Culturejamming for Measure 49

Somebody in the pro-Measure 49 campaign should seize the culturejamming opportunity presented by the anti-49 land developers and their big lie “a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” campaign.

If there was ever a wolf in sheep’s clothing is was Measure 37, which Measure 49 seeks to amend. You recall that Measure 37 presented itself as coming to the aid of little old, land-heavy ladies, when in fact it turned out to be a bonanza for timber companies and land developers.

So what’s this about culturejamming? Our friends at Ad Busters in Vancouver, BC, came up with the term a few years back. Culturejammers co-opt corporate ad campaigns costing millions to develop by turning them on their heads. The best example is what the anti-smoking people did to Joe Camel, turning him into a gaunt, cancer-plagued Joe Chemo.

The “Wolf in Sheep’s clothing" campaign, which is clever and “sticky” in its perverted way, is similarly vulnerable.

Right now the bland pro-49 campaign, painted in blues and greens, is out matched.

It needs an edge.

How about culture jamming the wolf/sheep theme with “Don’t let them pull the wool over your eyes. Save Oregon. Vote for 49!”?

In the meantime, if you want to put up a pro-49 lawn sign, as lame as it is, you can find the nearest distribution point here.