The Convention Communication Experience
Every four years we see a communication experience in action at the conventions. Tonight we started with the Democratic Convention, and I'll make some brief comments on (most) of the nights.
Opening Highlights. There were two:
- Michelle Obama - a match for Barack Obama in communicating ability. This was unlike any other potential First Lady speech ever given. She did an amazing job, hitting the right notes for the family image - with fiery rhetoric for the Obama value.
This was not just the wife giving a biography - she was powerful. (And she used the teleprompter well.)
- Ted Kennedy - it was amazing that he was there and then spoke with such energy. Amazing, and like his politics or not, you have to admire him and the tradition he brought to the proceedings.
Biggest miss:
- Nancy Pelosi was also great at communicating the attack message, but she was not only not featured, she was almost invisible in TV coverage. You can probably only target="_blank"find her excerpts on CNN's website.
- The Democratic Convention itself - there were more talking heads from CNN and the Networks than there were substantive messages from the podium. The producers did not use their forum well in prime time on this first night to create a memorable communication experience.