Setting up across the street from today’s Republican debate in Greenville, South Carolina, Netflix has created a faux campaign headquarters for House of Cards Frank Underwood. Displaying the phrase “Frank Underwood: Anything for America” at the top of the structure, visitors to the campaign site can pick up a “FU 16” campaign button as well as literature on why Underwood will be the best candidate for the 2016 general election.
Inside the building, visitors can take pictures at a replica of the oval office desk as well as grab some free food and massages. The food was branded with the fake “Freddy’s BBQ” restaurant that Underwood patrons during the first two seasons of House of Cards. Netflix even brought out a cardboard stand-up of Republican front-runner Donald Trump for people to take selfies.
We’re ready for you, Greenville. #GOPDebate #FU2016https://t.co/JUwGKsJdoR
— House of Cards (@HouseofCards) February 12, 2016
Of course, setting up in Greenville was also a strategic move to tie into the show’s main character. In House of Cards, Underwood’s hometown is Gaffney, South Carolina, roughly a 45 minute drive away on a major highway. According to the organizers of the event, the campaign headquarters was created in California and shipped out to Greenville prior to this weekend’s Republican debate.
Netflix representatives plan to have the headquarters open all day today in order to attract visitors to the Republican debate. Of course, the marketing stunt is designed to bring attention to the launch of House of Cards season four, which has a debut date of Friday, March 4 on Netflix. The latest trailer depicts a dark path for Underwood in season 4. It also has the show’s first images of Neve Campbell, who appears to be playing some sort of assistant to Claire Underwood, the character portrayed by Robin Wright.
