At Websticker we’re always on the look out for actual data on the power of marketing with stickers. Solid research and studies are hard to find. One can assume hundreds and thousands of impressions are made from large vinyl graphics on the sides of vehicles, political bumper stickers on the backs of cars, and even small die cut stickers on helmets, laptops, notebooks, etc. Depending on where the sticker is applied, the size and design of the sticker, and the travel routes and visibility of the sticker, there are just too many variables to get any accurate data on visibility and influence.
So, a short video interview on stickers caught my eye of Kevin Ambler, state representative from Florida, who visited The ASI Show in Orlando. In the video Kevin mentions, as an elected official, custom bumper stickers are his favorite promotional product. He further states;
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“The bumper sticker – based on the research that we have shows that if you put [a sticker] on the car of one of your constituents, it is worth between three and six votes.”
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That’s incredible! I’m not sure what “research” he based that statement on, but there it is. And, full disclosure, this is now a rather dated video, but I would suggest that the sentiment still holds true. If accurate, even if you incentivized people to put your political bumper sticker on their car it would be more economical than any other advertising medium. That’s a great deal of promotional power in something that is one of the lowest priced promotional products.
The key, of course, is getting a high percentage of your political bumper stickers applied to vehiclesso they can then be out making impressions (and earning “votes”). To optimize that promotional power you need the optimum size, optimum product, and optimum design at the best price. That’s where Websticker excels. We are all about design, service, and optimization. When You Want Your Name to Stick…. Contact Websticker.
Jeff Nicholson is the founder and Creative Director at 
3 Responses
If Bumper stickers are worth votes, what is the best placement of a sticker on a vehicle to optimize visibility? I talk about this in this newer Blog Post: http://customstickers.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
I agree that bumper stickers are a very important component to a campaign, as are yard signs. I question the amount of people that vote based on the prevalence of a candidate's name on cars in their community. Hopefully people make their decision based on the issues at stake and not who has the prettiest bumper sticker or because their neighbors all support the same person. Regardless, these mediums must be maximized to get the candidate's name in front of as many people as possible, so that those people can investigate further and figure out who has what it takes to earn their vote.
I've definitely been alerted to a political campaign via bumper sticker. I think having a clearly visible name and website on the sticker is the best way to get attention.