There's a photo I created that can be used as a postcard. it's at the bottom of my Dean page.


Speaking of public domain images, I've created a photo that can be used as postcard to support the Dean campaign. It's at the bottom of my Dean page.


I've got Dean buddy icons and website banners on my site now as well as the Dean Webring. Check out the links in the left column of my Dean page.

www.carlwithak.com/dean2004.php

-K


Someone should set up a "Dean downloads" site to host all these images (in case the originals go away) and also link to bumper stickers and other merch.


I personally think we should only be buying materials from the official Dean store. Any marketing expert would tell us that branding an image is the most important thing we should be doing and you do that by using the same brand (logo). Just my two cents. I think these cafe shops have served their purposes in lue of having an official store. I think we should all be linking to the Dean Mart now.


Hey Carl - I know nothing about marketing so bear with me here. Do you think I should take down the banners or refrain from making further ones that don't have the official Dean campaign look (i.e. will they actually hurt Dean's chances by diluting his brand?)

I know branding is one thing the Republicans are better at than us Dems, and that it's hurting us, so I want to do everything I can to help...


Branding is certainly important, but there is a slightly bigger issue that is important as well.

The items available in the Dean Mart are lame to say the least. I am not sure who is working on sign design, but the cafeshops merchandise is far superior.

For some reason their best sign, looks like it has a typo on it... "THE DOC TOR IS IN"??????

If you could just get the website on this sticker, it would be the best one of the bunch (http://www.cafeshops.com/deanforamerica.5370783)

The cafeshop has some fantastic merchandise in it and it would be a shame to see it go away for the far inferior merchandise from the Dean Mart.


A few concerned emails to the campaign about the design of their merchandise couldn't hurt.

That said, Karl is right. For better or worse, their decisions are the ones that count. Surely many Gore supporters had problems with the looping star thingy, but it was -- and is -- important to stick to the official design.

We should keep making the web banners, buddy icons, and everything else. But maybe it's best for the candidate if we try to use -- or at least remain "inspired by" -- the official theme.

Perhaps establishing contact with the campaign and making a few suggestions is the best way to dissent on the design question.


I have no problem with the banner links and buddy icons... those I think are more personal. I do think however that the most important thing someone can see on a bumper sticker, yard sign, or other campaign item is the name DEAN... Unlike us, most American's don't pause to look at a yard sign or bumper sticker. To them it's all about repeat viewing and it's all subconscience. They see the same thing enough times and it sticks. I'm all about keeping it simple. Some of you may know the saying "keep it simple stupid". I think we should be pushing people to the official merchandise site as much as possible... a) their materials are of a better quality b) they are union made. c) branding d) they will be adding more items as time goes on.

Remember, we are talking to America. A country insane enough to forget that Bush was never elected president. The people we are after aren't all like us. Many don't know who Dean is and they need that initial introduction. I think the official merchandise best does that.


Dean Mart profit do not go to campaign, as said on DeanMart page itself (it is run by DemStore, a for-profit that also sells Kerry and Edwards merchandise). What point then to favor it? Cafe shop designs are same branded images as campaign also also. See:

http://www.cafeshops.com/ deanfor...america.5370783

http://www.cafeshops.com/ deanfor...america.5370738

http://www.cafeshops.com/ deanfor...america.5370514

http://www.cafeshops.com/ deanfor...america.5347283

http://www.cafeshops.com/ deanfor...america.5347282

etc.

Johan



my humble opinion: the only branding that matters are teh words "Dean for America". Its not graphics but words that matter.


I'd be careful about the legality of turning money around from cafe to the Dean camp. Some could consider that bundling or a way to get around donation limits. We have to be very careful in the McCain/Feingold era. Simple mistakes now = jail time. If it turns out this is okay, i'm all in favor of it. Though I'd rather have item with the union bug.