Joe the Plumber took center stage at the last presidential debate between Obama and McCain. Painted as 2008’s Everyman, John McCain used Joe the Plumber to illustrate the impact that increased taxes would cause as a result of Barack Obama’s economic plans.
Since the presidential debate, Joe the Plumber has become an Internet sensation. John McCain later apologized to Joe the Plumber on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ for putting him in the spotlight.
It turns out that our Everyman has a reason to be upset at his unintentional fame. Joe the Plumber is an actual person named Sam. His middle name is Joseph. Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher is a single dad, but Joe the Plumber also owes $1200 in back taxes and isn’t a licensed plumber.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Internet Sensations
- Opportunity for businesses to leverage viral content and create marketing campaigns that capitalize on the popularity of internet sensations like Joe the Plumber.
- Personal Branding
- Opportunity for individuals and businesses to strategically build and manage their personal brand, taking advantage of unexpected fame like Joe the Plumber experienced.
- Tax Compliance Services
- Opportunity for tax service providers to offer specialized solutions and assistance to individuals and businesses who may need help resolving tax issues, like Joe the Plumber's back taxes.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Digital Marketing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for digital marketing agencies to create innovative campaigns that tap into the popularity of internet sensations like Joe the Plumber.
- Personal Branding Consulting
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for personal branding consultants to help individuals and businesses navigate unexpected fame and build a strong personal brand, similar to Joe the Plumber's situation.
- Tax Services
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for tax service providers to develop technology-driven solutions for managing and resolving tax issues, such as the case of back taxes owed by Joe the Plumber.
