Jib Jab and the Humor Quotient

Humor has always been a good way to get a message across. It allows you to simplify your message and reach people who might not listen if all you want to do is send facts and figures their way.

Gregg and Evan Spiridellis, the owners and creators of JibJab.com, have been especially good at finding humor in politics. Their animated cartoon, "This Land," which lampooned both Bush and Kerry, was one of the hits of the 2004 campaign season.

Now they have released their latest take on the political scene, "2-0-5," which is a two minute spoof on the travails of President Bush during 2005. It is well worth the ad and two minutes of your time.

Despite their success, the Spiridellis brothers are still in search of revenue, selling "preroll video" ads (short ads for Ford cars, for example) that play before each online viewing of its animated productions. They took eight weeks to do "This Land," and refuse to compromise on the quality or integrity of their messages, so they are both still living in rental apartments.

How will these humorous messages affect Campaign 2006? Given the deep passion on all sides of the issues these days, and the deadly serious way many of us approach the current political scene, humor will probably serve as a leavening and galvanizing tool for campaign strategists who know how to utilize it effectively.

Until then, happy holidays, everyone!