Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC
Strategic Communications
  • Home
  • What We Offer
  • Guiding Values
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Contact Us

What Works Isn't Always What's Right

11/6/2014

0 Comments

 
PictureImage: bplanet/freedigitalphotos.net
After this week, the guys who pick up my recycling bin will be dealing with a much lighter load. It isn’t that I’ve backed off my commitment to recycling; rather, I’m no longer tossing enormous stacks of political mailers.

I shudder to think of how much CO2-removing flora were sacrificed to create this year’s campaign detritus. Every day, mounds of slick flyers landed in my mailbox (and destined for immediate disposal). While a precious few touched on issues that matter, the vast majority blared the dire consequences to all of humanity should even one vote be cast for that candidate’s opponent.

The deluge of mailers and other advertisments seemed especially heavy this year—an apparent result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2010 that lifted restrictions on independent political advertising. The onslaught has prompted much sturm und drang among the electorate, especially over negative ads.

With voter approval of politicians, particularly Congress, at historic lows, coupled with anger over negative ads, you’d think candidates would insist upon a clean fight focused on issues that matter to their constituents. And yet, that’s rarely what’s been served these past months.

The question for communications professionals is, why?

Turns out the science isn’t clear on whether negative messaging works. Donald Green, a professor of political science at Columbia University, noted on Scientific American’s website that 20 years of research hasn’t found the answer. One study found negative ads were more memorable, while another found the impact of any advertising—positive or negative—didn’t last long enough to carry to the voting booth.

“Although evidence on the effectiveness of negative political ads is inconclusive, campaign consultants clearly believe in their power, which explains why negative ads are so often used,” wrote Green.

As communicators, we employ strategies that have measurable outcomes. Yet this is an example where the ends shouldn’t justify the means. True, some criticism is necessary to distinguish one candidate from another. But vicious character attacks go beyond the pale, regardless of political persuasion.

Sadly, the take-no-prisoners approach has been a trait of our political process since its inception. Even so, I hope the politicians and communicators of the next election cycle will find ways to engage voters’ minds instead of trying to stoke their paranoia.

0 Comments
    Picture

    Rick Chambers

    Rick is the owner and president of Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Accuracy
    Code Of Ethics
    Communication Ammo
    Communications
    Digital News
    Fairness
    Firefly
    Integrity
    Internal Communication
    Lie
    Loyalty
    Matt Friedman
    Media Relations
    Pr
    Print News
    Prsa
    Public Relations
    Radiance
    Recognition
    Sean Williams
    Serenity
    Spin
    Star Trek
    Star Trek Phase Ii
    Tanner Friedman
    Truth

    RSS Feed

About Us

Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC, brings a solid track record of strategic, diverse, objective-based communications and public relations services. RC&A works closely with clients to understand their business, develop stakeholder relationships, build meaningful dialogue and help share their stories effectively.

Picture
Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC
1514 Kingsbury Drive
Portage, MI 49002-1664
USA
269.873.5820
info@rickchambersassociates.com