These look exactly like a multimillion dollar ad campaign conceived by people who based all of their research off of New York Times articles about Portland. I can't be the only person under 35 in Portland who is long since bored with this look.
And practically speaking, not actually mentioning what an ad is for until the last 5 seconds of the ad seems like a bad move, but maybe they've got market research to back up the assertion that people watch commercials all the way to the end.
Lastly, if the goal is to get people who believe that healthcare for all isn't some kind of socialist plot into the healthcare system, I don't know that promoting a bunch of young progressives from the city is the right move. If I'm sitting in my living room in Scio or Redmond or Medford or Pendleton and one of these ads come on, they're validating every preconceived notion I have about "liberal elites" and how they live in a fantasy world where everyone retires at 30.
I'm pretty sure that those who are presently without health coverage don't need a MULTIMILLION DOLLAR AD CAMPAIGN to help make them aware that they can now finally get the medical help they've been needing after all these years. I'm willing to bet that people will learn of its existence (and its catchy name) without it being plastered all over every billboard and commercial break. Surely that money could be better spent on other aspects of the program.
And if the intent is (also) to convince naysayers that it's not all "OMG, Socialism!! The sky is falling!! Agghhh!!", this campaign is still a waste of money. Who cares about smoothing it over with the reactionary alarmists? It's done. They can cry all they want. There's no need to spend extra money to try to pacify anyone -- it's proceeding regardless.
I love it. I have long wished that public agencies would pay fewer tax dollars to pricey ad firms and more tax dollars to include local artists in their work, a la the glory days of Irving Berlin, the photogs of the FSA, etc. Well done, Cover Oregon.
Yeah Spindles! I want an ad with the Portland of my childhood. What about Kenneth Mieske floating down a trash-filled Willamette River on a flaming mattress? Tonya Harding as Rosie the Riveter, but with a crowbar and a menacing "don't be a Nancy" glare? Or Bud Clark, flashing the camera this time, with a strategically placed placard? (I kinda like this one) Those were the days!
The ads are so-so, but it seems these ads weren't designed to get the uninsured to sign up for health insurance as much as it was meant to increase the profile of the ad company. A year from now when less than 50 percent of uninsured Oregonians have signed up for Cover Oregon, we'll all look back at these ads and point to them as the reason why.
@perfunctory, you forgot Tom Peterson molesting you in an Organ Grinder Pizza while the clapping monkey watches and claps, watches and claps, watches and claps...
The goal is likely to get the attention on 27-35 year old folks who are healthy and have nice lives and don't think about health policy much in order to 1) raise their awareness about Cover Oregon and 2) think vague but good things about it, so when someone says they should sign up later, they do. Basically, the same as the Oregon Humane Society "End Petlessness" campaign (also featuring Laura Gibson) but instead you are supposed to feel warm and fuzzy about taking care of yourself, not a kitten.
The demographic represented in these sappy warbling abominations is almost as diverse as that represented by the Willamette Weak eugenics fashion police.
Pointing out the lack of diversity in these spots is right on. There's not a single Latino, a huge and ever growing chunk of Oregon's population, most of who are uninsured, represented. Nice work Portland ad agency.
Obviously, these are well-produced ads. But I think there are some real issues:
1) Yes, there are 20- and 30-somethings in Portland who are uninsured, but these ads in no way represent some of the highest demographic categories of uninsured Oregonians: people living in rural areas; minorities; poorly educated; economically disadvantaged; large families; etc. Why would anyone from those demographics think these ads were meant for them?
2) These ads in no way inform people who are uninsured about what the program is and how they can take part. Not only is there no information in the ads about what Cover Oregon actually does, if an uninsured person who lives in, say, Pendleton who didn't graduate high school saw one of these ads on TV, would they have any idea whatsoever what it was about?
3) These ads are reported to have cost nearly $10 million to produce and subsequently air. That is some serious money for an ad campaign, and - especially since it's for a state-run program - there *should* be an expectation that the money is efficiently spent. So why are these ads appealing to the very people that are LEAST likely to need health insurance (well-educated Portlanders with jobs that provide health care) rather than those that are MOST likely to need it?
I'm sure everyone who had lunch at Little Bird today and had dinner at Ox will love these. Too bad people who had lunch at Subway and dinner at McDonald's won't.
Strunk & White: The people who least need health insurance are the ones the state needs to sign up if this program is going to lower costs for everyone. Without a large pool of healthy people in the insurance exchange, it won't be possible to cover those with higher needs.
The point is to create a good feeling around the program - not to inform people about the program. So when that person in Pendleton gets an email or pamphlet or someone knocking on their door in October, they'll say, "Oh! Is that the thing with the singing lady? Yeah, what was that?" and they'll engage in a conversation. These ads are a confidence booster and door opener, separating the brand from the national debate.
But then, with a name like Strunk & White, I would expect you to take things a bit too literally.
@rangerhunter You must think healthy people without insurance are really dumb if you believe ads featuring Laura Gibson are going to be a "confidence booster" or "door opener." The point these ads should be making is that by buying insurance through Cover Oregon we're making sure *everyone* can have access to health insurance--even if you, Laura Gibson fan living in the Pearl, have to pay more. (And yes, young and effete Portlanders without health insurance will have to pay more in order for this thing to work.)
But instead these ads rely on producing a "good feeling around the program." We're not selling Pepsi here; we're selling the ability for all Oregonians to pay for prescriptions, preventive medicine, and health emergencies without going bankrupt.
Have been bombarded with these #$^^ing ridiculous ads the past couple of days and have had enough. Hey nothing like having a $10 million ad budget (part of $300 million in federal funds) to blow on whatever you want. Believe it or not, Cover Oregon, not everyone looks like they just came out of the taco stand in Sellwood. Not everyone is down with socialized healthcare. I'm self employed, pay a ton in federal taxes and am very pissed off about these ads. Complete waste of money - and socialism does not work. Ask your friends from the CCCP.
Never posted on here - but am impressed with the conversation. I also noticed that these ads were clearly produced by a non native Oregonian someone deep in the heart of stereotypical Portland. They obviously don't realize that the rest of the State (save Eugina) hates Portland. I'll just stay out in Oswego with my BMW SUV and right wing family.
Thanks a lot, Carrie and Fred.
And practically speaking, not actually mentioning what an ad is for until the last 5 seconds of the ad seems like a bad move, but maybe they've got market research to back up the assertion that people watch commercials all the way to the end.
Lastly, if the goal is to get people who believe that healthcare for all isn't some kind of socialist plot into the healthcare system, I don't know that promoting a bunch of young progressives from the city is the right move. If I'm sitting in my living room in Scio or Redmond or Medford or Pendleton and one of these ads come on, they're validating every preconceived notion I have about "liberal elites" and how they live in a fantasy world where everyone retires at 30.
And if the intent is (also) to convince naysayers that it's not all "OMG, Socialism!! The sky is falling!! Agghhh!!", this campaign is still a waste of money. Who cares about smoothing it over with the reactionary alarmists? It's done. They can cry all they want. There's no need to spend extra money to try to pacify anyone -- it's proceeding regardless.
But, yes, the spots are well done.
Yeah, fucking Lost Lander and Laura Gibson are what's bad for Oregon. Go fuck yourself, Spindles.
Comment of the week! Month? Year?
I am now going to use that phrase to describe half of what happens in Portland.
I'd say, on that score, well done!
1) Yes, there are 20- and 30-somethings in Portland who are uninsured, but these ads in no way represent some of the highest demographic categories of uninsured Oregonians: people living in rural areas; minorities; poorly educated; economically disadvantaged; large families; etc. Why would anyone from those demographics think these ads were meant for them?
2) These ads in no way inform people who are uninsured about what the program is and how they can take part. Not only is there no information in the ads about what Cover Oregon actually does, if an uninsured person who lives in, say, Pendleton who didn't graduate high school saw one of these ads on TV, would they have any idea whatsoever what it was about?
3) These ads are reported to have cost nearly $10 million to produce and subsequently air. That is some serious money for an ad campaign, and - especially since it's for a state-run program - there *should* be an expectation that the money is efficiently spent. So why are these ads appealing to the very people that are LEAST likely to need health insurance (well-educated Portlanders with jobs that provide health care) rather than those that are MOST likely to need it?
I'm sure everyone who had lunch at Little Bird today and had dinner at Ox will love these. Too bad people who had lunch at Subway and dinner at McDonald's won't.
The point is to create a good feeling around the program - not to inform people about the program. So when that person in Pendleton gets an email or pamphlet or someone knocking on their door in October, they'll say, "Oh! Is that the thing with the singing lady? Yeah, what was that?" and they'll engage in a conversation. These ads are a confidence booster and door opener, separating the brand from the national debate.
But then, with a name like Strunk & White, I would expect you to take things a bit too literally.
But instead these ads rely on producing a "good feeling around the program." We're not selling Pepsi here; we're selling the ability for all Oregonians to pay for prescriptions, preventive medicine, and health emergencies without going bankrupt.
Never posted on here - but am impressed with the conversation. I also noticed that these ads were clearly produced by a non native Oregonian someone deep in the heart of stereotypical Portland. They obviously don't realize that the rest of the State (save Eugina) hates Portland. I'll just stay out in Oswego with my BMW SUV and right wing family.