As of this morning, here are the most-viewed TV ads of the 2017 Virginia election cycle based on looking at YouTube and Facebook numbers. What struck me the most were: a) the “viral” spread of Perriello’s “Ambulance” ad, which was released right after the House’s disgraceful AHCA vote; b) how pathetic Ed Gillespie’s fallacious, absurd ad is doing; c) how many people have watched Bryce Reeves’ fearmongering, unintentionally hilarious ad (TERRORISTS STORM SUBURBIA!!! SOCCER MOMS BE VERY AFRAID!!!) and laughed their asses off; d) the fact that other candidates – Frank Wagner, Corey Stewart, Jill Vogel, Justin Fairfax, Gene Rossi, Susan Platt – are not yet up (at least to my knowledge) on TV, with just over 5 weeks to go until the June 13th primaries. With that, here are the ads!
Tom Perriello’s “Ambulance” ad, with 275,638 views on YouTube, 209,000 views on Facebook, and a ton of media coverage (plus however many people have seen it on TV, given all the times it’s been shown in paid and “earned” media on the “boob tube”), almost all of it positive from what I can tell, driving those views…
Tom Perriello’s “The President” ad, featuring Barack Obama, with 19,156 views on YouTube, 38,000 views on Facebook, plus however many people have seen it on TV. A big drop from the “Ambulance” ad in terms of “buzz” and viewership, but still clocks in at #2.
Republican LG candidate Bryce Reeves’ hysterical, over-the-top, unintentionally hilarious “Safety” ad (aka, “TERROR! Comes to Suburban Soccer Mom!!!!), with 16,657 views on YouTube, 16,000 views on Facebook, plus however many were also mocking it on TV. I strongly recommend everyone watch this ad, first for the laughs and second to know who NOT to support for Lt. Governor this year! Oh, by the way, how did that police car get in the ad, and how exactly is that legal???
Ralph Northam’s “Making Progress Every Day” ad, with 2,609 views on YouTube, 19,000 views on Facebook, plus however many people have seen it on TV (my understanding is that this ad was released as part of a “six-figure buy”).
Ralph Northam’s “Listening” ad, with 2,261 views on YouTube, 4,600 views on Facebook, plus however many people have seen it in paid advertising on TV (not sure how much has been spent to air this one).
Ralph Northam’s “Principles” ad, with 829 views on YouTube, 4,200 views on Facebook, plus however many people have seen it in paid advertising on TV (not sure how much has been spent to air this one).
Ed Gillespie’s Big Lie “Tax Cut for All Virginians” ad, with a pathetic 79 views on YouTube, 31 views on Facebook, plus however many people who have suffered through its deluge of lies and idiocy on TV (paid advertising – what a waste!).
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