This is a fine example of bad branding.TheKnot.com, a wedding website, displays a large banner ad that states: Hillary Said “No” To Bill Many Times Before Saying Yes.When you click it, you get the BridesDecide.com website, which says:
“When it comes to electing the 44th president, it’s savvy women like us who are going to make history. That’s why we created BridesDecide.com, a front-row ticket to the 2008 presidential election. Get informed, take our survey, and check out the candidates’ real wedding photos (we couldn’t resist!).”
See, I don’t think the internet is telling me the truth here. It’s not “savvy women like us” who decide elections. Polls, surveys, and common knowledge indicate that it’s white men who decide presidents, and while these fringe groups are courted by candidates, they never make the majority of the votes. They’re the “just in case I don’t get enough white men” voters.
Anyway, what is so weirdly fascinating about this site is, I can’t figure out what its purpose is. It’s owned by TheKnot.com, so I can guess it’s wedding related – but…how? Is it for newlyweds to discuss politics? Isn’t that a rather narrow demographic? Or is it a Hillary site, luring women by posting ads on TheKnot.com? To enter the forums it says, “Join the discussion”, which I recall is what Mrs. Clinton’s catchphrase was when she announced her candidacy. But it’s also a pretty straightforward invitation: join the discussion.
Honestly, I have no idea if it’s Mrs. Clinton’s site. But if it is, I have to wonder to whom she’s attempting to appeal. Young women who are getting married or were just recently married? Isn’t that a bit on the nose, considering she’s running as the wife of a president and not as a bona fide politician herself? As in: since you’re marrying, you too may find yourself interested in politics? It seems sort of anti-feminist (which I automatically respect) but I find it quite queer coming from Mrs. Clinton, a certified shrieking, man-hating feminist.
I don’t know what to make of it. Maybe nothing. But if Mrs. Clinton really is running this ad campaign, I’d advise her to tighten her focus. Come to think of it, that’s good advice for her political campaign as well.
1 Comment
May 12, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Of course, you realize the commerical sponsors of this site are simply trying to gather a demographic data base of their intended focus group. This is a way to tap in and have them join the survey. Then they can determine how to position the next “wave” wedding trends that will be coming out soon.. (It’s always wedding season at my house!)