Obama's Change.gov website demonstrates how to use Social Media effectively
So tomorrow all eyes will be on Washington D.C. and the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of The United States of America.
Since that epic day in early November 2008, when the Senator from Illinois won his momentous victory – thanks in no small part to his campaign team’s effective and innovative social media strategy – the President Elect has continued to use blogs, podcasts, video, audio, social networking and numerous other Web 2.0 tools to connect with the American people (and the rest of the World).
During the two month transition period, Obama’s Change.gov website has become a benchmark for politicians, national and local of all persuasions, on how to use social media to engage an electorate. Importantly, I think it also provides a useful reference point for businesses and organisations (of all shapes and sizes) who want to understand how to leverage Web 2.0 tools.
My understanding is that Change.gov will close as the inauguration takes place and the transition comes to and end. Whitehouse.gov will then take over as the key communications hub for President Obama and his team, incorporating all the new media tools used so effectively on Change.gov – I for one will be watching with interest to see how it develops.
Check out www.change.gov while you still can, or if you’re reading this after 20th January 2009 visit www.whitehouse.gov
Posted in: General
President-Elect Barack Obama launches weekly video address on YouTube
This week heralded the launch of Barack Obama’s new regular video address – he plans to publish weekly on YouTube throughout his Presidency.
The President-Elect used new media tools like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to devastating effect during his campaign…you can only wonder how he might employ social media to engage with not only US citizens, but also the wider World over the next four years.
It’s also going to be interesting to see how quickly politicians in the UK start to seriously adopt Web 2.0 tools as a means of engaging the electorate - I can see them playing a major role in the 2010 General Election campaign.
Posted in: General
A live webcast from Barack Obama…
OK…so it’s 7.00pm, I’m sitting at my computer and what am I doing…I’m watching a live webcast from a rally in Richmond, Virginia where Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is delivering another passionate speech…it’s pretty surreal really!
I’ve been following the Presidential campaign pretty closely, not only because I have a healthy interest in politics but also because it’s the first time Web 2.0 tools have been really embraced by politicians in a major election…particularly by Senator Obama – who is reputed to have raised millions of dollars by engaging potential voters with Blogs, You Tube videos, Facebook groups and regular ‘Tweets’ from Twitter to name but a few.
His campaign website is well worth checking out to see how a savvy politician and communicator is utilising social media, visit the site at www.barackobama.com
By the way, the live webcast came courtesy of Ustream.tv – an amazing site where you can watch a myriad of live broadcasts.
Posted in: General
Watch out Obama and McCain!
Having family in the States has always been great for holidays…but when I got an email from my Aunt saying that she’d entered me for a little competition this November, I really had no idea that she meant this!!!
Posted in: General
