Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Marketing of Politicians never Sleeps

Most of us have been overwhelmed with the marketing of politicians during elections. Negative commercials and mailers littering our mailboxes and minds with the trash of professional marketers has become intolerable in recent years. I am totally sick of it. It is just way too much and has turned off many voters and citizens that have been feeling helpless to make a difference.

After any given contested election the negative blast subsides and is replaced by the constant branding of positive marketing of our elected officials demonstrating the same type veneer that lacks any real substance. The old days of the published picture hugging the baby and appearances at public events has been vastly enhanced by displaying these events through modern media market options available, reaching out to the masses. Creating, sharing, and building valuable databases of voters for our newsletters and electronic media accounts is a solid catapult for projecting any willing politician as one hell of a great human being and public servant. Involvement and acceptance within not for profits and professional organizations, neighborhood labeled groups, and movements of day all provide an excellent bed for marketing propaganda that is designed for a positive communication link to the citizens. Now using this communication tool is not bad at its face value but it is just a face value.

Creating positive constructive change in government takes courage, makes people unsettled, and doesn't always make for great media coverage. Standing on the backs of prior champions, celebrating past successes that has carried us through today, can't overshadow the work and challenges we need to face now.

I have always been frustrated by politicians using an effective marketing plan to project an image of substantial accomplishment when in fact the substance of practice has not been remarkable. As we move forward facing unprecedented challenges as government officials, citizens need to look past the marketing branding and focus on results and outcomes that prove the effectiveness of representation.