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Campaign Finance
by Miriam Datskovsky, Willow Duttge, and Jeff VanDam
March 2008 Issue
March 2008 Issue
The presidential front-runners are projected to shell out hundreds of millions this year. Here's how the spending on five recent ad campaigns compares with the costs of politics.
The Republicans and Democrats will blow a billion dollars on getting a candidate elected this year. That's a serious bargain. Read More
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The Company offers telecommunications services in U.S. and the world. View More
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The Company franchises and operates fast food hamburger restaurants. View More
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The Company designs, manufactures and markets personal computers, portable digital music players and mobile communication … View More
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The Company operates retail stores in various formats, which include: Discount Stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets. View More
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The Company is an innovative, low cost passenger airlines, which provides customer service on point-to-point routes & offers … View More
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The Company develops, markets, publishes and distributes video game software and content played by consumers, including video … View More
Apple iPhone$16.6 million
(Released June 29, 2007; spending through September 2007)
Consumers camping out for days before the overhyped launch brought endless (and priceless) free media coverage.
Equivalent to: The 2004 U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin between Russ Feingold and Tim Michels ($16.8 million).
The Simpsons Movie
$32.5 million
(Released July 27, 2007; spending through September 2007)
Massive cross-marketing partnerships with
Burger King, JetBlue, 7-Eleven, and Electronic Arts gave a boost to Springfield's first family. Equivalent to: Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration ($32 million).
Wendy’s$315.2 million
(Spending from October 2006 to September 2007)
Absurdist TV spots with the red-pigtailed wig broke during American Idol's season finale in May. Wendy's offered the wigs at Halloween.
Equivalent to: Democratic senator John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign ($310 million).
Wal-Mart$458.6 million
(Spending from October 2006 to September 2007)
After a tumultuous ad review, Wal-Mart hired the Martin Agency (of Geico fame) and introduced its "Save money. Live better" campaign in September.
Equivalent to: Two of the 1996 Clinton-versus-Dole presidential campaigns ($232 million).
AT&T$2.25 billion
(Spending from October 2006 to September 2007)
Before AT&T acquired BellSouth and Cingular in 2006, its ad budget increased by 50 percent. Much of last year's budget was spent on phasing out Cingular.
Equivalent to: 288 of Ralph Nader's year-2000 presidential bids ($7.8 million).
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