Edited Nostalgic Ad Becomes Controversial
The airing of the doctored nostalgic advertisement in the SuperBowl event has led to controversy following the Presidential Elections.
Robert F. Kennedy got featured in a new TV ad, promoting his political campaign on Sunday, 11th February 2024. Mr. Robert, an environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist is independently running for the presidential elections.
The 30 second retro-ad aired just prior to SuperBowl’s Halftime. It had the name Kennedy spoken musically almost 15 times as a dramatic jingle was the marketing ad of President John F. Kennedy’s 1960 elections.
The mimicking of the original ad and replacing images of JFK with RFK Jr. has led to resentments in the Kennedy family.
Kennedy Cousins Irked on RFK Jr.
RFK Jr’s cousin, Bobby Shriver posted on X, accusing RFK Jr. for using their Uncle and his mother’s faces. He further remarked that his mother would be ‘appalled’ by the anti-vaccine opinions and alarming perceptions on health held by Robert. He asserts that his mother, unlike RFK Jr, was an ardent proponent of vaccines and healthcare.
Bobby’s this tweet got seconded by another cousin – Mark Shriver, shared his thoughts with his brother. ‘It is as simple as that’.
When RFK Jr. announced his entry in the elections, his family did not supprot his decision and called this gesture to compete against Joe Biden ‘dangerous for the country.’
Mark and Bobby are President John F. Kennedy’s sister’s boys.
RFK Jr. replied to his cousins sharp expression with an apology post- reading ‘Bobby i am so sorry if that advertisement caused you pain.’ he further clarified that he had no role in the broadcasting of the ad and it was the American Values Superpac’s decision.
The rules restrict Superpacs to consult the political parties to air their campaigns.
Kennedy Apologises for the Ad while Promoting It
Kennedy ended the message by saying ‘I send you and your family my sincerest apologies. God bless you.’
However, despite the apology, Robert kept promoting the ad on his social media platform. Campaign spokesperson, Stefanie Spear thanked the American Values Pac for airing the ad. She expressed their ‘pleasant surprise.’
This is a smart strategy for the Kennedy team. The ad has nostalgic elements that speak to the audience and link him to his predecessor and revive a sense of familiarity and reverence from the voters.
Youngest President’s Campaign a Strategic Asset?
The unedited ad portrayed JFK as a bridge between youth and experienced. The ad spoke on Kennedy’s enthusiasm and vigour for making changes and having the maturity and experiences to persevere the policies. Democratic leader, President JFK, was the youngest-ever president to be elected.
The ad had a tuneful jingle, having the slogan “Do you want a man for president who’s seasoned through and through? A man who’s old enough to know and young enough to do?”
Interestingly, RFK Jr, three-decades older than JFK,, is the youngest among his rivals at the age of 70 years. Donald Trump, 77 and Joe Biden, 81 have struggled due to their age factor in establishing credibility.
