pam

“Pam”

In the midst of an ongoing ethics investigation, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., faced what The New York Times called “the most substantial challenge of his career.” Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson challenged him in a newly redrawn district that had its African-American population reduced from 68% to 53%. In addition, a Texas Super PAC spent nearly $100,000 against him.

Main Street responded with two emotional TV ads and a series of tough radio ads that helped Congressman Jackson seize control of the dialogue and, ultimately, go on to a much-bigger-than-expected 71%-29% win.

Roll Call said Jackson ran a “textbook, skilled campaign” and the Daily Kos called Jackson’s TV ads “emotional” and “powerful.”

denise

“Denise”

“Denise” is the second in a pair of TV ads that helped Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. achieve a 71% to 29% primary win.

In the midst of an ongoing ethics investigation, Congressman Jackson, Jr., faced what The New York Times called “the most substantial challenge of his career.” Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson challenged him in a newly redrawn district that had its African-American population reduced from 68% to 53%. In addition, a Texas Super PAC spent nearly $100,000 against him.

Main Street responded with two emotional TV ads and a series of tough radio ads that helped Congressman Jackson seize control of the dialogue and, ultimately, go on to a much-bigger-than-expected 71%-29% win.

Roll Call said Jackson ran a “textbook, skilled campaign” and the Daily Kos called Jackson’s TV ads “emotional” and “powerful.”

kaptur

“Two Sheriffs”

In Ohio, the Republican-passed redistricting plan pitted two long-time Democrats, Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, against one another in the 2012 primary.

The district favored Kucinich: 65% is in the Cleveland media market while only 35% is in the Toledo market. Moreover, only 46% of the new district’s population were in Kaptur’s old district. Making matters worse, Kucinich outspent Kaptur overall and a Republican-controlled SuperPAC spent another $257,000 against her.

Nonetheless, with a series of factual but hard-hitting TV and radio ads, we were able to seize control of the dialogue and put Kucinich on the defensive. In a race that was billed as “too close to call,” Kaptur wound up winning by a whopping 17 points — 56% -39% in a 3-way race.

horace

“Horace”

“Horace” is another one of our ads that helped Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Toledo) secure a 17 point win against Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Cleveland) after the Republican-passed redistricting plan pitted these two long-time Democrats against one another in the 2012 Ohio primary.

The district favored Kucinich: 65% is in the Cleveland media market while only 35% is in the Toledo market. Moreover, only 46% of the new district’s population were in Kaptur’s old district. Making matters worse, Kucinich outspent Kaptur overall and a Republican-controlled SuperPAC spent another $257,000 against her.

Nonetheless, with a series of factual but hard-hitting TV and radio ads, we were able to seize control of the dialogue and put Kucinich on the defensive. In a race that was billed as “too close to call,” Kaptur wound up winning by a whopping 17 points — 56% -39% in a 3-way race.

msc2011

2011 Demo Reel

At Main Street, we know that exceptionally creative, high-quality ads, plus a team with a deeply personal committment to your campaign, can make all the difference on Election Day. But don’t just take our word for it. In this reel, you’ll hear from those whose opinion matters most: our clients. Learn how we’ve helped our candidates win time and again, even against difficult odds and powerful, well-funded opponents.

Our 2011 demo reel includes interviews with Rep. Elijah Cummings (D, Maryland), Rep. John Olver (D, Massachusetts), Gov. John Baldacci (D, Maine), Rep. Collin Peterson (D, Minnesota), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D, Ohio), Rep. John Yarmuth (D, Kentucky), Rep. Joe Donnelly (D, Indiana), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D, Maryland), State Sen. Jim Brochin (D, Maryland), Rep. Mike McIntyre (D, North Carolina), and Rep. Raul Grijalva (D, Arizona).

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“Desk”

The “desk ad” was the most talked-about campaign ad in Louisville in 2010. It used humor to introduce Greg to voters and convey his mesage about being the “Neighborhood Mayor” in a clever and humorous way. The ad helped Greg win this county-wide race 52%-48%, despite being outspent by more than $1 million in the primary and another $1 million in the general.
trees

“Trees”

Despite being outspent by more than $1 million, in the final two weeks of the campaign, Greg Fischer held a 20-point lead over his nearest rival, City Council President Jim King. When King went on the attack, we chose to stay positive and make it easier to keep the party united for a tough general election. This ad responded to King’s negative attack and helkped us cruise to a 25-point win.
unsinkable

“Unsinkable Spirit”

This first ad was our bio ad for Greg Fischer, a businessman who had never before held elective office. The ad laid out Fischer’s background, experience, and vision for the city. After it aired for 10 days, we went up 18 points in the polls and ultimately won the Democratic primary by 25 points — despite starting out in third place and being outspent by more than $1 million.
bishop

“Crazy Things”

One of the most effective type of ads is to turn a candidate’s own words against him or her. This ad for Rep. Sanford Bishop takes the opening of his Republican opponent’s ad and uses it as the basis for a negative attack. In 2010, Rep. Bishop went on to a 51% -49% victory despite being accused of repeated scandals and the Republicans spending millions of dollars in independent expenditure ads against him.
grijalva

Rep. Raul Grijalva

In 2010, Rep. Raul Grijalva was in a race rated a “toss-up” by Charlie Cook; polling showed Grijalva in a dead-heat with his oppoent. We launched a series of comparative ads designed to distinguish Raul from his opponent’s ultra-conservative views. They worked: Raul went on to a 50%-45% victory in 2010.