Museum of the Moving Image
What Makes an Effective Ad?
As an introduction to a series of related resources that examine political advertising and commercials from 1952-2012, class members use the provided rubric to analyze and rate the effectiveness of the emotion, persuasion, factual...
Museum of the Moving Image
AdMaker, Obama vs. McCain, “Fundamentals” (2008)
Truth is often left on the cutting room floor when political ads are produced. After viewing the 2012 backfire ad, "Fundamentals" that takes John McCain's comments on the US economy out of context, class groups edit the audio and video...
Museum of the Moving Image
AdMaker, Nixon vs. Humphrey, “Convention” (1968)
After viewing the infamous 1968 Presidential campaign ad, "Convention," groups use AdMaker to create their own 30 second ad that features Richard Nixon rather than Hubert Humphrey.
Museum of the Moving Image
Playing on Emotions: Focus on Political Ads Featuring Children
Political ads are designed to play on viewers' emotions. The focus of this resource is on ads that feature children, either to establish the candidate as family friendly, or to create fear for children in the minds of viewers. Groups...
Museum of the Moving Image
Understanding the Language of Political Ads
The verbal techniques and emotional appeals contained in the language used in political ads plays a vital role in creating the impact of the ad. As class members continue their study of Presidential campaign commercials from 1952–2012,...
Museum of the Moving Image
Political Ads in Historical Context
Campaign ads target both timely issues and general themes. Presidential campaign ads from 1952 and 1988 provide class members an opportunity to compare how the topics ads choose to address can dramatically influence election outcomes.
Museum of the Moving Image
Developing Critical Analysis
To gain an understanding of how images and sounds are used to influence viewers, class members analyze these features in Presidential campaign commercials from 1952-2012.
Museum of the Moving Image
Evaluating Information: Focus on the 2008 Election
Just how true is the information contained in political ads? Determining the veracity of campaign ads from the 2008 presidential race is the focus of a lesson that introduces class members to several fact-checking resources.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: Living Room Candidate (Campaign Ads)
Online exhibition of presidential campaign ads, 1952-2008, organized by election year, theme, and political issue. Audio/video presentations of ads can be viewed alongside written transcripts, making Living Room Candidate particularly...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1952 Eisenhower vs. Stevenson
"It's Time for a Change"."You Never Had It So Good". View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1952election. Includes video clips, information about thecandidates, and election results.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1956 Eisenhower vs. Stevenson
"Peace, Prosperity, and Progress". "Vote Democratic, the Party for You, and Not Just a Few". This online exhibition features presidential television campaign commercials from the 1956election. Includes video clips, information about...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1960 Kennedy vs. Nixon
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1960 election with the slogans "Kennedy: Leadership for the '60s" and "Nixon-Lodge: They Understand What Peace Demands". Includes video clips, information about the candidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1964 Johnson vs. Goldwater
"Vote for President Johnson on November 3. The Stakes Are Too High for You to Stay at Home"."In Your Heart You Know He's Right". View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1964election. Includes video clips, information about...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1968 Nixon vs. Humphrey vs. Wallace
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1968 election that included the slogans "Vote Like Your Whole World Depended on It" and "Humphrey-Muskie, Two You Can Trust". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1972 Nixon vs. Mc Govern
"President Nixon. Now More Than Ever"."McGovern. Democrat. For the People". This online exhibition features presidential television campaign commercials from the 1972 election. Includes video clips, information about thecandidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1976 Carter vs. Ford
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1976 election that included the slogans "Leadership for a Change" and "He's Making Us Proud Again". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and election results.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1980 Reagan vs. Carter vs. Anderson
"Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1980electionthat included the slogans"The Time Is Now for Strong Leadership" and "Re-Elect President Carter on November 4"....
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1984 Reagan vs. Mondale
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1984 election that included the slogans "America Is Back" and "Fighting for Your Future". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and election results.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1988 Bush vs. Dukakis
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1988 election that included the slogans "Experienced Leadership for America's Future" and "The Best America Is Yet to Come". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1992 Clinton vs. Bush vs. Perot
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1992 election that included the slogans "For People, For a Change" and "Commander-in-Chief". Includes video clips, information about the candidates, and election results.
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 1996 Clinton vs. Dole
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 1996 election that included the slogans "Building a Bridge to the 21st Century" and A Better Man for a Better America". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 2000 Bush vs. Gore
The 2000 presidential election was the closest in American history. View presidential campaign advertisement that included the slogans "A Fresh Start" and "Prosperity for America's Families". Features video clips, information about the...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 2004 Bush vs. Kerry
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 2004 election that included the slogans "Steady Leadership in Times of Change" and "Stronger at Home, Respected in the World". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and...
Museum of the Moving Image
Museum of the Moving Image: 2008 Obama vs. Mc Cain
View presidential campaign advertisement from the 2008 election that included the slogans "Change We Can Believe In" and "Country First". Features video clips, information about the candidates, and election results.