As reported last week, the Republican party is trotting out William Weld as a potential challenger to Eliot Spitzer in New York's 2006 gubernatorial election. Weld is the former governor of Massachusetts, but has little or no name (or face) recognition in the Empire State. Sure, he's buddies with Rudy Giuliani and other members of the Republican administration, but in New York, at least, he's terra incognito for many voters. What marketing campaign will Republican strategists dream up to promote William Weld for 2006? Word on the street is that Weld plans to raise between $40 million and $75 million for the gubernatorial bid, and that will buy a lot of airtime.

Maybe Mr. Weld should consider a a Snoop Dogg promotion, similar to the one that the famed rapper has with Chrysler's Lee ("Mocha Cocca") Iacocca:

"The 80-year-old Iacocca and Snoop Dogg, who made his name rapping about sex and marijuana, appear as golf buddies in the ad, scheduled to begin airing Saturday. Snoop Dogg wears an argyle sweater vest, while Iacocca dons a pastel plaid hat. At the end of the TV spot, Snoop Dogg says: "If the ride is more fly, then you must buy." Iacocca responds: "That's what I hear."

Ad Rants explains why the pairing of Iacocca and Snoop Dogg is so successful:

"With the usual old guy/young rapper dude culture clash, the post hopes to appeal to those under 40, many of whom have no idea who Iacocca is."