A Different Kind of Political Ad Campaign
November 4, 2024
•
Justin Kerby
Alright, folks—picture this: a political ad campaign that isn’t all finger-wagging and guilt trips but instead full of sex robots, talking birth control pills, and a snarky stork dishing out babies. Enter StorkWorks, the latest brainchild from ad agency Walrus and Emmy-winning filmmaker Andrew Jarecki. They brought together a cast of comedians and Hollywood creatives to shake up political ads in the hopes of swaying those elusive undecided voters. Think Chris Parnell as a doctor who offers “Healthcare for Healthy People” (yes, that means no preexisting conditions) and a Schoolhouse Rock-inspired birth control pill explaining how it might be outlawed. It's politics wrapped in dark humor.
No matter which side of the aisle you're on, most can agree, these are well done. Here's our personal favorite, featuring Pilot Trump.
Jarecki and Walrus wanted to ditch the lecture tone and go full comedy instead, taking big issues like healthcare and reproductive rights and turning them into satire. They called up former SNL star Chris Parnell, who stepped into his 30 Rock “Dr. Spaceman” persona to pitch Trump’s healthcare plan, with some scenarios, from hunting accidents to aging as “preexisting conditions.”
Then there’s “I’m Just a Pill,” which reimagines the classic “I’m Just a Bill” jingle with a birth control pill worried about its future.
The spot, directed by Zac Stuart-Pontier and backed by the band Lawrence, caught the attention of celebs like Alicia Keys and Kerry Washington, who reposted it. And the campaign didn’t stop there: comedian Jeffrey Ross went full stork, passing out babies left and right because, as he snarks, “business is booming,” thanks to government overreach into reproductive rights. Â
But the kicker? Every single person involved—from the directors to the actors to the production crew—did this pro bono. Why? Because, as Jarecki and his team believe, this election is too important to sit back. The StorkWorks videos amassed over 5.5 million organic views within three days of launching. No paid media.
StorkWorks is proof that political ads can go beyond scare tactics. They can be funny, clever, and—dare we say it?—engaging enough to get people thinking. So, if you’re tired of the usual talking heads, check out @storkworks on TikTok and Instagram. It’s a political campaign we can actually enjoy watching, even if it’s just for the laughs.
Thanks for reading, friend. Tap the button below if you're ready to discuss your next project.
Contact UsWritten by
Justin Kerby
Justin is the founder of Something Great Marketing, leading our Vancouver marketing agency. He specializes in content strategy, website design, and branding.