Fred Davis, One of the Most Creative & Controversial Ad Makers in Politics

Fred Davis only ended up in politics due to a family tragedy and then a family connection, and yet has become one of the most creative and controversial ad makers in America. His clients include a who's who of Republican elected officials...from Bush to Dole to McCain to Schwarzenegger among dozens of others. And despite electing Presidents and numerous Republicans up and down the ballot, he's most famous for his unique perspective on advertising that has led to some of the most memorable and controversials spots of the last few decades...the McCain '08 ad comparing Senator Barack Obama to Paris Hilton, introducing soon-to-be Michigan Governor Rick Synder as "one tough nerd", "Demon Sheep" in California, and introducing the phrase "I'm Not a Witch" into popular culture. Fred is a natural story teller with a great story of an accidental path and unconventional approach to politics.

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IN THIS EPISODE

How family tragedy propels Fred into the PR at 19 years old & ultimately the ad business…

The Senate race that put Fred on the national political map…

Fred’s connection the rise of Napa Valley wines…

The stories behind some of Fred’s most famous ads…

- The “celebrity” ad against Barack Obama in 2008…

- A colorful device for Governor Schwarznegger’s 2006 re-election…

- Branding Michigan Governor Rick Synder as “One Tough Nerd”…

- The story behind the infamous Demon Sheep spot for Carly Fiorina’s 2010 Senate race…

- Fred’s concept behind the Christine O’Donnell “I’m Not a Witch” ad from the 2010 Delaware Senate race…

- The Jon Huntsman “motorcycle” announcement video…

- Fred talks one of his favorite current clients, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy…

- The story behind Fred’s first viral video for Sonny Perdue against Georgia Governor Roy Barnes…

How a high-profile conservative ad-maker is received living in liberal Hollywood…

AND Jason Alexander, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, bell bottoms, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Bon Van Inc, David Boren, Bottle Rocket, Barbara Boxer, Tom Campbell, Chateau Montelena, cheese boards, Bill Clinton, Robert Davi, Gray Davis, Dan Duckhorn, family disagreements, the Freitas Brothers, Gateway computers, good luck charms, gotcha ads, Kelsey Grammer, half-way houses, Mark Halperin, Jim Inhofe, large-format cameras, Rush Limbaugh, Lippincott, Mitch McConnell, Dave McCurdy, Dan McLagan, mirrored pedestals, Robert Mondavi, Sam Nunn, the NRSC, Ogilvy & Mather, Sarah Palin, pink tutus, Steve Schmidt, selling fishing bait, K. Wortham Smith, Steven Spielberg, J. Walter Thompson, Chuck Todd, Trinity University, True Lies, weathermen, the West End Grill, Meg Whitman, Wine Spectator & more!

Links to ads cited in this episode: 

Prison dancing (Inhofe '94)

Big Spender (Inhofe '94)

Bug Zapper (Inhofe '98)

Celebrity (McCain '08)

Schwarzenegger Re-election ('06)

One Tough Nerd (Rick Synder '10)

Demon Sheep (Fiorina '10)

I’m Not a Witch (Christine O'Donnell '10)

Huntsman Motorcycle Presidential Announcement ('12)
King Roy (Sonny Perdue '02)