With the Stakes So High, Democrats Eschew Political Ad Tropes in Favor of Hollywood-Style Spots

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Making political ads for Democrats has long been Mark Putnam’s business, and lately, business has been especially good.

With 2018 shaping up to be a record year for first-time candidates on the Democratic side, Putnam and his firm, Putnam Partners, have had their hands full, producing long-form videos intended to support what Democrats hope will be a blue wave this November.

Putnam Partners is the company behind “Told Me,” an ad introducing Kentucky congressional candidate Amy McGrath, a retired Marine running as a Democrat, that went viral upon its release in August 2017.

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This story first appeared in the October 1, 2018, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.