Brands Go Banana's For Obama

It may well be Obama’s big day next week, and even though he’s not gone cap-in-hand to brands to fund the occasion, that’s not to say that certain household favourites won’t be pulling out the stops to associate themselves with it… In fact there’s something for everyone if you look hard enough:

Thirsty? How about Pepsi “hope” or change” badges? Rumours are the big blue will be handing them out on the streets next week.

Hungry? How about the “stars and stripes” Dunkin’ Donut all of next week?

Hungry tech-head? Quaker Oats is supplying oatmeal to 11 bloggers' parties to promote a campaign to feed 1m low income families…

Design-hungry? Or the Ikea Oval Office? Pop down to Washington’s Grand Union station and see for yourself…

Couch-potato? QVC will be selling Obama memorabilia including coins (20 bucks!) and the “Presidential” pocket watch (90 bucks) – Elizabeth Duke eat your heart out.

Associative marketing should make sense. Without needing any explanation or creative copywriting, as a consumer, you should just get it.

I’m all for piggy-backing major calendar events to create some noise, but the above examples seem, to be honest, weak.

So here’s a list of 5 Obama / brand campaigns I’d loved to have seen on the streets next week …

1. Bob the Builder / Playmobil White House set scale model: “Kenya build it – yes we can”!
   
   
2. Silent Night bed / mattress installation on the street: “Dreams can come true”
   
   
3. Roc-A-Fella records free download single: “Obamarappin’ / American Dream”
   
   
4. The Facebook Obama-app: “…makes the world more open and connected”
   
   
5. Oxfam / Obama pin badges: “Be humankind”

Post your best (and worst) here…

Til next time!

Ben