Air/Mail: Advantage Peter Brown?

While the two frontrunners in the Houston mayoral race appear to many to be Parker and Locke, I wouldn't discount Peter Brown. As far as I know, he's the first one to send out mail. I saw a mailer from him - large, 17x11, folded - that was quite good. It had the same look and feel as his website and commercials - very positive and focused on his experience and building a better Houston. He's got money, he's clearly got a good campaign team, but does he have dedicated supporters in enough mass to gain a place in the runoff?

His air game is on TV and radio where he does a great job emphasizing his strengths - he's experienced, trusted by community leaders, committed to diversity and bringing people together, and he has a plan for an even better Houston.

His first TV ad is one I call "On Point", but he calls "Next Steps":

His second ad he calls "Blueprint" and I call it "Blueprint", as well! If it's not clear by now that Peter Brown has a blueprint for an even better Houston, it's not for lack of trying to make it clear here: He's got two great radio ads, one with the Reverend Bill Lawson: And one with Bishop James Dixon, Pastor DZ Cofield and Reverend Bill Lawson:

The ministers, emphasis on diversity and trust - you can't beat that.

KTRK, Ch. 13, is running video from the campaigns on various issues. The first round was on the economy. Peter's video was panned by my friend Greg, but I liked it, probably because it focused on Kingwood. The oft-ignored Kingwood votes are worth fighting for and it's good to see a campaign acknowledge a far flung part of Houston. With Brown having good, professional ads on TV already, it strikes me as OK to have a homemade feel to his video on the economy.

I have no doubt we'll soon see mail and TV from the Locke and Parker campaigns, but if their polling looks good right now, the bulk of that might wait until a runoff, where it will game on for every vote. Peter Brown's goal is to beat expectations and find everyone but him surprised when he is in the December runoff.