UPDATED: Zohran Mamdani‘s campaign is debuting another spot tied to a popular reality show franchise, this time an ad debuting on Wednesday night during CBS‘ Survivor: The Island of Redemption.
In the spot, contestants vote Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s chief rival, off the island, while focusing on the message of affordability.
“Andrew, New Yorkers want a Mayor who will make groceries and childcare affordable, not sell us out to their billionaire donors,” says Teeny Chirichillo, part of season 47 of the show. Also featured: Brandon Donlon, Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho, Katurah Topps, Jacob Derwin, Stephanie Berger and Natalie Anderson.
Mamdani appears at the end of the spot, saying, “We’re going to build a city where no one has to struggle just to survive.” He then puts out a tiki torch with a coconut shell. Josh Canfield appears at the end, saying, “Didn’t we already vote you out?”
The ad, running in the New York market, is part of a seven figure ad buy by the campaign, per the campaign.
A CBS spokesperson said, “Federal law required our New York station WCBS-TV to run this candidate ad despite there not being any relationship to either Survivor or WCBS-TV.” The station ran a disclaimer before the ad that read, “The Following Message Is Not Associated with Either Survivor or CBS.” Per the network, CBS and producers were not consulted about the ad’s concept or the participation by contestants.
Earlier this month, Mamdani’s campaign produced a spot themed to ABC’s The Golden Bachelor, and running during the season premiere of the series. “New York, will you accept this rose?” Mamdani said at the end of the ad. Unlike the Survivor spot, the ad was not directed at Cuomo. Mamdani will face Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, on Thursday night.
Mamdani’s spots are designed to draw in fan bases from both reality series, something that campaigns have tried to reach in recent cycles. In 2020 and 2024, Wisconsin Democrats tied fundraisers to reunions of the cast of shows like Veep and movies like Princess Bride.
Mamdani was the surprise winner of the city’s Democratic primary following a media strategy largely focused on his campaign theme of bringing costs down. He drew attention for, among other things, short-form social media video and other viral content, as well as appearances across platforms. He had his first sit down interview with Fox News earlier on Wednesday.
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