My memories of political conventions start with the 1956 Democratic convention. I was aware of the 1952 presidential election campaign and even wore pins and distributed flyers and posters. The posters weighted a ton – I remember that too. But only have vague recollections of the 1952 conventions.
At the 1956 convention Adlai Stevenson was nominated again, more like a sacrificial lamb since it didn’t look like anyone could defeat Ike, and instead of choosing his vice-presidential running mate, he let the convention select it. I know that was a big deal because my father said so, and John F. Kennedy made a big push (I found out about him because my father said some bad things about his father) but the “well-known” Senator Estes Kefauver was nominated (because of his hearings on television).
In 1960 I was now a pro at conventions and watched most of both conventions. I had a rolling commentary from my father about some of the candidates and some of my mother’s “now Arthur!” when he got too agitated about some of them.
One clear memory I have has nothing to do about politics or the handling at the convention. It was about the presentation preceding JFK’s introduction to his acceptance speech. It was a film about Kennedy’s life and achievements narrated by Chester Bowes. It was a terrific and impressive presentation, and I had never seen anything like it. I expressed my feelings about this to my father and he replied, “Benton and Bowes.”
Prior to entering public service and becoming a senator, Chester Bowes was a founder of one of the top advertising agencies at that time. The experiences he had and were successful within the advertising business were used by him to present his “product”—the next President of the United States.
My takeaway was that impressions count, are lasting, can sway opinions and can change minds. From that point on I became interested in advertising, marketing and promotional techniques. It is not enough to be good. You have to let people know and be able to guide actions in a painless, subtle and results-oriented way, and it doesn’t hurt to be interesting.
I am always concerned with how my ideas and suggestions will be received and that they will result in causing action. An expression of what I do can be summed up with this expression of mine: “Nothing speaks with greater assurance than a proper presentation of facts.”
Tonight Joe Biden will make his acceptance speech and next week, Donald Trump will make his. The presidential campaign will then officially start. The substance of these men will need to be examined, but the presentations will also guide us and perhaps lead us toward directions we may or may not want to go. Pay attention and enjoy many of the polished and exciting presentations, but keep your mind on the issues and on what the candidates and their surrogates are really are telling you.
If you have any business or financial issues you want to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Read More of the Partners’ Network Blog
