The Internet and the Obama Campaign a talk by Mary Joyce The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy December 1, 2008

first, a brief disclaimer : this is not official I do not speak for the transition or the campaign or the incoming administration I speak only for myself presenting public information

history

What role did the Internet play in this victory? Election night, Grant Park, Chicago

Old Media New Media +

Earned Media Print TV Blogs

Earned Media Paid Media Old Media “ Free” Media New Media

Connecting the citizen to the candidate

web site is omni-present = barrier to interaction with the candidate is lowered dramatically

a virtuous cycle... $ Fundraising

...low cost of ask means smaller donations are sufficient and more people can afford to donate $ $ $ $ $

...but it wasn't all about money asks: phone-banking out-of-state voter reg volunteering

...and what about interaction?

The Internet is cool, but don't lose your focus .

In the end, it's all about getting into a booth and voting In the end, it's all about getting into a booth and voting you can only win offline

Title Slide: AP (Rick Bowmer)‏ Slide 1 : Gawker.com, Huffingtonpost.com, the LA Times Slide 2 : CNN Slide 3 : BenSeese (Flickr)‏ Slide 4 : Barack Obama (Flickr)‏ Slide 5 : Barack Obama (Flickr)‏ Slide 6 : extrememortman.com, michale (Flickr)‏ Slide 16 : Reuter's Slide 25 : Eric S. (Yelp) Image Credits

Title Slide: AP (Rick Bowmer)‏

Slide 1 : Gawker.com, Huffingtonpost.com, the LA Times

Slide 2 : CNN

Slide 3 : BenSeese (Flickr)‏

Slide 4 : Barack Obama (Flickr)‏

Slide 5 : Barack Obama (Flickr)‏

Slide 6 : extrememortman.com, michale (Flickr)‏

Slide 16 : Reuter's

Slide 25 : Eric S. (Yelp)