AI Faces the Electorate in a Multi-Front Midterm Clash

Good morning. AI swirled throughout the political campaigns leading up to today’s midterm elections, just as it’s permeating almost everything else:

Those votes on data centers will be telling, but the election results won’t provide many other clear verdicts on AI. We won’t be able to say that a candidate won or lost because of an AI ad or policy. Still, it will be worth watching the returns for directional insights about the messages—and tools—that resonated with the public.

Keep an eye on the latest updates at the Journal’s live election blog.

Ad spending by Republican Mike Rogers and his allies in Michigan’s Senate Race on just the last day before the election, according to AdImpact data. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and his allies spent almost $2.8 million.

The hard sell isn’t always the most effective.

For years, the British government has tried without much luck to get its citizens to prepare for potential disasters, but a plea from Britain’s defense secretary to stockpile supplies has finally broken through, James Hookway reports for The Wall Street Journal.

Perhaps Wes Streeting captured imaginations with his warning about the range of threats facing the country, from Russian sabotage attempts to extreme weather.

Or maybe it was the unusual signal boost he got from a fellow government official as she ticked off her personal prepper wish list on a radio show.

“Let’s see, mascara, concealer, a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, a tin of baked beans, because you’ve got to have some baked beans, and I like a good tin of custard as well,” said Angela Rayner, the housing minister. “I think that will keep me going for a while.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham tried to take the subject a little more seriously but admitted that a couple of stiff drinks and a stash of Twiglets—a pretzel-like pub snack—might help get through dark days.

The blend of Streeting’s seriousness and Rayner’s irreverence is helping catch people’s attention, with Burnham acting as a middle ground, according to PR expert Mark Borkowski.

The British government wouldn’t say whether the communications mix was planned, noting only that its “Be Ready” preparedness push is designed to accommodate varying household needs.

This Nov. 17 and 18, CMOs will gather in New York for the WSJ Leadership Institute’s CMO Council Summit, featuring marketing leaders such as FUBU founder Daymond John, Visa’s Frank Cooper III, Mars Inc.’s Gülen Bengi, IBM’s Jonathan Adashek, United Airlines’ Josh Earnest, PepsiCo’s Mark Kirkham, e.l.f. Beauty’s Oshiya Savur, and the National Women’s Soccer League’s Rachel Epstein.

Together, they’ll explore the power of participation in cultural events, social platforms, professional communities and anywhere that passionate consumers gather.

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U.K. retailer John Lewis cast Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandmother hunting for presents in its 20th annual holiday ad, which carries the tagline “don’t give up on giving.” [Guardian]

The Apple growth and profit machine is wavering, and the boost from price increases might not be enough to keep it going at historic rates. [WSJ]

OpenAI tapped ad-tech firms Magnite and PubMatic to help sell remnant ad inventory on ChatGPT. [The Information]

Fenty Beauty teamed up with device accessory brand Casetify on a phone case that also holds lip gloss and blotting powder. [Hypebae]

Yum! Brands reported higher third-quarter revenue, even as Taco Bell same-store sales dropped following a parasitic outbreak over the summer that was linked to lettuce served at its restaurants. [WSJ]

Popeyes is scaling back its popular wings to simplify operations as a return to same-store sales growth remains elusive. [Restaurant Business]

Top media buyers advise junior colleagues to stay curious, look beneath the surface of a buy and get extremely hands-on with the tools before learning AI shortcuts. [Ad Age]

Why kids aren’t embarrassed to go to concerts with their parents anymore. [WSJ]

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