Health Care Education Project 2006

EpandMedia collaborated with New York-based agency Knickerbocker/SKD to produce a TV and radio ad campaign to fight proposed large healthcare cuts in New York State Governor George Pataki's 2006 budget proposal. The ads, sponsored by the Health Care Education Project (HCEP), proved so effective that the Governor did restore the funds. EpandMedia also produced one Spanish language spot, "Ay!"

Len Epand directed New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a 90-second parody political TV ad, “King Michael,” which played as part of a larger skit the Mayor put on with the cast of the Broadway hit musical “Spamalot” (including star David Hyde Pierce) for the 2006 Inner Circle of City Hall Journalists dinner. Taking place in medieval times, the ad’s content sends up the TV ads EpandMedia made with agency Squier Knapp Dunn for Bloomberg’s 2005 re-election. Written by Douglas Bernstein and coordinated by Allison Jaffin, the spot was shot by DP Bob Rudis, edited by Tom Howley and executive produced by SKD’s Damon Miranda

Bloomberg For Mayor 2005 Re-Election Campaign

EpandMedia collaborated with DC-based ad agency Squier Knapp Dunn (SKD) to produce 2005 re-election campaign ads for New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The ad campaign centered on testimonials from New Yorkers from the outer boroughs to establish the Mayor's accomplishments and the sense that he was about the entire city, not just Manhattan. Bloomberg defeated challenger Fernando Ferrer by a record 58.5% to 38.7% of the vote.

EpandMedia produced TV and radio ads for the Health Education Project, funded by the Service Employees Union International (SEIU), to let New Yorkers know that the likely result of severe Medicaid budget cuts being considered in New York State would be a dangerous reduction in health care services. Hospitals and Nursing homes across the state were already closing as a result of budget cutbacks.

This :30-second TV ad, playing in several battleground states in September, features news clippings to highlight the administration’s miscalculations and leadership failings with respect to Iraq and the war on terror. Directed by Len Epand, the clippings float through the sky at a windswept sandy beach with an American flag at half-staff and a young man and woman who reveal a sign--"Not"—which is then framed by "Mission" and "Accomplished." It was commissioned by the Democratic National Committee.

Len Epand directed four :15 second issue ads that highlight major ways in which the current administration has failed the American people. The spots all wind up with the sign “Not” coming between the words “Mission” and “Accomplished.” The campaign plays off the “Mission Accomplished” banner famously hung on the aircraft carrier on which George W. Bush spoke after the fall of Iraq last year.

The DNC placed the spots onto broadcast and cable outlets in time for the Republican Convention in New York.

EpandMedia produced a key 30-second TV ad for the Kerry-Edwards 2004 and the DNC Pennsylvania campaign. Directed by Len Epand and commissioned by Squier Knapp Dunn, the ad “Casey-Health Care” featured Pennsylvania’s Auditor General Bob Casey Jr, son of the late but very highly regarded Governor Bob Casey. The message focused on John Kerry and the Democrats’ plans to improve health care and cover more Americans with health insurance. The spot was credited with helping Kerry-Edwards win the state.

Given the intense partisanship of the 2004 presidential campaign it was refreshing for Len Epand to direct a pair of non-partisan “get-out-the-vote” :30-second spots for the State of Massachusetts. “Big Choices – Boston” and “Non-Boston” underscore the fact that the direction the country will take on many critical international and domestic issues will be determined by the choices the voter makes in November. The ads feature Secretary of State Bill Galvin and were Executive Produced and conceived by Squier Knapp Dunn’s Josh Isay.

In 2000 Len Epand relocated to Washington, D.C. to join the ad team at Squier Knapp Dunn headquarters. Epand’s TV and radio work was credited with helping Gore/Lieberman win the popular vote by 600,000 ballots. Epand’s “Ian Malone” TV spot tested so well that it became the first broadcast by the Gore/Lieberman campaign post-Democratic Convention. Stated ABC News: “(The) ad about the Malones became a correlative for (Gore’s) populism.”

Bloomberg won his 2001 New York City mayoral race despite being behind in the polls by 12-15 points for months. Squier Knapp Dunn Communication’s skillful focus group testing and message refinement, executed in collaboration with EpandMedia’s TV and radio productions, changed voters’ minds as to which candidate could steer the city through post 9-11 tough economic times.

Andrew Cuomo For Governor 2002

Until this former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton dropped out of the NY State race for Governor EpandMedia provided DC-based agencies Squier Knapp Dunn and Penczner-Burton Media with production and creative support. Additionally, Len Epand directed scenes for several TV ads and his photography was utilized in printed media as well.

The Democratic National Committee and the Gore for President campaign asked DC-based agency Squier Knapp Dunn to produce a series of short films highlighting special aspects of the Vice President. The project was referred to Len Epand who researched, wrote, and produced 19 pieces, directing many of them, including stories about Gore climbing Mt. Rainier with his son and cutting through red tape to get a World War II vet his long overdue Purple Heart, as well as testimonials from his Harvard roommate/actor Tommy Lee Jones, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, and others. It also included a piece about helping Seattle family the Malones secure promised but withheld coverage from their insurance company for their ill son Ian. The latter carried such resonance at the convention that Epand was asked to adapt it to a :30 second ad. The result became the first broadcast TV ad for the official Gore-Lieberman campaign. The New York Times cited it as especially effective. Stated ABC News: “(The) ad about the Malones became a correlative for (Gore’s) populism.”