A giant, electronic balloon on a backpack is political campaign hit in 2022
A giant, electronic balloon on a backpack is political campaign hit in 2022
2022-11-18
A big hit of this year’s local elections is the "election balloon!" You might have seen one on the back of your local political hopeful as they canvass votes. It’s a giant, electronic balloon on a backpack. And it’s the No. 1 promo tool of choice for many candidates. In districts where they’re used, spotting the balloon is a highlight of the evening for locals.
Locals head to the street to catch the garbage truck. Chang Wei-chien spots her chance to distribute leaflets and free gifts to potential voters. A gigantic balloon on her backpack is her big publicity tool – and it’s become a popular spectacle.
When dusk falls, the balloon lights up, with the candidate’s name and picture still easy to spot from far off.
Chang Wei-chien
New Taipei councilor candidate (DPP)
As soon as I put it on, it becomes the center of attention. Plus it’s shaped like a backpack, so I have my hands free to greet voters. I always use it when I’m going round the garbage truck and I’m handing out publicity materials. At night, it glows. It’s the best, best promotional tool.
Another New Taipei council candidate, Hsu Chao-hsing, has a balloon on her back too, as she goes around the streets talking to voters. Balloons are a real trend at the 2022 election.
Lin Yen-feng
Taipei City council candidate (DPP)
It makes me look like a firefly! It catches your eye even in the dark.
Taipei City candidate Lin Yen-feng demonstrates how her balloon works. First she opens up the frame and fits the balloon to the pipe, connecting it to a battery. Then she can fill it with air and turn on the light. The whole contraption weighs just 4.5 kilograms. It’s a very eye-catching and effective publicity stunt for political candidates. The manufacturer says orders grew a lot this year.
Hsia Chi-hsiu
Balloon maker
I made them by hand at first. Then a friend gave me a suggestion and said “Hey, can’t you do it like a suitcase, with an extendable handle?” So I improved it and that meant I could mass-produce it. I think I’ve made twice as many this year, compared to the last election.
The elections are mere weeks away now, and candidates are spending as much time as possible getting the word out. A balloon could be the difference between victory and loss.
宣傳大氣球! 印有照片名字.夜間還會發光
2022-11-18
年底選戰要到了，宣傳小物商機無窮，今年有不少候選人，和氣球業者合作，訂購"選舉宣傳大氣球"，上面印有候選人照片、名字，大老遠都可以看得到，而且到了晚上還會發光，吸引不少選民目光，成了最好的宣傳工具，氣球業者也說，今年訂購量比起上次選舉，多了將近一倍。
趁垃圾車來、居民出沒，新北市議員候選人張維倩發文宣小物，後頭還背上好大一顆氣球，這成了超夯宣傳工具，到了晚上，更是矚目焦點。
天色昏暗不打緊，氣球還會發光，候選人的圖像、名字，大老遠看，都還是一清二楚。
[[新北市議員候選人(民) 張維倩]]
“只要背起了它，馬上就是現場矚目的焦點，加上因為它是背包造型，所以我們雙手可以空出來跟選民請託，我都會用它在跑垃圾車的時候，把我的雙手空出來發文宣品。夜晚的時候它也會發光，是一個最棒最棒的宣傳工具。”
另一位新北市議員候選人許昭興，也同樣背著氣球，在大街小巷拜票，今年"選舉氣球"，是不少候選人的宣傳首選。
[[台北市議員候選人(民) 林延鳳]]
“就很像螢火蟲這樣子，暗暗的地方都可以很明顯。”
台北市議員候選人林延鳳示範如何背氣球，首先將支架拉起，套入球皮到管套頂部，連接電源，就可以充氣和開燈，全套裝備4.5公斤，對候選人來說，非常醒目、宣傳效果好，業者今年訂購量大增。
[[氣球業者夏啟修]]
一開始是手工做，後來我有個朋友給我建議，說為何不能跟行李箱一樣做拉桿式的設計，後來我們改良了，變成可以大量生產。量大概可能有(比上次選舉)增加快一倍有。
選戰逼近，各候選人加緊腳步拚選戰，氣球也成了最佳夥伴。
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