Political Tech as a Parody Tool: FP1's New Creative Head on AI that Entertains (and Saves Time)
FP1 Strategies just dropped a 30-second digital spot built almost entirely with AI - a gleaming game show called "Name That Nancy," where contestants guess whether a quote came from Rep. Nancy Mace or Rep. Nancy Pelosi. No set. No actors. No weeklong shoot. "We literally used AI to create it in a day," said FP1 partner and newly minted creative director Trent Wisecup.
The ad supports a super PAC backing South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson in the GOP gubernatorial primary. The point wasn't realism. It was style, speed, and a joke that lands.
AI, but make it parody
Wisecup's thesis is simple: use AI as a parody tool. Don't pass fake as real. Be transparent, lean into humor, and set audience expectations with a clearly stylized look. That makes the creative feel fresh without eroding trust.
He's keeping testimonial-style work - real people, real stories - as a core FP1 format. AI augments the toolkit; it doesn't replace human voices.
What other shops are trying
Teams across the aisle are experimenting. Some cut roughs with AI voiceovers to get client buy-in faster. Others are testing voice reproduction of opponents. The NRSC even released a digital ad rendering Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer verbalizing a quote he gave to Punchbowl News - a reminder that synthetic media will draw scrutiny and demands for disclosure.
Prototype boldly, publish responsibly
Earlier this year, FP1 posted internal R&D videos hyping the "Big Beautiful Bill," a massive tax and spending proposal backed by President Donald Trump. One clip showed AI-generated characters, including a woman in a swamp holding an alligator. Wisecup said they'd never run that in a live campaign - it was a signal to clients that the shop is actively testing new tools.
His bet: AI will affect politics, communications, and advertising. Teams who learn the tools and set clear guardrails will stand out.
Practical playbook for creatives
- Use AI for stylized concepts, parodies, and previsualization - not to trick viewers.
- Label synthetic elements (onscreen or in description). Make the joke obvious.
- Keep human-centered testimonials for credibility. Blend AI only where tone allows.
- Spin up temp voiceovers and animatics to speed client decisions, then swap in real VO.
- Lean on younger teammates who live in these tools; make them your internal R&D pod.
- Build a lightweight pipeline: concept script → image/video generation → motion polish → sound design → legal review.
- Track a simple scoreboard: time saved, cost saved, and audience response (watch time, shares, comments).
- Set red lines: no undisclosed deepfakes; no synthetic assets in contexts that imply real-world footage.
Ethics and compliance checklist
- Disclose synthetic media clearly, especially in political contexts.
- Get approvals for likeness and voice use; avoid voice cloning of living individuals without permission.
- Document your AI workflow for internal review and client sign-off.
- Pressure-test for misinterpretation: Could a casual viewer think it's real? If yes, adjust.
Team and culture notes
Wisecup is doubling as creative director for PLUS Communications. He credits FP1's younger staff for pushing AI sophistication and says the cross-generational mix is energizing. The message to creative leads: give your team permission to test, then package the best ideas with clear disclosures.
Bottom line
AI gives you speed and range. Parody lowers the risk of confusion. Keep the heart of your work human, and let AI handle fast-turn spectacle, temp comps, and concept testing.
Further reading: Responsible practices for synthetic media from Partnership on AI: See guidance
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