dispendieuse que la télévision ou la radio. »

« Notre commission a toujours dû fonctionner avec un petit budget. Malgré tout, je suis constamment épaté de la qualité du travail effectué par quelques libéraux lorsque tous contribuent ensemble », ajoute de son côté Cory Pike, Président des Jeunes Libéraux du Canada.

Les publicités peuvent être visionnées à l’adresse www.ylc-jlc.ca. Une toute nouvelle campagne publicitaire en français sera disponible avant la campagne de recrutement automnale.

- 30 -

Pour de plus amples informations :

Cory Pike
Président des Jeunes Libéraux du Canada
613-314-3600
cpike@liberal.ca

Gordon O’Connor has become our Donald Rumsfeld and like Rumsfeld the time he has come for him to go

Gordon O’Connor has become our Donald Rumsfeld and like Rumsfeld the time he has come for him to go

by Letlotlo Coco Lefoka

The debacle this week by the Harper government of the allegations that prisoners handed over by the Canadian military to Afghan forces were possibly subjected to torture, abuse and executions could have a detrimental effect on Canada’s noble enterprise in Afghanistan by eroding support for the mission here at home. The serious allegations raised this week have revealed to Canadians that the Harper government is shockingly prepared to ignore, deny and misrepresent the truth rather then take responsibility and take action where Canada’s international honour is at stake. The bungling this weak could be mocked as being amateurish if only it wasn’t about a matter of life and death. Gordon O’Connor bears the brunt of the blame.

The Harper government first denied the existence of a report produced by Canadian diplomats in Afghanistan where the issue of “Extrajudicial executions, disappearances, torture and detention without trial are all too common," is raised. We now know that the Harper government was misrepresenting those facts when it informed the Globe and Mail that "no such report on human-rights performance in other countries exists". The document does exist. Mr. O’Connor told Canadians that the Red Cross was monitoring the condition of detainees transferred to Afghan authorities. He later had to apologize to the House of Commons when the Red Cross contracted his statements. Mr. O’Connor told Canadians that Canada had an agreement where we would have access to Afghan detainees and yet the Chief of Defence Staff and the Foreign Affairs Minister were not aware of any such agreement. Mr O’Connor has still to produce the agreement.

Mr. Harper’s statements have also contradicted Mr. O’Connor’s. Thursday Mr. Harper informed us that Afghan authorities “actually agreed they will formalize that agreement”. The Minister of Defence tells us the ink on the paperwork is dry, the Prime Minister tells the papers haven’t been signed, let alone been typed up, while the Public Safety Minister is making claims that we have always had access to detainees, claims which are contradicted by the Afghan Ambassador to Canada. The Harper government has gone back and forth, upside down and around so many times this week you’d think they were the East German Olympic gymnastics team.

Our men and women in uniform who serve this country do so with valour and honour. The Canadian military since the days of Vimy Ridge has been the allegory of what makes this country great. We are a humble and generous nation, courageous and guided by noble convictions committed to the peace, order, good government and the betterment of all humanity. A nation that is at times prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to share these principles with others where they are denied, our troops in Afghanistan are living breathing proof of this. That Mr. O’Connor, who must be commended for having served in our military has repeatedly failed to have any grasp of this mission, is a slap in the face to everything we have been accomplishing in Afghanistan.

To put it bluntly Gordon O’Connor’s incompetence as Defence Minister is so disgraceful it would not be unkind to declare that he is Canada’s Donald Rumsfeld, incompetent, detached, self-contradicting and a disgrace. The only thing missing is a Rumsfeldian like declaration in Question Period to the effect that “freedom is untidy”. Mr. Harper pretending that Mr. O’Connor is worthy of any credence is a farce. Whether Mr. O’Connor does the honourable thing and resigns or Mr. Harper lives up to the responsibilities of his office and fires him one thing is certain Mr. O’Connor like Rumsfeld should go.

Letlotlo Coco Lefoka is a Liberal Activist who served two terms as the President of the Young Liberals of Canada in British Columbia

Young Liberals in Thunder Bay Welcome Dion

What a great sign of support for the ridings of Thunder Bay-Rainy River and Thunder Bay- Superior North when Liberal Leader Dion came to grace us with Liberal vision at Fort William Historical Park to a crowd of 140 over the lunch hour.

Dion spoke of the transition that Thunder Bay and region will be experiencing over the next many years as we move from a resource based economy to a knowledge based economy that must be supported federally. He also spoke of how Prime Minister Harper has been neglecting FedNor because regional strength is not apart of the conservative vision.

What is also important to note is that Dion made sure to take his message out to the outlying region by going out to Dryden. Many leaders tend to forget that there are Canadians out in the region, yet, Dion headed straight into the west of the region. Sign, of course, of a true 308 riding strategy and not resting on the laurels of traditional support.

Vince Riccio

Driving Mr. Dion

My time with Stephane Dion was an unusual one. Whenever I’ve met the leader in the past I’ve always retained a polite demeanor, listening intently to his words, quietly nodded in approval and always graciously thanking him for speaking with me. This past weekend was not the same. I had the opportunity to drive the leader on his tour through Ontario. Our trip took us from Pearson International to Mississauga, through Hamilton, Brantford, Welland and the Niagara region before returning back to my home turf at Ryerson.

At each event I’d drop Dion and his staffers off at the front door then go to park the car. Typically I’d arrive at the event before Dion and his crew would as they were quickly escorted to a holding room. So I’d saunter up to one of the people working the door and explain, “No I don’t have a ticket…I’m driving Dion” trying not to look like a pompous ass and demand special treatment. “Yes I know I’m wearing jeans and sneakers and everyone else is in a suite and tie,” I would think. Luckily for me, business attire is not a bona fide occupational requirement, especially when one is a volunteer.

Dion would then enter the room to synchronized clapping and shake hands and give a speech. On our first stop he had just released his platform “Balancing the Carbon Budget,” so he spoke at length about the need to stay competitive while protecting our environment. Over the weekend I heard the speech numerous times and I enjoyed the variations in it. No more Paul Martin’s “30 years ago when my father and Lester B. Pearson developed medicare they blah blah blah,” like I heard one million times during the last election.

As we built a rapportover those many kilometers, my friendly small talk and quiet agreement noises turned to substantive policy questions. I asked why he would be so vocal about the Anti-Scab bill when typically the leader doesn’t get involved in Private Members Bill. He explained how Private Members Bill needs not only deal with small matters and how it could have a great impact. Our comfort levels developed further, and soon I was naturally swatting his newspapers and briefing notes out of the way of my navigation system. I’d also joke about how cold it was driving him, because I wasn’t allowed to warm up the car before picking him up. I even muttered a swear word under my breath in his presence as I nearly rear-ended a Mercedes in the worst snow storm ever. The last thing I want to do I roll the car when he’s on the phone with David Suzuki or Al Gore.

But perhaps the best moment was as we approached Ryerson I explained the concept of the event, who would be there, what we were looking from him. I made him promise he wouldn’t say that youth “are the future” since we hate that shit; besides “We got now, we don’t care who got next.” He stared blankly at my Jay-Z reference.

He was greeted with drunken enthusiasm as we marched into the bar. Green beer sloshed as the applause began. Dion moved through the crowd and quickly slipped away from me.,I didn’t feel like staffing him, and had my eyes on the green beer myself. Other VIP’s moved through the St Patrick’s Day mosh pit waddling like penguins in the tightly packed bar. I settled in for some green beer, my shift was over and it was time to get loose. Dion spoke, he didn’t say we were the future, I was pleased, he did however say “We’re not a party that just cares about the next election; we’re a party that cares about the next generation” That was a Jay-Z-esque enough for me.

Jay Telegdi- Toronto, Ont.

untitled.

Almost every newspaper in the country has been bashing, doubting or laughing at Dion during the past few weeks. Party moral seems low and “it’s bad and it’ll probably get worse” is plastered on many faces. But when my Dad, or my English teacher, or my friend asks me if I’m worried, I say a surprised “of course not!” accompanied by a rather large smile and sometimes a little chuckle. I’m not worried about Dion’s ability to win the next election, or the Conservative Attack Ads, or the latest over-analyzed poll. Too many Canadians are finding themselves in a tangled mess of speculation and exaggerated coverage. Dion’s greatest asset, which is starting to become a bit cliché, is the fact that he is underestimated. He won the Leadership despite the confused and unconvinced looks I got when I joined the campaign. Upon my return from Montreal, I said “I told you so” to quite a few sheepish looking people, who will be sure to regain their unattractive expressions the moment we win the next federal election. Dion does have his flaws, but compared to Harper’s love affairs with the National Citizens Coalition and Climate Change denial, Dion looks like a saint. All that we Young Liberals have to do is be our enthusiastic, in-your-face, tireless selves and get people to look behind the diversions that the media and the Tories have created. Spreading the word is our key to success. So the next time your brother, or your co-worker or the little kid next door asks you if you’re worried, smile, laugh, and say “of course not!”, while making a mental note to keep the “I told you so” to a minimum when Dion brings in his first sweeping majority.

~Annie Donolo

Budget Reaction

The real problem with the Harper Spendathon Budget 2007? Its dithers all over.



We were hounded for being a party, in our later years, with no direction, just paying off everyone we could. Henceforth, its such a funny turn to see Harper do this to 10x the degree.



This budget does nothing particularly well. When I look at the combination of major features, I see no cohesion, no common thread that would hint at a purpose for governing.



Decisiveness is fine, but its vision that makes a leader.



Visionless Stephen Harper is NOT a leader!


Richard Liebrecht, Manitoba

great dion event!

So dion is making his way around the country and it is beyond awesome!

Dion came to McMaster University in Hamilton today (March 14th) to speak to the local construction workers who have been working tirelessly for years to get new buildings put up on campus. McMaster is rapidly expanding and Mr. Dion wanted to speak with these workers to hear about their progress.

Students from McMaster were given the opportunity to meet with Dion and share a few words. Judging by their reaction he is really making an impact on youth around the country. Stephane met with the incoming McMaster Students Union president, Ryan Moran, who seemed very impressed with Mr. Dion. The youth were also given a chance to rub shoulders with the President of Mcmaster, Peter George. Stephane Dion is really showing that he is accessible to all Canadians and giving students opportunities to connect with senior figures such as Peter George.

The youth were also given the opportunity to sport some sexy hard hats for the event. Who doesn't love hard hat hair?

elyse banham

Liberals are Well Served

For some reason or another, legions seem to be perennial places for political events of all types and stripes. About a month ago, I wound my way through a maze of pool tables and war memorabilia to a large hall at the Dundas Legion near McMaster, anticipating to hear from our new leader.

For me it would be my first encounter with him since the dazzling convention in late 2006. Waiting to cast my decisive vote on the third ballot, I saw the figures of Dion and Kennedy cut to the left of me. My eyes met with Kennedy and he mouthed thank you. The moment was a difficult, but what to do next was clear. My move to Dion never needed a second thought; his genuine nature and witty performance at the Toronto leadership debate had automatically made him the only option in a “what if” situation.

Back at the legion, he had arrived and simply watching him interacting with the crowd and talking to many he came across has humble, optimistic and sincere. Once he made it to the stage, he spoke passionately about the environment and how it is becoming more and more intertwined with our economic future. For someone with intellectual might, he wasn’t abstract or impersonal; it didn’t feel like he was preaching to us, but engaging in conversation with each one of us. I feel confident about the future and emboldened by our leader. Liberals are well served.

Mark Ungar

McMaster University

It's working

During the leadership race I’d occasionally return to my hometown in rural Ontario and escape the drama of the race at the farm that I grew up on. While there I’d drop by my grandmother’s house and fill her in on the latest events. It was nice to have someone to listen to me as I vented my frustrations about being sleep deprived or my lack of dietary prudence. She didn’t really follow the race too closely and relied largely on my super biased assessment of the whole thing.

One visit she told me that she was happy that Dion was making the environment such a priority. She remembers the last time the environment received such attention was in the United States back in the 80’s or something concerning acid rain, and she’s happy the focus was back on it. So this meant something to me, if my 91 year old, card carrying Republican, American grandmother was hearing the message about the need for environmental sustainability then we must be doing something right.

As Liberals we should be proud that we have made such a concerted effort to bring the environment to the forefront of public opinion, and we’re fortunate to have a leader with such a credible record on the environment. So I’m looking forward to an election and to spreading the word that it is the Liberals who have a serious commitment to the environment, and win the next election one grandmother at a time!

Jay- Ontario

we are ready.

“Delia, why do you like Stephane Dion?” Oh boy I thought; leadership was over a month ago, why is he asking me this question?

“Well, I like him because…,” and I continue on with my speech, something I had perfected since joining the Dion campaign last summer. I decided to stop mid-sentence and ask the former Rae supporter why he wanted to know? I mean really, we don't need to try to recruit each other anymore....we're working together!

“I saw him the other day and spent some time with him, and well, I understand what it was you saw in him. I see it too,” he said.

Big sigh of relief. Hearing that really meant a lot to me. My friends from the other campaigns are genuinely supporting our new leader, something more people (Liberals and non-Liberals alike) are doing every day. After the end of Leadership in December, I was unsure how Dion would be embraced amongst the Liberal youth on a national scale. I am very happy with the way everyone has rallied behind Dion with the same goal in mind. I am proud to say that the party is uniting and that we are preparing to win the next election.

The National Youth Campaign is an example for the rest of the party to follow. We are working together, mobilized, and ready to kick some major butt. The Liberal party is ready to once again be at the helm. Bring it on.

Delia Greco
Ontario