Phil claims he made it? I say don't buy everything you read.
Those who have been around the Ohio 'sphere for a while know Mr. De Vellis well. We've questioned Phil's integrity before (and maybe fairly, some of us had ours questioned as well). Because of those questions, some of us are are skeptical of the honesty in his claim that he's solely responsible for "Big Sister",the most viral internet ad of recent memory. Due to this ad's importance and impact, I think it's fair to ask for the full story behind it and those responsible for its creation.
This morning I wrote a rather inflammatory piece on why I'm a doubter. To summarize it, during the 2005 Ohio Senate Primary Campaign Phil carried a bag full of "dirty tricks" throughout Ohio, allegedly astoturfing Ohio blogs, threatening bloggers, coordinating with conservative bloggers, and contacting private poster's employers. How's that relate to the Big Sister ad? I think it establishes a basis that the guy's willing to do what it takes to get ahead, even if it's a little questionable. These statements aren't based off of feelings regarding the primary battle in Ohio, but rather just what I saw from a lone staffer observing all campaigns during that cycle.
That said, from what we saw in Ohio of Phil's online work during the Senate race, I'm doubtful that he possesses the creativity to make an ad of this caliber. Anthony of BlueOhioan points out that the video could be created in an afternoon, but that it would take someone of immense skill, and it's more likely the ad was a collaboration. I know Phil was video editor so it's definitely possible I'm entirely in left field on this one, but still, I doubt. "Big Sister" is genius, majestic, a piece some will remember following the 2008 race. From the Phil's work that I've seen previously, I doubt whether he could have pulled it off entirely on his own.
Well, it appears I'm not alone. Another Ohio Blogger (and former Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist) Bill Sloat dug up this ad by Kos blogger CTbob.
The similarities to "Big Sister are amazing, and as Bob asks, "I wonder where they got the idea?"
CTBob worked with the Lamont campaign last summer and the online ad that is practically identical (save for a lil' better quality than the current rendition - Sorry Bob) to "Big Sister". Blue State Digital - Phil's former employer - happened to be responsible for Lamont's online setup (manned of course by the affable Tim Tagaris). Blue State Digital had to have seen a lot of the stuff being produced in CT, so they're bound to have seen CTBob's first ad on this theme. But here's the kicker - Phil didn't even work for BSD at that point yet.
Eric Vessels of Plunderbund pulls it together for us:
Blue State Digital is a killer company. You don’t make Fast Company’s Fast 50 by not being. They also happen to be the technology provider for Progress Ohio. I’ve met most of them and they are damned smart people. The connection is simple. Joe Rospars is a founder and worked there until he took a job with the Obama camp (BSD did the Obama web site). Phil went to work with Blue State Digital just after I saw him at Rootscamp in DC. That might be enough to go "hmmm", but when you consider the above Lamont video was done in July of ‘06 that takes Phil out of the picture for that one. So he either stole the idea or he improved upon it. I’m betting on the latter.
So, if Phil De Vellis made this ad, did he have help? The circumstantial evidence is mounting there might be a little more to this story than we know. I think it's fair to follow up.
Well, Jerome of MyDD likes Phil. He's got a different perspective on Mr. De Vellis than I do, and I respect that. But from my side of the ball the guy's suspect and this whole scenario is fishy.
And to paraphrase Eric at Plunderbund again...it's important to find out who all is involved with this amazing piece of work to make sure there's no more overlap with campaigns or consultants. The Primary and the General are gonna be bruising (hopefully moreso for the GOPers), we need to tighten our ship up.
...And before I get flamed and called out - I recognize I'm taking a controversial stand. There's a good shot I'm wrong on all of this, I've been wrong before.