There's no secret to the fact that politics and brand marketing have quite a bit in common. Web magazine Salon.com has explored this notion in depth in a feature on Brand America and the branding of the individual presidential candidates.
In Salon's view, if Clinton were a brand, she would be Microsoft or Martha Stewart Living. McCain would be Winston cigarettes or Hummer, while his Republican rival Huckabee would be restaurant chain Applebee's or chocolate drink Yoohoo. It's obvious Salon thinks Obama is the coolest candidate, since he gets to be Apple or Nike.
Politics in Britain is increasingly presidential and brand-oriented as well. For the aborted election campaign last year, Saatchi & Saatchi came up with the slogan "Not flash. Just Gordon" for the PM. So does the same analogy work for British politicians?
If Gordon Brown were a brand what would he be? He's billed as solid, predictable, and reliable, so perhaps Weetabix or PG Tips? His position remains dominant despite a few slips and scandals - British Airways or the BBC, maybe?
Opinions divide on David Cameron - he seems to be aiming for Innocent Smoothies but to some, he's the epitome of Babycham. But, like British Gas or Marks & Spencer, he represents a British institution that is trying to reinvent itself with green credentials.
Not much is known yet about the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, but he is a former Member of the European Parliament and a former journalist, he speaks five European languages, and is a keen outdoorsman and skier. So, Eurostar? The Economist? Blacks?
Please leave your suggestions in the comments.
