NDP, Greens turn to pop culture to woo voters online
The NDP likens leader Tom Mulcair to Dos Equis man, while Greens turn to N' Sync song
Deep into Canada's longest election campaign, the NDP and the Green Party are using pop culture references on social media to build an image for their leaders and attract support.
Two notable examples drew a lot of onlineresponse in recent days.
The NDP tweeted a photo on Friday that likened party leader Tom Mulcairto "The Most Interesting Man In The World," the older man in DosEquisbeer ads. The photo showsa well-dressedMulcaircocking his head sidewaysandposing with a bottle of Dos Equis, a nod to the original ad.
It wasposted to Twitter by George Smith,Mulcair'spress secretary, and wasretweetedon the leader'spersonal account and the main party account, giving Twitter users many chances to weigh in.
Pretty interesting guy. cc @StayBurly pic.twitter.com/bc9nrgIHEy
—@GeorgeNDP
Almost instantly, users posted their own takes on the ad'sinfamous tag line.
@GeorgeNDP @StayBurly I don't always have an NDP leader who might become Prime Minister, but when I do, it's @ThomasMulcair
—@JimStorrie
@GeorgeNDP @ThomasMulcair @StayBurly I don't always thirst for power, but when I do I'll promise anything to taste it.
—@POSS65
The Dos Equisad has spawned countlessmemes. One Twitter account has devoted itselftomeme-ing Mulcair's take on it.
He has never met Tommy Douglas but claims they are BFFs #MulcairXX #ndp #elxn42 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/w3lwzXhM96
—@MulcairDosEquis
Others used it to make swipesat hischoice of beverage.
Like it says on the bottle, Dos Equis comes fromMexico.In theMulcairphoto, it should be noted that the beer cap is still affixed to the bottle.
@GeorgeNDP @ThomasMulcair @StayBurly let's drink imported beers; good for our economy. #exln42
—@pompombionique
@GeorgeNDP @ThomasMulcair @StayBurly How about drinking some Canadian beer Tom? There's plenty of good ones....
—@jones2emit0
There were a few mentions of Old Stock, a nod to Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's somewhat confusing choice of words during Thursday night's economic debate.
@GeorgeNDP @anthonyfurey @StayBurly Hey he's drinking 'Old-Stock' ale !
—@TerryToll
The Mulcair-Dos Equisguycomparison isn't new.
The suggestion has been made online for several years. It was referred to in an analysis piece on Mulcair in the Ottawa Citizen.But it is one of the first times (if not the first time) thatMulcairhas drawn on thecomparison himselfand promoted it on social media.
Twitter users have beenlikeningthe twomen sinceas early as 2012.
Mulcair shld capitalize on beard culture & play on the Dos Equis "most interesting man in the world" ads. Win on 2nd ballot #ndpldr #cdnpoli
—@RobTrewartha
A Twitter account thatstarted in July exists solely to draw Mulcair-Dos Equis comparisons.
He can parallel park a TTC streetcar. Yes, one of the new ones. pic.twitter.com/NGrEMN9rlx
—@StayBurly
He once made a weeping willow chuckle.
—@StayBurly
The Green Party opted for Justin Timberlake and his formerboy band, 'N Sync.
In the lead up to leader Elizabeth May'svirtual Twitter videoappearance during Thursday night's debate, the Green Party'sFacebook and Twitter accounts promoted the event using photos of Timberlake and the 'N Sync crew with the tag lineIt's Gonna Be May.
Who will win the #GlobeDebate? #ItsGonnaBeMay pic.twitter.com/xNZMxBszzR
—@CanadianGreens
One of a few ways to get my attention. #ItsGonnaBeMay #GlobeDebate pic.twitter.com/7wJuiRloDs
—@iBeeej
And thatseemed to really confuse some people
It'sa reference to 'N Sync's song, It's Gonna Be Me. Since the song was released in 2000, many have misinterpreted the lyrics of the song to say "it's gonnabe may." The misinterpretation has been widely parodied in online memes, photos and GIFs and now as a promotional tool for the Green Party.
@CanadianGreens @younggreenscan whats with timberlake?
—@fbeb6744287b4ac
@CanadianGreens @younggreenscan Does ANYBODY respect copyright/image use anymore? #cdnpoli #elxn42
—@coriferguson
and others just really seemed to like it.
@CanadianGreens #GlobeDebate #ItsGonnaBeMay Took me a second to get that one. Well played.
—@Ryan_LR
@CanadianGreens @younggreenscan AHAHAHA Now the song is stuck in my head. "All that I do, I do it all for you"
—@Ce_Not_Dion