This is a 1-minute web spot, but per the campaign, is “expected to be edited for television use.” Maybe focuses a bit too heavily on Berwick’s ability to diagnose and repair malfunctioning automobiles, but still, an interesting approach.
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This ad is really hitting my heart strings. Don has run a really impressive campaign so far.
I think this provides a good entry point to Don Berwick’s campaign for people who don’t know him. Don has outlined an inspiring agenda based on the progressive values outlined in this video, but for me it’s his track record that seals the deal. I’d love to see a follow-up that focuses on his decades of experience turning our best aspirations into plans.
Focusing on his track record would provide a powerful multiplier effect — since every initiative he proposes can be made so much more powerful by the fact that he’s got the experience to deliver. None of the other candidates have anything close to the large-scale, nuts and bolts executive experience that Don Berwick brings to the table. He has been a transformational leader for more than 30 years and has the global track record to prove it.
A quick google search will yield decades of quantifiable results too plentiful to catalog here, but you can start with this article from McKinsey Quarterly that praises Berwick’s groundbreaking leadership as a model for large organizations in the private and public sectors. Another media outlet that doesn’t make a habit of praising progressive politicians, BusinessWeek touts Berwick’s results & data-driven leadership, saying “Berwick’s role in developing, testing, and spreading innovations is unparalleled.” Bottom line is that Don Berwick has a successful 30-year track record of turning ideals into plans and achieving what others have called impossible.
Don’s unique effectiveness as a leader, coupled with his innovative, progressive vision for Massachusetts make him the standout candidate. With 30 years worth of quantifiable, breakthrough results worldwide, Imagine what he could do as Governor!
I say this as a Berwick fan. This ad leaves me scratching my head.
The small-town-stop-and-help is an interesting intro (though I’d shorten it) but fails to make the leap to his list of issues in a compelling way. (I think it could be done. Aren’t there any stump-speech recordings that would serve? His VO is positively sedate.) And the roll-up-sleeves business is too contrived.
While I think the ad could be improved, it is refreshing and a powerful metaphor for what we need a whole lot more of in both our public and private life. Don is a humanitarian and a communitarian. And he leads by inspiring others to follow him. He appeals to our higher selves. And yes he is an idealist,but he knows that idealism is long-term realism. Don’s tract record of accomplishment shows that he can lead others to achieve great things. As a first ad, many will find it intriguing and follow up to check Don out. Future ads I trust will be designed to highlight Don’s many accomplishments and progressive agenda.
I like this new “Stop and Help” video a lot, but my favorite is still the “Moral Test” video the campaign produced back in February.
http://www.berwickforgovernor.com/videos
I just watch “Moral Test” again.
In my view, the most important short-term task of the Berwick campaign is to simultaneously grow Mr. Berwick’s name recognition and to clearly differentiate Mr. Berwick from the other candidates. The new video does neither.
In particular, a flaw in the “stop and help” theme is that the front-runner can claim (rightly or wrongly) that the front runner wants the same things as Mr. Berwick, and that the front-runner is more able to help than Mr. Berwick.
If making single-payer happen were as easy as popping a radiator cap, then we’d have single-payer already. To stay with the metaphor of the ad, single-payer is more like realizing that the engine has seized up after running without oil for a few thousand miles.
A MAJOR overhaul is needed. The best Samaritan in the world can’t do that while standing by the roadside — even with sleeves rolled up.
“Moral Test” is the better ad.
And “Stop and help” is a nice message.
“Stop and Help” is a snooze.
His message, quality healthcare for all, is at the very root of social injustice, and is the most progressive issue of all. Why make it footnote at the end?
The bottom vid on his page, from the ’13 Platform Convention, shows Berwick at his best.
+1 for the HHH reference, but it really dates the messenger.
I think it’s a sweet ad, kinda different. But Don’s easy fix to the radiator cap makes the woman into a sweet young know-nothing, and the only reaction I had was, “Sexist!” Not the reaction Don & Team Berwick were hoping for. If the scenes with the troubled motorist was re-shot with a man Don’s age, the #StopAndHelp message wouldn’t be covered over by hints of sexism, ageism, or any other -ism. Just my $0.02.
Apologies for Blockhead subject|predicate agreement problem in my post. Make that, “If the scenes with the troubled motorist WERE re-shot…”
The verb is subjunctive rather than indicative.
…seem less sexist than Berwick himself?
Berwick should stop to help another man, not a seemingly helpless woman.
Then again, I don’t think the gender roles really matter.
You have a woman and a useless man both being helped by Don. That way you’re not sexist, nor are you “not sexist”.
….that ran through my mind well. Though if I could change one thing in that ad, it would have been those horrible quick edits on the car repair sequence.
It is a bit awkward.
I had the exact same initial reaction.
I’d go further, though. I’d change the car trouble to a flat with a man struggling to change the tire on his own and Don pulling over to help. This way they fix it TOGETHER, which plays much better subconsciously, IMHO, than Don completing the fix on his own.
There are only two genders, and Berwick is a man. If the ad were two men, someone would say it’s not inclusive. I’m prepared to cut him slack on the sexism bit.
This might be easy for me to say, since I’m a man and can barely pump my own gas without spilling it on my shoes.
Don helps a couple change a tire? Because they don’t have a jack.
I’d be on the phone with AAA or my insurance roadside assistance.
It just needs to air across the commonwealth. I particularly like the idea that we are all part of the commonwealth-the mutualism and communitarian virtues that are lost on both parties these days. It’s about caring for the least of these. He should have also added that he opposes casinos, I think it ties in with the other values, that we will not rob Peter to pay Paul, that we will not subsidize a predatory industry to pay for our social services.
Great for the primary, a general election ad could work as well but should also reference his record as a small businessman and how he took care of his employees.
Nothing wrong with a 60-second spot.
they cost a lot more.