Hafta 485: Political ads, Amethi-Rae Bareli fight, Kejriwal’s return
May 18, 2024
auto_awesome
Advertising guru Santosh Desai and multimedia artist Anurag Minus Verma discuss the impact of political advertisements, influencers in communication, and the elections in Amethi and Rae Bareli. They also touch on Kejriwal's temporary bail and his speech about Modi retiring. Insights on political ads not reaching a wide audience, unemployment as a big concern, and confusing voters with speeches.
Political ads lack persuasive messaging for undecided voters, focusing more on energizing the base.
Unemployment emerges as a critical concern among voters in UP and Bihar, shaping alliances and sentiments.
Influencer marketing agencies have become crucial in communication strategies, surpassing traditional political ads.
The media plays a significant role in shaping political narratives and public opinion.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's speech about PM Modi's retirement is viewed as a tactic to confuse voters.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Advertising Agencies and the Impact of Digital Media
Advertising agencies have evolved due to international management, losing their soul, and a shift to digital media. The focus on narrative storytelling has overshadowed mnemonic strategies, reducing the memorability of ads. Advertising agencies are struggling due to the overload of information and the democratization of creative platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Ineffective Political Ad Strategies
Political ads lack strategic persuasive messaging for undecided voters, failing to offer a compelling reason to sway opinions. While ads energize the base, they fall short in changing minds and shaping popular culture. The absence of coherent overarching narratives hampers their persuasive impact.
The Impact of Digital Media on Generations
The book 'The Anxious Generation' by Jonathan Haidt delves into the digital impact on generational formation post 2012, highlighting the decline in mental health. Haidt argues that the smartphone's ubiquity since 2012 has led to increased anxiety and other mental health issues.
Challenges Faced by Advertising Agencies Today
Advertising agencies struggle to remain relevant due to their international structural focus, loss of creative soul, and a digital integration shortfall. The democratization of creation via social media platforms has shifted creativity away from traditional agencies, impacting their cultural influence and creativity.
The Influence of Viral Videos on Brand Sponsorship
Brand sponsorship hinges on the virality of content, leading to offers from diverse brands. While some brands seek to integrate into popular videos, ethical concerns may steer content creators away. Political parties also tap into influencers for their marketing strategies.
Election Dynamics and Insights from UP and Bihar
In the political landscape of UP and Bihar, unemployment emerges as a critical concern among voters, prompting discussions on opposition leaders' responses and the government's strategies. The impact of economic policies, such as food grain distribution and direct benefit schemes, shapes voter sentiments and alliances.
Media's Role in Shaping Political Narratives and Public Opinion
The podcast delves into the media's influence on political narratives, highlighting the role of information dissemination in shaping public opinion. The discussions extend to the impact of leaders' statements, the media's portrayal of events, and the nuances of democracy versus authoritarianism in the current political climate.
The Debate on Voting Methods in India
The podcast episode delves into the debate surrounding voting methods in India, particularly focusing on the discussion around run-off elections. The speaker expresses concerns about the practicality of run-offs, highlighting the challenges of implementing such a system within India's political framework. Additionally, the episode analyzes the constituent assembly's debate on voting methods, ultimately leading to the adoption of the first-past-the-post system. The discussion also touches on the representation aspect of elections, questioning the legitimacy of a candidate winning with a low percentage of votes.
Exploring Various Political Issues and Reader Feedback
The podcast episode covers a range of political issues and incorporates feedback from readers. It discusses topics such as election reports, scandals in politics, and the effectiveness of opposition parties in India. Additionally, the episode delves into a conversation about the usage of digital payments in India and the trust in electoral processes. The speaker also reflects on personal viewpoints regarding political figures and their strategies. Overall, the episode provides insights into diverse political matters and engages with audience feedback.
This week, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Jayashree Arunachalam and Anand Vardhan are joined by advertising guru and columnist Santosh Desai and multimedia artist Anurag Minus Verma.
On the impact of political advertisements, Santosh says it has “never” been a significant player, as ads “simply fail” to reach an audience “beyond a certain comfort zone”. Anurag says influencer and meme marketing agencies instead have become “very important” in communication strategies.
The conversation moves to the elections in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi and Rae Bareli. Manisha, who reported from the two constituencies, says that unemployment is a “really big concern”. She says that while people are talking about it from village to village, it is not a sign of anti-incumbency. “A lot of them say Modi should focus on this [employment] in his third term.”
On the temporary bail of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and his speech about Prime Minister Narendra Modi retiring before turning 75, Anand says, “It is a ploy to confuse voters.”
This and a whole lot more. Tune in!
We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here.
Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media.
