SAN DIEGO, June 21, 2012 – The War for the Iron Throne on the smash HBO hit series Game of Thrones isn’t unlike the war currently underway for the office of President of the United States. So it was only a matter of time until some clever people had fun imagining of Game of Thrones as a modern American political campaign, complete with classic negative campaign political attack ads. Cue the ominous music, distorted photos and lurid claims.
Who could have predicted this wicked funny trio of parody ads would come from people at the respected left-leaning political magazine Mother Jones? Yes, and they have their bases covered from both sides of the political aisle. Birther issues? Check. Aiding and abetting terrorists? Check. Climate change? Check. Employing illegal aliens? Check. Breaking promises made in previous campaigns? Check.
The commercial attack ads feature three of the characters from George R.R. Martin’s series who all have designs on the Iron Throne: Joffrey Baratheon, the incumbant; Daenerys Targaryen, and Robb Stark.
Look past the lack of high-level production values. The genius is in the scripting, the dead-to-rights accuracy and tone of the political insults; and the smart references to Game of Thrones touchstones. Fans of the series will love them. Fans of the series who are also astute observers of modern politics will shriek with glee.
Tying the birther issue to Joffrey Baratheon is sheer brilliance. The tag line is simple and hilarious. The Robb Stark ad includes a clever reference to “sending a raven” in the same way voters would be asked to “send a message” in any other political campaign.
Joffrey Baratheon made a target too good to resist for the political parody team at Mother Jones magazine. Photo: Mother Jones.
Smart observers immediately picked up on the fact that the sponsor credit in the Robb Stark ad is Crossbows GPS, a nod to Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Super PAC (Political Action Committee). No doubt Rove loves the tip of the hat.
Let’s hope Mother Jones doesn’t stop here. Who wouldn’t want to see an attack ad about the oversized carnal appetites of the politically brilliant imp Tyrion Lannister, a la Bill Clinton? Or an ad questioning cultlike religious beliefs aimed at Stannis Lannister? Mitt Romney much? King-Beyond-The-Wall Mance Rayder IS Ron Paul, but he doesn’t appear until the third novel and third year of the series to come. So it would be a spoiler to suggest an ad attacking his decision to desert the Night’s Watch to join the Free Folk because he wouldn’t play nice with others.
Enjoy the Game of Thrones attack ads from Mother Jones. I’m a Game of Thrones fan and I approved this message.
Daenerys Targeryen Mother of Dragons Ad
Joffrey Baratheon What a Bastard Ad
Robb Stark Cult of Celebrity Ad
Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, is President/Owner of the Falcon Valley Group in San Diego, California. Read more Media Migraine in the Communities at The Washington Times. Follow Gayle on Facebook and on Twitter @PRProSanDiego.
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Copyright © 2012 by Falcon Valley Group
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