“It may be the most stunning and creative attack ad yet for a 2008 presidential candidate — one experts say could represent a watershed moment in 21st century media and political advertising,” Carla Marinucci reports for The San Francisco Chronicle. “Yet the groundbreaking 74-second pitch for Democratic Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, which remixes the classic “1984” ad that introduced Apple computers to the world, is not on cable or network TV, but on the Internet.”
“And Obama’s campaign says it had absolutely nothing to do with the video that attacks one of his principal Democratic rivals, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Indeed, the ad’s creator is a mystery, at least for now,” Marinucci reports.
Hillary 1984 ad:
Marinucci reports, “The compelling ‘Hillary 1984’ video recently introduced on YouTube represents ‘a new era, a new wave of politics … because it’s not about Obama,’ said Peter Leyden, director of the New Politics Institute, a San Francisco-based think tank on politics and new media. ‘It’s about the end of the broadcast era.'”
“But some say the ad is just the latest attempt by outside activists to influence political campaigns — or the newest way for campaigns to anonymously attack their opponents.
The video is a sophisticated new take on director Ridley Scott’s controversial Apple ad that caused shock waves with its premiere during the 1984 Super Bowl, and shows the same blond young female athlete running with a sledgehammer toward a widescreen — where an ominous Big Brother figure drones to a mass of zombielike followers,” Marinucci reports. “But this time, the woman is wearing an iPod — and has her candidate’s slogan on her chest. And the Big Brother — whose image she defiantly smashes with a wave of her sledgehammer — is Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner.”
“The tagline for the attack: ‘On Jan. 14, the Democratic primary will begin. And you’ll see why 2008 won’t be like 1984.’ An updated Apple symbol — transformed into an O — is followed by the dramatically emerging logo: BarackObama.com,” Marinucci reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: In June 1999, TV Guide ran a cover story on the “50 Greatest Commercials of All Time.” Apple’s “1984” ad was #1 on the list. TV Guide wrote:
“With a single airing during Super Bowl XVIII, ‘1984’ did more to change the way ads are created and viewed than any commercial in years. It was not the most heartwarming spot nor a big laugh getter, but it turned a little-known brand into a household name and set a new commercial standard for production values and cinematic style. ‘1984’ also raised the financial stakes: Apple spent a then-outlandish sum of $400,000 to produce the ad and $500,000 to air it; 15 years later, a minute of Super Bowl time costs $3.2 million. Lee Clow, then executive creative director of Chiat/Day, recalls that ‘1984’ almost debuted during a lowlier college bowl game. ‘We had to make a last-minute switch to the Super Bowl because Apple wanted to air the ad closer to the date when the product would actually be available for sale,’ he says. ‘Funny how something that simple could have changed a big piece of advertising history.”
Did you know that Apple’s “1984” commercial, widely credited with starting the Super Bowl advertising craze, actually aired twice? The actual first airing was on a small U.S. local station — KMVT-TV (Twin Falls, Idaho) on December 15, 1983 in the 1:00am sign-off slot — in order for the spot to qualify for 1983 advertising awards.
Apple remastered the famous spot to incorporate an iPod and showed it at MacWorld Expo in January 2004. “We couldn’t resist,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs:
Related articles:
Apple’s ‘1984’ commercial named best Super Bowl ad ever – February 01, 2007
We might never know if this was a Democrat or Republican-inspired tactic, but I doubt if the ad will have any effect on Clinton’s campaign. From the author’s perspective, she appears to be looming as a freight train on the horizon with the potential to crush his or her favorite candidate.
From the Republican side, Giuliani has his own “attack” to bear in the form of a book. Freakanomics claims Giuliani wasn’t responsible for the drop in crime in New York. The drop was nationwide, and contributing factors were an increase in police (in New York’s case by the outgoing Gov) and a crash in the crack market, but the biggest factor by far was Roe versus Wade – the increase in abortions by women who decided they would’ve made unfit parents.
The crime rate started dropping when the aborted kids would’ve reached their late teens – presumably the start of their crime-committing age. Giuliani in fact fired his chief of police some years after crime started to drop when the newspapers hailed him as the architect of the drop [sic]. Presumably, this one-time effect is now over, and crime has either stabilized or is on the increase.
As you know, nothing is ever as simple as what’s largely believed. To wit, the belief in God, Windows fans, and the election of Bush.
Who is Obama?
FIGURES THAT THAT JUNGLE BUNNY’S ASSCLOWNS HAVE TO STEAL OTHER PEOPLES WORK TO MARKET THAT BIG BAG OF NUTHIN
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a GOP dirty trick. Right-wing media commentators have already tried to stir up images of a “war” between Obama & Hillary, by lying about Obama and then trying to attribute the lie to Hillary.
Unfettered thinks that Hillary “genuinely cares about people”!!!
Omygosh! What planet did you just return from??
“Give me Rudy any day.”
I’m betting you didn’t live with Rudy as your mayor in pre-9/11 New York City.
Fuck Obama and his copycay unoriginal coat tail grabbing bullshit. If that’s what he’s claiming his “presidency” is going to be all about then good ridance – right now. Sasshole campaign staff should hang in the halls infamy: oh so freakin’ clever – not!!! Especially NOT! (freakin’ jerks).
Tell us somethin good about O, not how unclever he seems to be declaring – massholes!
Bassholes!
Who cares who made (ok, made-over) the “ad?” Who cares how artistically original it is? Here’s something original – how come no one sees the meaning in this co-opted message? Have we all just assumed Hillary is the candidate? Haven’t she and Bill been telling us they’re smarter than the rest of us for some time now – do we take that at face value? ARE WE SHEEP or something?
BE INDEPENDENT, MAKE UP OUR OWN MIND. DARE TO BE INSPIRED, OPTIMISTIC AND PROUD AGAIN! Now, try to find a candidate according to these rules. Only one answer – “Don’t tell mama . . .” (you know the rest). Obama – 08!
Ron Paul for President 2008! Go to http://www.house.gov/paul to learn more about him! Or go to youtube and enter: Ron Paul CNN.
Go America!!!! Stop the war!!!!! Peace on Earth!
Q: Why hasn’t Apple sent a DMCA takedown letter to remove this spot from YouTube?
A: Because Steve Jobs doesn’t like the Clintons. And it’s good free publicity for Apple.
The thing I find the most troubling about this ad campaign is the similarity it has with the ads attacking Kerry’s war record and service history during the Bush Candicacy. Both are supposedly sponsored by a 3rd party group of supporters which in both instances seems to absolve thier respective candidates of all responsibility. I didn’t believe Bush when he denied his complicity, and I will not believe O’Bama should he attempt to do the same. I understand wanting to win but where is the line drawn, and at what cost? I, for one, was looking forward to (as much as anyone can)the absence of Bushnegative behavior for the next elections, but it would seem that O’Bama has taken a page right out of the republican play book. It’s not enough to run a respectable campaign anymore and gone are the days when an honest candidate could promise support for issues, and outline thier plan for success. If O’Bama plans to continue with the bush style tactics then I could never vote for him. To do so would advocating my support something I am totally against.
which remixes the classic “1984” ad that introduced Apple computers to the world
The “1984” ad introduced Macintosh, not Apple Computers. Apple has been around since 1976, 8 years before the “1984” commercial.
that was neither inspiring nor cleaver.
i support obama and hillary in their very difficult job of talking and inspiring people to change the direction of this country to something more progressive, sustaining and positive.
Beware of Big Brother? Look out for his bitchy sister!
Forget my last post. Apparently, Big Brother is a drag queen.
Wow, Mac and Windows tech zealots mixed in with Democrat and Republican political zealots are not a good combination…