City
Adam Giambrone Builds the Hype on YouTube
For someone who's not yet running for mayor, Adam Giambrone certainly has his campaign in high gear. In an attempt to pump up the hype surrounding his upcoming "Celebrate Toronto" party -- AKA the announcement of his official decision to run for mayor -- he's taken to YouTube with a mildly amusing series of spoofs. References range from David Miller to Taxi Driver in the approximately minute-long clip.
But will this approach endear him to younger voters, as is so clearly intended?
That's a tough call. While I find the video more embarrassing than funny, I've always admired those who can poke fun at themselves. There's a certain confidence in such humour.
And with Giambrone's recent announcement of initiatives designed to improve TTC customer service, he's definitely making an effort to hit the ground running. No one's about to accuse him of campaign-apathy.
But the problem is that it all seems so transparent.
What do you think? Is this an appropriate strategy for someone who aims to be our next mayor?
Discussion
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wow i don't care about a sense of humour.. he can't even act that well and yes Jane that was embarassing.. haahha
This guy can't even run the TTC.. i don't care how many push ups he can do, he def can't run the city.
I'm ready when you are A-Jam!
@Sweden
@whatthe
Samefag.
Was Miller being Ironic? Did I not get the joke? Am I getting old?
I WILL vote for Adam for sure.
Miller came in and almost destroyed the city and I am positive that if Adam wins he can finish the job.
Maybe every weekend in the summer they can close all the highways for some ridiculous run.
This group of misfits must be stopped.
leadership/management role in the NDP. That's got to
count for something.
It's not even February and everyone's getting all
heated up about the candidates. It's early days yet.
I like Adam Giambrone and I've heard him speak on TV
many times and realise he has much to bring to the table
when a discussion occurs. At least, he's not a
Giorgio or a Rob Ford.
He's obviously not been on the offensive with the TTC union, choosing (like the mayor) to stay out of the negotiations, so I don't see how he's cope with an unruly, uncivilized council that we all continue to elect.
You do know that showing he had a sense of humour was one of the top tactical objectives the spin doctors set for that video, right?
For probably just that reason, it will probably appeal to younger voters, and if he can mobilize them through social media in any meaningful way it will make a huge impact on the election. To me the video and I'm assuming a similar tone for part of the campaign will signal to younger voters that their way of interacting with the world has a place within City Hall, which is an immeasurably positive thing.
If he can balance this playfulness and clear love for the city with a solid political and fiscal vision which will appeal to those who scorn YouTube, Smitherman better watch his back.
if he wins the position, i am prepared - ironically enough- to jump the subway platform.
the only good thing i see about this is him having to give up his council seat.
also this is a young city and i think a young fresh approach is what we need.
lets see how many of you gum flapping idiots actually get out a vote
I'm voting for JABRONI!! Even though the Rock hated Jabroni's Imma still vote for him cause he does pushups and his name reminds me of reeeeeestlin!
Was it just me or was his mic panned hard left? Those types of things are annoying and will lose you some votes.
JABRONI!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism
Hopefully, he comes up with a strong platform that builds on Miller's strengths -- environment, waterfront etc... and not his weaknesses -- taxation, overspending etc.
BTW, I'm 32, I'm a property owner and I vote in every election.
For his acting, he gets a Tony
He should be trying to play with the big boys, not rallying up the people who never vote.
I also question the effectiveness of targeting of youth voters. Young people are notorious for not participating and this dude's not exactly Barack Obama (who has his own problems now). It seems like he may be wasting his time/money with that strategy.
Not to absolve Giambrone from blame, but the TTC was a mess to begin with-- anyone here feel like stepping up and fixing it?
Let's see how the campaigns shape up before we jump to any conclusions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8P89_aaVg
Politically, the guy's just out of diapers. He's too young in his career to be able to take on the deficit and deal with the unions. Miller barely got out alive from the garbage strike. And dealing with Toronto councillors is like handling a room full of preschoolers. They'd have his head on a platter in no time.
I predict a lot more of these "edgy" and "cool" videos coming out of the Giambrone mayoral campaign. I wonder what he'll do next - an Indiana Jones impression? Marlon Brando in The Godfather?
Regardless of how some of you feel, the YouTube is no more a "fail" than Mel Lastman's "Moose on the Street" promotion, "Toronto's Own" beer, or a half dozen other pitches. The fact that he's having some fun while doing this, makes him someone of interest. This guy is already second to George Smitherman in the polls, and he hadn't even announced he was running at the time.
I think he's someone to watch out for, regardless of his association with soon to be former Mayor David Miller.
Adam, please don't waste your time -- or ours -- by "running" for mayor. People hate the TTC. You are "head" of the TTC. In just a few years, you have raised fares three times, from 2.25 to three bucks! I can't tell you how many times I've complained about TTC drivers. The last time was yesterday, when a f---ing driver refused to accept a valid transfer!
Time to do gay porn under the name Giam Blow Me.
Hope he moves to San Francisco. They're more tolerant there.
I hope you're reading this. Your video WOULD be funny were TTC riders not so fed-up with the system, Toronto citizens taxed up the wazoo, and the city's jobless rate above 10 per cent. Were Toronto not facing these many challenges and obstacles, it is possible "I'm Ready" could be laughed off as a charming, youthful prank.
However, Toronto is a city crumbling under the weight of its own debt, inefficiency, and unions like Amalgamated Transit who seem to thumb their collective noses at citizens. Sorry to say, but there isn't a hell of a lot to laugh at lately, certainly not your video.
Very, very poor timing, Adam. If the city was thriving, you'd have a chance at becoming mayor of this once-fine metropolis. No after this immature video, not now, and not ever.
Your political career, my friend, is dead.
Have to add: can't believe the amount of astroturfing going on in these comments!
Pants on the ground
Can’t be the Mayor with your pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Can’t be the Mayor with your pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Can’t be the Mayor with your pants on the ground