More on Labour Branding
The now infamous Curran death stare [Clare herself says the correct term is the Clare Glare 
], directed at Gerry Brownlee during his general debate speech on Labour’s branding document.
The best story on the branding comes from Fran Mold on One News.
As they ask whether Labour’s brand is more futuristic, they stick up footage of George Hawkins, Trevor Mallard, Parekura Horomia and Pete Hodgson.
Then best of all, when asking whether the brand should be more reliable and honest, they show footage of Taito Philip Field being asked to plead in court. A nice reminder that Labour have never ever apologised for his corruption, let alone their defence of his corruption.
And they also show the Hodgson and Mallard dance moves, when asking if they should go for more funky.
Finally as a backdrop to them being more cool, they show the Caucus singing along on a bus. Wonderful.
A very very funny piece.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:04 am
As good as Brownlee’s speech was – his perfect tag-team Partner was Simon Power with his focus on a “sober” Labour party. No wonder the femi-wing were so hostile as noted over at No Minister.
I have always thought that Parliament is the best show in town – and Yesterday’s General debate would rate up there with hte best of the year.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:07 am
Check it out at the link below – there is a link to Fran Mold’s piece there too.
http://nominister.blogspot.com/2010/04/funky-labour.html
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:11 am
Much as I dislike them,TVNZ news had an amusing piece on it last night.Dallows’grimace when it cut back to the studio left me wondering what he wanted to “editorialise”,but in the event no pearls were forthcoming.
Agreed Big Brownlee puts on a good show.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:17 am
Wasn’t Clare Curran the Labour Party activist who was employed by Ministry of the Environment to work on promotion of the Labour Party? If so, why aren’t she and David Parker in jail rather than worrying whether they can get away with promoting themselves as “honest”?
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
If you really want to enjoy yourself for a few minutes then pop over to the standard and have a read about how the pinko’s are going into melt down about the media’s coverage of this story.
It seems they think the job of the MSM is to be cheer leaders for the left and attack John Key at every opportunity while conveniently overlooking the fuck ups and mistakes of Labour.
Oh…..hang on….
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:28 am
Oh, so now they AREN’T “radio Pravda” or whatever? Just checking…
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:31 am
LOL at the video though. Very good.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
A quick look at BSA standards – in terms of the accuracy of news coverage: inaccuracies may include misleading impressions, significant exaggeration, incorrect summaries, misleading graphics, and the use of footage out of context. I’d say this piece of “journalism” pretty much covers all those bases. As for balance? None to see here. I wasn’t aware TVNZ news was now doing satire. Can’t wait for more!
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:36 am
Yeah all very hysterical, but if National are going to worry about anyones image they might want to start with a mirror.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:37 am
Can any image TV1 running this while Comrade Clark had her iron grip on the helm? I sure can’t. She would have gone apocalyptic, cancelled interview ‘privileges’, demonized Fran Mold etc.
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 am
And singing some tired old ditty “Take me home country roads” even baby boomers find that old hat. And now the Clare Curran death stare aided by “Gonnerill” – Darien Fenton.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
If only Labour had a real communications professional around to handle activities and research like this. You know, someone like Erin Leigh.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Oh, so now they AREN’T “radio Pravda” or whatever? Just checking…
Funny, I can’t recall ever seeing the commenters above your entry call TVNZ “radio Pravda”…
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
A quick look at BSA standards – in terms of the accuracy of news coverage: inaccuracies may include misleading impressions, significant exaggeration, incorrect summaries, misleading graphics, and the use of footage out of context. I’d say this piece of “journalism” pretty much covers all those bases. As for balance? None to see here. I wasn’t aware TVNZ news was now doing satire. Can’t wait for more!
Thats it buddy, have a little cry – it will all be better tomorrow those nasty mean TVNZ people shouldnt make fun of your beloved political party no should they!
Please tell us though, what on earth would you expect to be included in the item for ‘balance’?
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I thought that Hodgson and Mallard dance moves were superb. I say that because I am a pretty good pop/funk/break dancer myself and I was impressed (not their politics) when I saw the 2 Labour MPs danced when it was shown on TV evening news.
Perhaps Pete & Trev would want to learn some funk moves on sliding dance, then they should watch the following youtube vids from a 1980s Tongan teen-pop group, The Jets performing a US top of the chart hit song Crush. The members of the group are old now, but the elements of funk moves are still with them.
- Crush (Live Performance on AB TV – 1980s)
- Crush (Live performance for their 25th Anniversary concert 2 weeks ago)
It was a superb concert. In fact I can teach Trev & Pete the sliding dance techniques if they wish to.
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:57 pm
krazykiwi: “Can any image TV1 running this while Comrade Clark had her iron grip on the helm? I sure can’t. She would have gone apocalyptic, cancelled interview ‘privileges’, demonized Fran Mold etc.”
Labour can’t afford to react like that anymore. They’re struggling with relevancy as it is, so lessening their ability to put their spin on issues would be a horrible way to react. Furthermore, there are few politicians who could get away with that Clarkian approach to media, and when in a relatively unpopular opposition, I doubt Helen could have got away with it either – in this climate. You might have noticed with her move to the UN that she’s had to warm up her media image somewhat. Responding by rescinding media priveleges in this climate would probably see Labour dip further behind in the polls and cause the party’s leadership to self-destruct. It would almost be an admission they can’t win the next election, as it would probably lead to a fairly bloody coup and some significant rebuilding. Rebuilding, etc, is needed for Labour, but if they want to succeed in the short-to-medium term, the phasing out of a lot of the old guard, while retaining some experience, and rebuilding needs to be as bloodless as possible.
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Bevan – who’s crying? All I’m lamenting is that TVNZ considers this obviously satirical piece to be ‘news’.
“what on earth could be included for balance?” Seriously? The answer to me seems pretty obvious.
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
How many years has it been since TVNZ did something which could be interpreted as it not being full of Labour lackies?
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Clare is clearly angry in that video – compressed lips, furrowed brow etc – if I have learned anything from watching Lie To Me
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Labour branding?
I thought Benson-Pope was gone? and surely ear tags would be more humane.
On a side note, the “Clare Stare” is more Fawlty Towers Manuel than intimidating.
Que?
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/10/29/manuel2.jpg
Slightly less facial hair than your average female labour MP though.
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Back when Labour were in power the media took similar liberties. National was in disarray, and Labour were strong so it was easy to bash National.
I don’t like seeing the same thing repeated now. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now.
The media should be holding the government to account, not the opposition.
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
SHG:
Touche!! Indeed, anyone at all who had the slightest idea that you don’t start with what amounts to a blank page if you want to come up with anything meaningful. Unless you’re perhaps trying to find a new flavour of custard that’d appeal to the feeble minded. Oh wait…
And yes, is this “stare” supposed to be intimidating, or to break the speaker’s concentration so he can’t continue due to paroxysms of laughter? Or perhaps we’re being unkind and she was merely passing a stone.
Either way, if they want a death stare that converys real malice then they will need to bring back Helen.
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Monty said
Quite so Monty. Keeping Stock has the video of Power’s speech in which, having dwelt on the significance of sobriety, he dismissed Goff, Cunliffe and Jones in quick succession. It was an excellent effort from FIGJAM Power
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Given that we’re in 2010 already, a day and age in which you can virtually shoot HD quality vids from your cellphone, are there really any valid excuses for a Youtube vid being of such poor quality?
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:06 pm
That top picture looks like a couple of extras from a sequel to The Lord of The Rings.
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Ew, that one next to her is a roughie….
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:48 pm
“The Look” can drop a metrosexual at 20 paces.