'Art' of advertising is hard to pin down

Pignanelli: LaVarr and I are obsessed with all things political. This strange and demented feature of our personalities foments discussions with others eager to share opinions related to their expertise. In other words, media and PR gurus know we will actually listen to them. Here is the latest buzz on the street:

There is universal acclaim for the self-deprecating billboards developed by W Communications for Sen. Bob Bennett. By highlighting his Ichabod Crane physical features in a race he is likely to win, Bennett will garner even more affection from voters hungry for humor. Media specialists are also amused by the almost identical television commercials (crafted for education and radioactive waste disposal issues) sponsored by Jon Huntsman Jr., Scott Matheson Jr. and Congressman Jim Matheson. Obviously, focus group and polling results of swing voters are determining campaign themes. The perceived similarity between the gubernatorial candidates is making the race closer than the political dynamics of the state would suggest. This is an obvious benefit to Matheson, who is working hard to convince Republicans that it is all right to vote for him. Huntsman will need to articulate his unique advantages on the airwaves in the next several weeks in order to hold or expand his lead. Electronic media insiders predict that national Democratic and Republican congressional committees, independent from the Matheson and John Swallow campaigns, will together spend over $1 million in the 2nd Congressional District election in the next four weeks.

One cannot overstate the severity of the professional criticism toward Nancy Workman's "I am the victim of politics" commercials. At the outset of troubles, Workman should have made amends for transgressions, real or perceived. With such a demeanor, the mayor would have remained competitive against Peter Corroon (who is receiving kudos for his dignified behavior). Her current strategy of defending in public, and without remorse, against legal attacks is difficult even for articulate candidates. Specialists do not believe that Workman possesses the personal communication skills to achieve any success with this approach, despite her many achievements as mayor.