http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BvyF351RS8&NR=1

Today in class we were discussing psychological appeals behind advertisements in today’s media. One of the interesting components of this discussion for me was the one regarding fear. By evoking, rather than instilling a sense of fear within the audience Barack Obama’s campaign hooks the audience in the first half of the commercial, and informs them of why he should be the one answering the phone keeping families safe in the second half of the commercial. This 3 a.m. phone call tactic was also used by Hillary Clinton but I decided to use this one instead.  The idea of keeping your family safe really resonates with the parents and adults watching the ad, who not by accident, are also the people most likely to vote and influence the election.  Obama’s campaign is attempting to convince a large portion of voters that he will keep their families safe and sound.  While the children are sleeping Barack Obama will be answering phones and saving the world at 3 a.m. Overall it is a very strategically effective ad in my opinion.