Political Ad Voice Over: Traditional vs AI

When it comes to political ads, the voice over talent plays a pivotal role. The political voice over can be a powerful tool for conveying a candidate's...

When it comes to political ads, the voice over talent plays a pivotal role. The political voice over can be a powerful tool for conveying a candidate's message, connecting with target audiences, and differentiating a political campaign. From New York to New Jersey, both Democratic and Republican parties, as well as special interest groups and PACs, invest heavily in professional political voiceover work for their political commercials.

Today, there's an increasing diversity in the voices we hear in political advertising. From the strong and authoritative voice of an African American leader, the comforting voice of a millennial next door, to the inspiring tone of a female voice - these varying voices aim to reach and resonate with different demographics. This includes Generation X, educators, and bilingual communities.

Political Ad Voice Over

See an example of an AI political ad and also, given the nature of this article, don't forget to cast your vote on what will your mix be. Will it be more AI and less traditional or vice versa?

There are various types of political ads:

1. Television ads: These are often short commercials aired on television stations. They may showcase the candidate's achievements, future plans, or contrast their policies with their opponents.
2. Radio ads: These are ads that are broadcast on radio channels. They typically consist of a voice-over narration promoting the candidate or their policies.
3. Print ads: These appear in newspapers, magazines, brochures, and other printed materials. They often include photos of the candidate and detailed information about their platforms.
4. Digital or online ads: With the growth of the internet, digital ads have become increasingly popular. These can be displayed on social media platforms, websites, or sent directly to voters via email.
5. Direct mail ads: These are physical mail pieces, often in the form of postcards or flyers, sent directly to the voter's home.
6. Outdoor ads: These include billboards, posters, or banners placed in public places for high visibility.

For now, we’ll address ads that use audio and video.

In many countries, Ai political ads are heavily regulated to prevent misinformation, slander, and to ensure a fair electoral process. These regulations might include spending limits, restrictions on the timing and location of ads, and rules for disclosing sponsorship information.

Creating a political ad for radio, television, or streaming services takes time and money.

In the past, getting the perfect political voice over talent meant working with a talent agency, usually involving expensive fees, complicated contracts, and time constraints. Not to mention the logistical challenges of coordinating schedules and studio spaces. However, modern technology has paved the way for more efficient and cost-effective solutions. Tools like Source Connect, Skype, and phone patch systems allow for high-quality remote recording. This means that a voice actor can now work from a home studio, reducing overhead costs and providing greater flexibility in recording times.

Here’s just an outline of what entails in creating a political ad for television, radio, or streaming services.

1. Establishing the Campaign Message and Strategy: This is the foundation of any political ad. It involves identifying key messages, defining the target audience, and determining how best to reach them. This step could take a few weeks to a few months, depending on how clear the campaign team is on their objectives and messaging. The cost is primarily human resources and time, which could range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the experience and expertise of the strategic team.
2. Script Writing and Storyboarding: This is the process of writing the content of the ad and visualizing how it will unfold. A storyboard might not be necessary for a radio ad, but for a TV ad, it is crucial. It typically takes a few days to a week. The cost can range from $500 to a few thousand dollars depending on whether the scriptwriting is done in-house or outsourced to a professional copywriter.
3. Casting and Hiring Voice-over Talent: For a TV ad, the campaign team needs to decide who will appear on screen. It could be the candidate, supporters, or professional actors. For a radio ad, a voice-over artist is required. Depending on the availability and popularity of the talent, this could take a few days to a week. The cost can range from a few hundred dollars for unknown talents to tens of thousands for well-known figures or celebrities.
4. Production: The actual shooting or recording of the ad. For TV ads, this includes setting up locations, props, lighting, shooting, and directing. For radio ads, it involves recording in a sound studio. The time frame could be from a few days to a week or more, depending on the complexity of the ad. The cost can vary widely based on factors such as location, equipment, and crew, but it could range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of dollars.
5. Post-Production: This includes editing the footage or audio, adding music or special effects, and finalizing the ad. This process can take anywhere from a week to a couple of weeks. The cost usually ranges from a few thousand to several thousand dollars, depending on the level of complexity.
6. Media Buying: Once the ad is finalized, it needs to be broadcasted. The cost of airtime can vary significantly depending on the time slot, the popularity of the station, and the geographical area covered. Prime time slots in major markets are the most expensive. The process of buying media could take a few days. The cost could range from a few thousand to several million dollars for high-profile campaigns targeting large audiences.
7. Evaluation and Adjustment: After the ad has aired, the campaign team evaluates its effectiveness, often through polls or focus groups. Adjustments may be made, and the ad may be tweaked or replaced entirely based on feedback. This step is ongoing throughout the campaign.

This sample ad was created in 5 minutes.

The total process, from establishing the campaign message to airing the ad, could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. The total cost can range from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending largely on the scope of the campaign, the production values, and the cost of airtime.

Moreover, the voice actor landscape is no longer limited to unionized talent. Many non-union professionals offer a wide range of voices and styles, often at more competitive rates. Whether you're looking for an uplifting voice for a positive ad, a stern tone for an attack ad, or a relatable spokesperson for testimonials, there is a wealth of talent available.

Political ad maker and voiceovers with AI

The rise of AI technology is another game-changer in the realm of political voice overs. Artificial Intelligence can generate a commercial voice that is instantly available and can deliver the message in multiple languages, making it a boon for bilingual advertising. This technology can save time and resources in the political campaign, though it doesn't entirely replace the need for human voice over talent.

AI voiceovers can save time and money in the production of political ads in several ways:

1. Quick Production Time: AI voiceover software can generate speech instantly, allowing for quick iterations and changes. This means less time is spent waiting for human voice actors to record and revise their parts, which can significantly reduce the overall production timeline.
2. Cost-Effective: Using AI voiceover technology can be more cost-effective than hiring professional voice actors, especially for long or multiple scripts. While there may be initial costs for the software, the overall expense can be significantly less than paying for a human voiceover artist's time, especially for campaigns that require many different ads or frequent updates to their content.
3. Flexibility: With AI, you have the ability to adjust the tone, speed, and accent of the voiceover, allowing for a high degree of customization to fit the mood and message of the ad. This can be done without additional costs, whereas with human actors, changes might require additional recording sessions.
4. Availability: AI voiceover technology is available 24/7. This can be crucial during a political campaign, where time is of the essence and changes may need to be made quickly, regardless of the hour.
5. Consistency: AI can provide a consistent voice across different ads, maintaining the same tone and quality each time. This can be particularly useful for creating a uniform campaign identity.
6. Multilingual Capability: AI voiceover technology can often speak in multiple languages or accents, which can be useful for targeting different demographic groups without needing to hire multiple voice actors.

Regardless of the tools and talents used, the key to effective political advertising lies in understanding your target audience and crafting a message that resonates with them. For instance, the voice of an educator might be used in a political ad aimed at highlighting education policies, while an authoritative voice might be preferred for discussing national security issues.

Time to cast your vote

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AI wins in speed to getting your message out

When you compare the pros and cons of the traditional vs AI approach, it is clear that AI has a lot. Sure, there are plenty of cases where one should choose the traditional method but with the AI approach, you can get an ad spun up in minutes. Reacting to a debate? You can have your ad ready to ship to any service within minutes. The only thing faster is live tweeting.

In conclusion, the world of political advertising is becoming more diverse and dynamic, thanks to advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of varying audience needs. From traditional ISDN setups to AI-driven voiceovers, eLearning resources to video game style ads, the potential for engaging and effective political ads is ever-expanding.

No matter whether you're running for a local office in New Jersey or leading a national campaign in New York, selecting the right voice over talent is a critical decision in your political campaign strategy. Understanding your target demographics, being clear about your message, and choosing a voice that resonates with your audience can significantly increase the impact and effectiveness of your political ads.