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The AI Challenge and Why Humans Triumph in Political Messaging

Dot matrix image of a face, representing a generative AI voice on the left, with a Neumann U87 studio recording microphone in the middle and a young African American woman on the right, representing a human voiceover talent. The background is a dark blue to lighter blue gradient of a dot matrix field and there is a white sound wave representation in the background behind the microphone.

AI Threats Against Truth and Integrity

In an era dominated by technological advancements, the battleground of political communication faces a new frontier: the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI). As lawmakers in multiple US states grapple with the implications of AI-generated content in political messaging, the debate surrounding the ethical use of technology and the value of human-driven communication intensifies.

Generative AI presents an unprecedented challenge in the realm of political communication. Its ability to fabricate realistic images, audio, and video content raises concerns about the potential manipulation of political narratives.

According to Public Citizen, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas and Washington have already enabled legislation legislation to safeguard the integrity of political messaging. These legislative efforts aim to prevent the dissemination of deceptive AI-generated images, audio, or video intended to damage a candidate’s reputation and deceive voters.

The Human Factor: Embracing Authenticity and Trust

Amid the AI upheaval, the intrinsic value of human-driven communication continues to instill the truest and most honest sense of trust. Authenticity in political messaging, conveyed through genuine human voices, offers a vital counterbalance to the potential deception of AI-generated content. The ethical use of real human voices upholds transparency and fosters voter trust.

Embracing human-driven messaging signifies a commitment to ethical standards and to our fellow human, as well as safeguards the democratic process against misinformation and deceitful tactics.

By enacting laws that discourage the use of deceptive AI-generated content, lawmakers aim to reinforce ethical boundaries and protect the sanctity of political discourse. These legislative proposals to counter AI-generated deception signal the start of a much needed movement. One that gives humans the upper hand in delivering truthfulness and integrity in political messaging.

Amplify Your Message with the Power of Humanity

As technology continues to evolve, and AI continues to become more commonplace, the preservation of genuine human voices in political messaging is paramount to ensuring the credibility and trustworthiness of the candidates or causes they lend their voices to.

  • #politicaladvertising #politicalcampaigns #AI
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Voiceovers In Our World Are Now Everywhere

Voiceovers are Everywhere
by Dianne D. – SunSpots Productions, Inc.

We take our audio wherever we go…from our morning alarm, to the shower, to our car, on the way to class, the gym, on our dog walks, poolside and beyond.  And today, there are more and more places to hear targeted voiceover ads and political messages than ever before!  While traditional radio, TV and social media advertising buys remain marketing go-to’s, there are loads of other outlets for getting audible messages to the voting public.

Samsung Smart Refrigerator

Listen to this!  In a case study from The Trade Desk and Spotify, ads with audio boosted content recall by more than 150 percent and when combined with video and display components, recall was amplified by over 200 percent!  This article highlights some of other findings and trends.

With all that attention for eyes and ears everywhere we go, directed consumer marketing is becoming more programmatic by the minute.  That is, software designed to automate strategic ad buys on websites and apps using algorithms to specifically target our likes, dislikes, habits, and interests. But that’s a blog for another day.

The next time you’re out and about, take a listen to all the audible messages you encounter with voiceovers.  You may be surprised how certain ads follow you … and stay with you. 

Need the right voice for your audio application? We’ve got lots of them. All solid voiceover professionals and available online or call us at 407-656-3400 to discuss your needs. 

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The Political Voice of Generation Z

What Does Generation Z SoundLike?

For the impending 2020 Election; political parties, their candidates, advertisers, and the public are all wondering which age group will hold the key to swaying election results.

Bye Bye Bye…Boomers

While it’s true that Baby Boomers in their late 50’s and older generations have historically turned out at the polls most often, this upcoming election year may hold some surprising changes as the nation’s population age shifts.   *According to the Pew Research Center, Boomers are living longer and make up about 28% of eligible voters, almost equal to Gen X voters born between 1965-1980.  The next group, Millennials or the “ME generation”, born 1981-1996 have all but caught up with them at 27% of the population. The interesting discovery is that as the numbers of seniors born pre-1946 dwindle, they are nearly matched by post-1996 adults known as Generation Z, making up close to 10% of the eligible voting public.  A demographic that could tip the scale as to who will most impact upcoming elections nationwide.

The Power of Z

Generation Z is known as the “digital” generation.  These twenty-somethings have never known a time without the internet, social media networks or smart phones.  They are realistic, ethical truth-seekers who classify themselves as unique individuals with undefined identities.  The true Gen Z practices tolerance and researches to discern fact from fiction.  They are inclined to join common causes if it’s one they strongly believe in.  They want to stand out as independents with an individuality all their own.

Based on this lifetime of social media awareness and political scrutiny, the true Gen Z constituent values personal and corporate transparency. They have the communication savvy to connect with their communities with speed and confidence.

Gen Z infograph

What’s next?

So in vocal terms, what does this Generation Z sound like? You could say it’s the raspy, altruistic, fact checker with a technological expertise for video games and pursuer of just causes.  But the truer answer is…their voice is allof ours.  Constituents of this era have a unique perspective and an individual voice that resonates collectively throughout an election year diverse of all ages and ethnicities.  For Generation Z, it is the voice of inclusiveness that will be the driving force in 2020. 

Finding the right Voice Talent

How to navigate the voice search? It’s easy actually. Politicalvoicetalent.com is a service of SunSpots Productions, Inc. a global supplier of professional voice talent and creative audio production. Visit any of our web locations to listen and select qualified, pro-level, voiceover actors or call us to discuss your audio project at 800-355-SPOTS (7768) and receive personalized auditions. 

*pewsocialtrends.org – An Early Look at the 2020 Electorate, January 30, 2019 written by Anthony Cilluffo and Richard Fry

Author: Dianne D. – SunSpots Florida

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The Mueller Report is Released: What do you think?

Image of President Donald Trump. Photo Credit: Saul Loce/Getty Images
President Donald Trump

Searching for the recently released, but redacted, Mueller Report? Here’s the link to it. The report is searchable and at 400 pages ensures a well-earned rest after reading. Who knows, it may become the latest insomnia “medication”. In addition to the link above, you can click the image below and it’ll take you to the PDF.

What does it all mean? The fallout from the public presentation is falling along partisan lines with Democrats wanting to subpoena Mueller while Republicans are claiming President Trump has been vindicated. We believe this may become another hot summer politically as discussions of impeachment have begun from the Democrats.

Democrat House Intelligence Chair, Rep. Adam Schiff, said President Trump’s actions documented in the report, “are unquestionably dishonest, unethical, immoral and unpatriotic and should be condemned by every American.” On the other side of the aisle, Republican Rep. Mark Meadows said in response to the report’s release, “Prosecutors have one job, and that’s to prosecute and indict. And if Bob Mueller in two and a half years of investigation – which includes both the FBI and special prosecutor’s time – doesn’t bring charges, I don’t know how much longer we need to be talking about collusion and obstruction.”

President Trump didn’t answer reporters questions as he and First Lady, Melania were walking to their helicopter to vacation at Trump’s resort in Florida.

Our take? Read the report for yourself and judge. No doubt this discussion will last a very long time. It’s best to come to the conversations online and at the water cooler with the facts that you’ve discovered. Let the political pundits take their spins around the truth but at minimum arm yourself with knowledge direct from the Mueller Report source. Knowledge is power and the Truth shall set you free.

Image of the cover of the Mueller Report.
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Lori Lightfoot, Political Outsider, Chicago’s New Boundary Busting Mayor

Lori Lightfoot
Mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot photographed in the Chicago Tribune studio Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s Democratic Mayor-Elect, has shattered glass ceilings of all kinds in 2019’s election. She’s the first black woman and openly gay person to become Mayor in America’s third largest city.

An endorsement from the Chicago Sun-Times before the election helped push her to victory, “She has the vision, values, qualifications, and policies to be an effective leader for the whole city, from the hedge fund managers to the fast-food workers,” the newspaper’s editorial board wrote.

“She is calm, focused, principled and independent.”

Chicago Sun-Times

In a New York Times article about Lightfoot, Dan Rose, a senior adviser to the Lightfoot campaign, said she’d benefitted from recent corruption scandals in Chicago. Rose said, “It was the perfect situation for some kind of outsider who would capture that mantle and consolidate the reform-minded vote. People got fed up.”

Mayor-Elect Lightfoot speaks on her priorities for Chicago

Career Highlights

Lightfoot, who campaigned as a political outsider in Chicago, has had plenty of experience working within the city.

  • 2015-2018: President of the Chicago Police Board
  • 2016: Co-Chair of the Police Accountability Task Force
  • 2005-2018: Senior Equity Partner in the Litigation and Conflict Resolution Group at Mayer Brown LLP
  • 2005: First Deputy of the Chicago Department of Procurement Services
  • 2004-2005: Chief of Staff and General Counsel of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications
  • 2002-2004: Chief Administrator of the Office of Professional Standards, Chicago Police Department
  • 1996-2002: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

  • B.A., University of Michigan
  • University of Chicago Law School

Considering the history of violence, scandal and corruption in Chicago, Ms. Lightfoot has her work cut out for her. But if the city survived the Great Fire and Al Capone, it just might thrive under Mayor-Elect Lightfoot’s leadership. We wish her the best and congratulations to her, her wife Amy and daughter Vivian! (Shown below.)

Lori Lightfoot, Amy Eshleman and their daughter, Vivian
Source: Facebook
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Two Parties, Two Campaigns of Fear

With less than a month to go until Election Day, the airwaves and the Internet are saturated with political commercials, and the two major parties’ messages are becoming loud and clear.  Democrats have focused heavily on health care and corporate-friendly tax cuts, while Republicans are focused on the “culture wars”. The similarity between the two parties’ strategies is that they are both intended to play on fear.

Culture Wars Center Stage For Republicans

Political watchers expected the GOP to play up its tax cuts in political ads in 2018, but instead a clear pattern of attack is being seen. The message for Republicans is that Nancy Pelosi’s “liberal culture will take over America”.  While the GOP has controlled government for two years, that dominance has not translated into a winning electoral strategy.  Republicans are not gaining swing voters in most districts, but their base is solid. Winning the election, though, means convincing a few fence-sitters to vote their way. So the tactic at every level of the midterm election is to highlight culture wars between liberals and conservatives.

One example is Senator Ted Cruz, who has unexpectedly found himself in a competitive race against Democratic Representative Beto O’Rourke in typically red Texas, has been saying that Texas is “too conservative” for a Democrat. And the focus of his most recent ad is on NFL players kneeling in protest, not on policy issues.  “In November, where will you stand?”, is the conclusive question in the Cruz ad.

Democrats Stir Anxiety Over Health Care

Democrats are focused on a different fear: reinforcing the idea that Republicans want o take away American’s  health care insurance system.  Democratic candidates and PACs spent more than $40.8 million on health care campaign ads in Senate races and $38.3 million in House races just through September, and are expected to match that level in just the next few weeks.

Michigan House candidate Elissa Slotkin who served as assistant secretary of defense under President Obama,  in her race to defeat incumbent Republican Representative Mike Bishop, tweeted her most recent health care message, directed straight at the anxiety known by many voters – particularly swing voters, who are aging rapidly.  She stated that her mother couldn’t afford her premiums after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer due to preexisting conditions.

While the GOP stokes fears over cultural differences, the Democrats, unlike in 2016, are relying on messages about saving Obamacare to appeal to the white working class and suburban swing voters who rely on it.

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Targeting Voters That Matter in the 2018 Midterm Election

Conventional wisdom suggests that whichever political party turns out the most voters wins on Election Day. The thought is that it’s up to candidates to motivate partisans to get to the polls. But recent studies show that this is the opposite of the truth – it’s the voters who identify with neither the Republicans or the Democrats that choose which party wins elections.

Two Critical Groups of Swing Voters

Two types of voters will be of critical importance in the 2018 midterm elections: non-partisans who voted for Mitt Romney during the Obama-Romney race of 2012, and non-partisan voters who voted for Barack Obama in the 2016 election. Both groups comprise likely voters who changed which party’s nominee they voted for from 2012 to 2016. Which party these independent and “swing: voters select will likely determine who wins target battleground races in Congress, and which party control’s the House.

More moderate, highly educated, suburban and affluent, Romney swing voters strongly disapprove of President Trump. The New York Times said recently that Trump’s approval rating is less than 20% and more than 2/3 disapprove of his job performance. Nearly half say they will vote for Democrats in 2018.

Trump’s swing voters, on the other hand, were mostly white, less educated, middle- or working-class. And this group appears to continue to be his base, with a nearly 80% approval rating of Trump’s presidency. But like their more moderate counterparts, some may be leaning Democrat in the fall, while the Times said that only 41% say they’ll vote for a Republican in a Congressional race. Clearly, this shows an enthusiasm gap amongst Trump’s swing voter set and Republican candidates – one Democrats hope to exploit.

The Democratic Message

Democratic incumbents in “red” states need to win Trump swing voters to have a chance to take the House in 2018. In Nevada, Florida and Arizona the balance between Trump’s swing voters and Romney’s is pretty even. So the battle will be even more intense for the attention of – and therefore focused on the issues of — lesser-educated white areas.

Political ads in these states reflect the intensity. Republicans are launching a barrage of negative attack ads on incumbent House and Senate Democrats. Democratic candidates are attacking President Trump and his stance on three key policies:  health care (by far the most popular issue), the environment and immigration.

The stakes for political advertisers have rarely been higher, nor have the budgets. With just four weeks left before the mid-term election, advertisers are expected to spend as much as $800 million on political commercials.

About Political Voice Talent

At PoliticalVoiceTalent.com, we’re expert in recording political voice overs, and we can get started right away. If you need assistance in casting the right voice for your campaign, we’re happy to help with suggestions. Please, get in touch with us and let us know what you need!

 

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What’s At Stake: Republican Candidates in 2018

As we discussed in our review of what’s at stake in 2018 for Democratic candidates, much is hanging in the balance for the 2018 mid-term election, causing record levels of special interest and campaign spending on political advertising. Many states and congressional districts are seeing and hearing more political commercials than ever before, as the election is being seen as a referendum on President Trump and the Republican Party, which has holds both houses of Congress in addition to the White House.

The sheer number and intensity of the electoral contests in 2018 make political advertising all the more critical. Campaigns must find the right voice to represent them in campaign commercials, which means finding an experienced vocal talent that can persuade voters to go to the polls and vote for their candidate or issue.

All 435 House seats are up for election; Republicans have 236 and Democrats have 193, with 6 empty seats to be filled.  There has been talk of a “blue wave” of Democrats into Washington in 2018. The stakes are high for Republican candidates across America.

Congress: House Up for Grabs

Republicans currently comprise a majority of both House and Senate. This November, 35 Senate seats and 435 House seats are up for election. Senate Republicans have the slight majority with 51 seats over Democrats’ 47 (as well as two independents who frequently vote with the Democrats).

There’s been some talk of a “wave election,” which happens when there is a large shift from one party to the other, both in popular votes and in congressional seats. But political analysts think it’s likely that Democrats could take a slim majority in 2018. It’s less likely that Republicans will lose their majority in the Senate, but there are five key races – in Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota and Tennessee – that are close enough to worry Republicans.

Estimates say that more than $90 million will be spent in ad dollars in those 5 races alone. Political ads that grab attention, persuade, and compel voters to act are at a premium in these contests.

The Trump Agenda

The 2018 U.S. midterm elections are about one issue: President Donald Trump. While Trump isn’t on the ballot, voters will look back on the last two years under Trump and decide whether to stay the course, or to re-shape Congress for the next two years.

Trump’s approval ratings, around 42 percent, are near the lowest of any president at this point in his term since 1945, according to Gallup polling data. The less popular the president, the more seats his party tends to lose.

But Trump has given his base a lot to be excited about, including the approval of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, increased military budgets, roll-backs of environmental regulations, and an excellent economy. Many of those criteria, though, are also motivating Democrats, particularly around issues of sexual harassment and gender roles raised by Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, as well as environmental issues and electoral reform.

The tighter the race, the more important effective political commercials become. Motivating even one voter to pull a lever for their candidate can make a difference in whether an ad is deemed effective, and whether a candidate wins their race.

Investigations, Investigations, Investigations

Even if only one chamber of Congress goes to Democrats, Trump could face increased difficulty in dealing with Congress to get his agenda passed.  Major legislation passed would likely be dead in the water as a result of the Congressional split. Further, Trump and his administration would likely face new or re-energized investigations by Congressional committees that would switch to Democratic control.

Those investigations could include whether the Trump campaign colluded with a Russian effort to undermine the 2016 election, and would be more likely to investigate President Trump’s financial and business dealings. A Democratic House could feel it has a mandate to begin the process of impeaching Trump. Certainly, Democrats are focused on these issues, and many of the voice overs in their political commercials address suspicions of and a strong desire to investigate Trump’s history, relationships and finances.

About Political Voice Talent

At PoliticalVoiceTalent.com, we’re expert in recording political voice overs, and we can get started right away. If you need assistance in casting the right voice for your campaign, we’re happy to help with suggestions. Please, get in touch with us and let us know what you need!

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What’s At Stake: Democratic Candidates in 2018

fighting Democrat donkey

There is a lot up for grabs in the 2018 mid-term election, causing record levels of special interest and campaign spending on political advertising. Many states and congressional districts are seeing and hearing more political commercials than ever before, as the election is being seen as a referendum on the President and both political parties.

All 435 House seats are up for election; Republicans have 236 and Democrats have 193, with 6 empty seats to be filled.  Thirty-six governorships are being contested. And it plays out against the dramatic political battle over Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

The stakes have never been higher for the Democratic Party.

Congress: Blue Wave?

Republicans currently comprise a majority of both House and Senate. This November, 35 Senate seats and 435 House seats are up for election. Senate Republicans have the slight majority with 51 seats over Democrats’ 47 (as well as two independents who frequently vote with the Democrats).

There’s been some talk of a “wave election,” which happens when there is a large shift from one party to the other, both in popular votes and in congressional seats.

While there is no technical definition for a “wave,” Democrats need to flip 24 Republican House seats and keep the 194 they currently hold in order to gain control of the House.  In the Senate, they need to keep 25 and gain at least two new seats.

Races for Senate seats will be especially heated, but even House races could present a tough challenge for Republicans to hold, despite New York Times reporting that redistricting has made it particularly difficult for Democrats this election.

Governorships Up for Grabs

Democrats and their Super PACs, including MoveOn.org believe that they will be competitive in places where Democrats have not been competitive in decades.  Gubernatorial battlegrounds in 2018 include highly-visible open-seat races in several key 2020 battleground states with outgoing Republican governors, including Nevada, Florida, Michigan and Ohio. And republican incumbents appear to be in danger in Maryland, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Record out-of-state spending on political commercials is happening on behalf of Democrat and Republican candidates for governor. $1.9 billion is expected to be spent on online ads alone by special interest groups in 2018. In New Mexico alone, outside interest groups have spent more than 70% of the $185 million in ad dollars spent in support of the Democratic candidate.

The Trump Effect

Democrats are “fired up”. They’ve raised more money than ever before for a midterm election, outpacing Republican fundraising by threefold.  Democrat candidates are angry at President Trump, and their supporters are ready to support them in defending what they perceive as Trump’s attacks on their communities.

Their political ads defend education, health care as a human right, and fair immigration policy, and (perhaps ironically) attack the political system as being corrupted by political campaign spending and outside special interest groups. And the effort is coordinated nationally. MoveOn and other super PACs have spent $270 million, and there’s still a month left before the election.

Diversity in Government

Not only are Democrat candidates angry, they’re also younger and more diverse than ever before. And their political advertising shows it. Voices heard in political commercials this cycle have been female, noticeably urban, frequently friendly rather than intimidating. Certainly, the right political voice will increase in appeal when a sympathetic voice appeals to voters’ social and economic concerns.

The Democrats have 100 candidates running in House seats, more than 75% of whom are not white males. Women and minorities – who don’t fit the typical mold of politician – are beating incumbent candidates in primaries, and expect to make big impacts in the general election. In many cases, these candidates were supported by large ad campaigns featuring women’s voices and voice overs rarely heard in politics before: noticeably urban and Latino voices – including those or prominent film and voice actors – are being heard in political commercials in 2018.

 

About Political Voice Talent

At PoliticalVoiceTalent.com, we’re expert in recording political voice overs, and we can get started right away. If you need assistance in casting the right voice for your campaign, we’re happy to help with suggestions. Please, get in touch with us and let us know what you need!

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Modern Political Advertising Requires Trusted Voices

donkey and elephant icons at microphone

What makes a voice over in a political commercial compelling, interesting, and trustworthy?

Political scientists tell us that political advertising is only marginally effective.  Then why do campaigns make political commercials? Because even the slimmest margin in a winner-take=all political race makes a huge difference.

Political literature also tells us that the most effective political ads share common elements: They’re brief and to the point; they attempt to build trust in the candidate or issue; and they raise and answer questions , compelling voters to choose a side.

Short and Sweet

Television viewers have been trained to digest content in 30- and 60-second clips. This format was the standard – and still is – for most television advertising, including political commercials. Even as the advertising industry tells us that 15-second ads are nearly as effective as 3-0-second ones at half the cost, it continues to promote the longer ad. But think of it this way: people’s attention span is short and getting shorter.  You have 8 second to grab their attention before they go to another website. So it’s critical to get your message across very quickly.

A compelling voice over in your campaign ad can be the difference between an ad that grabs web visitors’ attention and one that doesn’t.  Making complicated issues and information make sense in 15 second or less is not easy – but the payoff for the extra effort used in creating a shorter ad is a more engaged audience.

Build Trust Through Transparency

Voters want to connect with their candidates in a way that makes them feel like they know the person the candidate really is. Their vote is valuable to them, and they don’t want to give it to just anybody.  This is one way that biographical ads are effective; they give the voter “insider” information or expertise they feel they need to make a good voting choice.

Winning votes is largely a popularity contest:  Voters choose who they like over who can prove having voters’’ best interests at heart. Counter-intuitive?  Sure. But tried and true. Biographical ads or personality pieces can portray the candidate as honest, friendly, or experienced, and create a feeling of trust.

Giving voters an inside look at whom the candidate is, voters believe they understand candidates’ personalities and philosophies better than through policy ads.  And a great way to deliver that personality is through effective political voice overs.  The right political voice actor can present a candidate in a way that his or her own voice might not.

Motivating Voters Through Online Advertising

Online political advertising and social content isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Google and the Federal Election Commission estimate that $1.9 billion will be spent on online ads alone for the midterm election season. But certainly, not all of that money is spent wisely by political campaigns.

With social media, email, and website content being so critical to shaping political  opinions and creating a cohesive, actionable message, it’s critical that the political ads campaigns use be produced for online use as well as traditional media.

For reputable, trustworthy, motivational voices, choose a voice over actor from PoliticalVoiceTalent.com.