Political Advertising in the United States (2^nd Ed.)

Political Advertising in the United States examines the volume, distribution, content, and effects of political advertising in congressional and presidential elections. The book considers the role of television ads using extensive data on ad airings on local broadcast stations. It also analyzes newly available data on paid digital ads, including ads on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. The book covers the role of outside groups in airing ads, including the rise of dark money groups and gaps in existing federal campaign finance laws around transparency of outside group spending. The authors consider how ad sponsors design and target ads. They also review the positive and negative implications of an electoral system where billions are spent on paid advertising. With detailed analysis of presidential and congressional campaign ads and discussion questions in each chapter, this accessibly written book is a must-read for students, scholars, and practitioners who want to understand the ins and outs of political advertising.

New to the Second Edition

? Covers the spending, content, and tone of political advertising in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and the 2018 midterms, looking ahead to 2022 and 2024.

? Addresses the interference of foreign actors in elections and their connection to political advertising.

? Expands the discussion of digital political advertising and incorporates this topic into every chapter.

? Adds a new chapter specifically addressing digital ad content and spending.

? Includes data from the Facebook, Google, and Snapchat ad libraries and explores the role of these companies in regulating the sale of political advertising.

? Incorporates new data on the effects of race and gender in advertising, including what is known about the way in which advertising may activate prejudicial attitudes.

List of Illustrations

Preface

1 Introduction

Why Study Political Advertising?

Four Key Arguments

History of Campaign Advertising

Tracking Advertising

Plan of the Book

Discussion Questions

Notes

2 The Regulation of Advertising

The Rules of Campaign Financing

The Impact of the Rules

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

3 The Volume and Content of Political Advertising on Television

Volume of Television Advertising

Tone of Television Advertising

Issues in Television Advertising

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

4 The Challenge of Online Advertising

What is Digital Advertising?

Digital Ad Spending in 2020

What Digital Advertising Looks Like

Understanding the Online Ad Landscape

The Bad and Good of Online Advertising

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

5 How Ads Are Created and Tested

The Elements of a Political Ad

Making the Ad

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

6 Buying and Targeting Political Advertising on Television

Buying Decisions

Outlets for Political Advertising

Targeting Political Advertising

The Changing Media Landscape and Its Effect on Voters

Examining Ad Targeting Through Ad Airings and Media Consumption Data

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

7 Studying the Persuasive Effects of Advertising

The History of Media Influence Research and Current Challenges

What We Know About Advertising’s Ability to Persuade

How Do We Know What We Know? The Importance of Research Design

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

8 Beyond Persuasion: Mobilization and Other Effects of Advertising

Does Advertising Influence Our Political Participation?

What Do We Learn from Advertising?

Do We Accurately Perceive Advertising and Campaign Tone?

Does Advertising Affect Our Trust in the Political System?

Does Advertising Affect Our Health as a Society or Reflect a Just and Equal Society? The Darker Side of Campaign Appeals

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

9 The Future of Political Advertising and Its Role in Our Society

Technological Change

Changes in Regulation

Broader Impacts of Political Advertising

Conclusion

Discussion Questions

Notes

Glossary

Index

Erika Franklin Fowler is Professor of Government at Wesleyan University and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project.

Michael Franz is Professor of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project.

Travis N. Ridout is Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government and Public Policy and Director of the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at Washington State University and is co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project.