Two things are currently fascinating me this media summer: Rupert’s single handed attempt to dismantle the US economy and business reporting universe buy purchasing WSJ, and the run to the White House.

On the first front, does anyone really think that even if our most highly respected paper (sorry, NYTs) does take a drastically Murdochian editorial tone and demeanor - and save for probable under reporting on China’s political enterprises (since he wants to expand his empire there), there’s no telling it will – are we really going to lose the only responsible organ for transparent reporting on capital markets? Well, the capital markets tell us…

No.

Someone enterprising and resourceful is going to fill the gaps that Murdoch will supposedly create, and if no one does, something will. A digital community, an artful blogger, an amalgam of the two. Ten years ago yes, there would be have been real concern about a reportage vacuum in the financial verts. Today? Whatever. The WSJ is in this mess because of strong competitive pressure , not a market still reliant on a single source for its financial coverage.

It’s likely Michael Bloomberg, even if he doesn’t run for the presidency, will save the day none the less.

Which brings me to my second curiosity and question: who do the presidential candidates turn to for their advertising, and how are they selected?

Is it a comment on the state of the ad community or the acumen of the office seekers that the biggest brand builders in the world - BBDO, DDB, Satchi, W+K (you know, for Nader), et al. – aren’t selected or even pitching the business for the highest office, i.e. the biggest brand, in the world.

I can’t imagine that telling a voting public how you’re decision making, baby kissing, pork loading, veto drafting, estate dinner attending skills differ from your opponents is much different from explaining how your paper towel’s spill picker-uppering is better than someone else’s. We put as much emotion and energy into selecting both.

These tiny Washington consultant groups (headed by ex-politocos like Bob Schrum, not ex-admen) are winning business that should be going to the masters of marginal narratives and integrated thinkocracy. Hillary is buds with GSD&Ms chief, but are they actually running her ad campaign?

Who’s doing the media placements, and what’s the gross up? This stuff fascinates me. Maybe the big agency holding cos don’t want the business, with all of the baggage it comes with (let alone the red face test you’d have to pass as a self respecting Creative Director building ads for a conservative).
If you know anything about this strange world I’d love to hear from you.