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TV Ads Yards Signs & Online Actions
Digital Politics Radio turned the focus to the convergence of traditional and digital techniques in the first shows in May. On May 2, I spoke with Elisa Henry, Principal, Shoutpoint and John Brabender, Founder, BrabenderCox and senior adviser to the Santorum for President campaign. On May 9, my guests were Allen Fuller, Managing Partner, Flat Creek Digital and Ben Donahower, Founder, Campaign Trail Yard Signs.
Allen Fuller, Flat Creek Digital spent time as a staffer on Capitol Hill, on the campaign trail and as an adviser to candidates and advocacy groups. He sees the official web site as the central hub for a campaign and reflects on the lingering resistance to using digital tools in a political fight. He also drilled down into the needs of state and local races and the importance of targeted online ads and a social media strategy.
Interview with Allen Fuller
Interview continues with Allen Fuller
Ben Donahower, Campaign Trail Yard Signs provided keen insights about best practices for yard signs in an age of digital communications. He also talked about his newest eBook Get Out the Vote To Win with tips about effective use of text messaging .
Interview with Ben Donahower
Interview continues with Ben Donahower
Elisa Henry, Shoutpoint, is a distributed telecommunications expert and she explains the world beyond robo-calls which includes town hall meetings for thousands, rapid response and polling.
Interview with Elisa Henry
Interview continues with Elisa Henry
John Brabender, BrabenderCox is a senior political consultant with an expertise in creating compelling ads. While John is from the traditional side, he has embraced the digital world and shares some of the reasons he is so enthusiastic about online tools. He also reflects on the Santorum 2012 campaign.
Interview with John Brabender
Interview continues with John Brabender
Disruptive Technology in Healthcare and on the Campaign Trail
Digital Politics Radio closed out April talking about convergence of technology on the campaign trail and in the healthcare industry. My guests on April 24 included Dr. Richard Della Penna, Chief Medical Officer, Independa and Cami Zimmer, founder, Campaign Touch. On April 17 my guests were Bill Mastin, founder, GrassMuscle and Colin Delany, founder and editor ePolitics and author of How Campaigns Can Use the Internet to Win in 2012.
Dr. Della Penna talked about the Independa model which addresses the needs of seniors and caregivers by using a strong technology approach to keep elderly people in their homes as long as possible.
Interview with Dr. Richard Della Penna
Interview continues with Dr. Richard Della Penna
Cami Zimmer shares her reaction to the CampaignTech event in DC sponsored by Campaigns and Elections and gives us an update about views on creating mobile apps versus a mobile version of a web site.
Interview with Cami Zimmer
Interview continues with Cami Zimmer
Bill Mastin talks about how GrassMuscle a new model for generating political television ads by using a Kickstarter type approach to tap into interest and funds to pay for placement of these ads.
Interview with Bill Mastin
Interview continues with Bill Mastin
Colin Delany delves into the rules for recruitment, mobilization and messaging using digital tools. He reminds us of the need for a strong email campaign and how to combine it with social media activity and online ads.
Interview with Colin Delany
Interview continues with Colin Delany
Social Nets, Web Video & Online Ads
Digital Politics Radio show kicked April off with a new sponsor Resonate and lively discussions about social media, web video, media habits and the power of online targeting. My guests on April 10 were Malcolm Bohm, president and CEO, LiquidGrids and Nathan Fletcher, candidate for Mayor of San Diego. On April 3, my guests were Matthew Dybwad, partner CRAFT and Nick Tabbal, Sr. VP Research, Resonate.
I talked with Malcolm Bohm about his start-up LiquidGrids in San Diego which is working at the intersection of social media and healthcare to bring value to life sciences and health related clients.
Interview with Malcolm Bohm
Interview continues with Malcolm Bohm
Nathan Fletcher recently changed his registration to run as an Independent rather than as a Republican for Mayor of San Diego. He talks about how his service in the Marines helped shape his approach to bringing people together and solving problems.
Interview with Nathan Fletcher
Interview continues with Nathan Fletcher
Matthew Dybwad has been making online web video and ads for a few cycles and he talks about expectations for higher production values, role of humor in messaging, and how campaigns are using Facebook timeline, Twitter and Pinterest.
Interview with Matthew Dybwad
Interview continues with Matthew Dybwad
Using Resonate panels, Nick Tabbal has conducted research to reveal more details about conservatives, moderates, and liberals. He talks about looking at social and fiscal interests as well as demographic characteristics to better target voters.
Interview with Nick Tabbal
Interview continues with Nick Tabbal
Mobile Apps, Social Media and Super PACs
Digital Politics Radio in the month of March included John Hlinko, author of the new book Share, Retweet, Repeat, Chas Mastin, CTO, 5ive Points, Stephen Hoersting, counsel, DB Capitol Strategies, Michael Berg attorney, Tony Chen, Founder and CEO, Yellow Thunder Media, and Kip Cassino, Executive Vice President, Borrell Associates.
On March 27 I talked with John Hlinko about his new book, and engaging audiences using humor, sex appeal and targeting.
Interview with John Hlinko
Interview continues with John Hlinko
I talked with Chas Mastin, 5ive Points, about the gamification of political campaigns and how their mobile apps are changing the way campaigns organize and reward volunteers.
Interview with Chas Mastin
Interview continues with Chas Mastin
On March 20 my guests were DC lawyers Stephen Hoersting and Michael Berg. In my talk with Stephen he provided some background on the creation of Super PACs, implications for nationalization of campaigns and the future of Super PACs.
Interview with Stephen Hoersting
Interview continues with Stephen Hoersting
Michael and I talked about sources of funding for Super PACs, disclosure rules, and the push back against Citizens United by the courts in Montana.
Interview with Michael Berg
Interview continues with Michael Berg
On March 13 my guest was Tony Chen, Founder and CEO, Yellow Thunder Media and we discussed YouTube viral successes like the Kony 2012 campaign, role of online ads to drive traffic to YouTube videos, and reaching critical audience levels.
Interview with Tony Chen
Interview continues with Tony Chen
My other guest was Kip Cassino, Executive VP, Borrell Associates reviewing his most recent research on where political media budgets are being spent and the growth of online spending.
Interview with Kip Cassino
Interview continues with Kip Cassino
Tablets, Targeting & Mobile Ads
Digital Politics Radio on February 28 and March 6 included 2 journalists, a candidate for Congress and an expert on mobile in political campaigns. All of the conversations included how social media, smart phones, and tablets are changing the campaign landscape. On March 6, I talked with Kate Kaye, Senior Editor and digital reporter for ClickZ Media and Cami Zimmer, founder, Campaign Touch. On February 28, my guests were Simon Ribeiro, candidate for Congress and Nick Przybyciel, journalist and journalism student.
In my conversation with Kate Kaye we talked about online ads leading up to Super Tuesday, rich media and web video ads from Mitt Romney, Twitter campaign attacking Rush Limbaugh, and the increasing role of mobile ads.
Interview with Kate Kaye
Interview continues with Kate Kaye
The move to mobile web sites continues and Cami Zimmer discusses expectations for political mobile apps seen on smart phones and tablets and where mobile ads are being effective for GOTV and fundraising.
Interview with Cami Zimmer
Interview continues with Cami Zimmer
The previous week I talked with a candidate for Congress in IL and a journalism student focusing on the convergence of technology and journalism. Simon Ribeiro is running for Congress in the 9th District in IL which includes the Chicago suburbs and he tells the story of a candidate with little money but plenty of sophistication when it comes to using social media to gain awareness and votes.
Interview with Simon Ribeiro
Interview continues with Simon Ribeiro
Nick Przybyciel studies journalism at Medill at Northwestern University and his article Rise of the Start-Up Political Candidate was recently published on Mashable. Nick talks about the campaign of Simon Ribeiro and the reasons that journalism is an exciting field to study these days.
Interview with Nick Przybyciel
Interview continues with Nick Przybyciel
Real and Virtual Relationships with Constituents
Over the last few weeks, the topic on the Digital Politics Radio show has been building relationships with voters. On February 21 the show included Kevin Hartz, Co-Founder and CEO, Eventbrite and Mike Palamuso, VP Communications, The League of Conservation Voters. On February 14, I talked with Shaun Dakin, Founder and CEO, ReverseRoboCall and Peter Pasi, Executive VP, emotive.
Last week I talked with Kevin Hartz about the need for humans to get together in real life and how the tools from Eventbrite are leveling the playing field for activists and organizers.
Interview with Kevin Hartz
Interview continues with Kevin Hartz
Talking with Mike Palamuso provided insights from the point of view an an advocacy organization very much a part of the Keystone XL Tar Sand Pipeline protest, and in fundraising efforts for candidates in Virginia, New Mexico, and Montana.
Interview with Mike Palamuso
Interview continues with Mike Palamuso
In the previous week, Shaun Dakin also shed light on the subject of online protests related to SOPA/PIPA, the use of robocalls in 2012 and how the reverse robo call model is catching on with voters who want to have their voices heard by elected officials and the general community.
Interview with Shaun Dakin
Interview continues with Shaun Dakin
Peter Pasi highlighted the role social media, particularly Twitter, is playing in political activism, and how content from that world is being legitimized by mainstream media. We also talked about the impact negative and contrast ads have on building trust with voters and supporters.
Interview with Peter Pasi
Interview continues with Peter Pasi
Building the Narrative for Candidates and Consumers
Digital Politics Radio shows from January 31 and February 7 included Fred Davis, founder of Strategic Perception, Gary Seidman, founder Switch Yard Media, Reid Carr, President and CEO Red Door Interactive, and Tim Yale, founder TellDC.
In my conversation with Reid Carr, we talked about lessons learned from the Super Bowl ads and how advertisers are driving online and offline activity. Reid also talks about some best practices for creating a conversation and building relationships using social media and other web tools. I refer to this study by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research on Correlating Social Media Success with Marketer Usage.
Interview with Reid Carr
Interview continues with Reid Carr
Tim Yale has attracted many of the presidential candidates to TellDC and there are some very interesting questions posted along with video responses most currently from Newt Gingrich. Tim talks about how this site is a way to take the pulse of voters who are interested in finding out real information rather than just slinging mud.
Interview with Tim Yale
Interview continues with Tim Yale
I talked with Fred Davis about contrast ads, negative ads, and what makes them effective. We also talked about the differences between working with a candidate like Jon Huntsman versus working for the Super PAC that was supporting him.
Interview with Fred Davis
Interview continues with Fred Davis
My conversation with Gary Seidman continued with the theme of telling a compelling narrative that uses encourages interactivity and non-linear exploration. He is also a big fan of using archived material to tell a story.
Interview with Gary Seidman
Interview continues with Gary Seidman
Disruptive Technology in the Marketplace
Digital Politics Radio on January 24 covered a wide range. My guest in the first half of the show was Brant Cooper, and author and business consultant with an eye on entrepreneurs. My second guest was web pioneer Patrick Ruffini, President, Engage LLC.
Brant is the author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Customer Development and very insightful about the need to test a business model when introducing disruptive technology. Brant supports the Lean Start-Up Movement and thinks creatively what lessons the political community can learn from that experience.
Interview with Brant Cooper
Interview continues with Brant Cooper
The topic shifted to the use of disruptive technology in political and advocacy campaigns. I talked with Patrick about the use social media data and what it reveals about the cultural divide. Using a Facebook app Wisdom, Patrick uncovers some revealing pop culture interests shared by those who support the Republican candidates and President Obama.
In the second half of the interview we talked about Patrick’s efforts to promote the protest to SOPA and PIPA and how online leaders, social media and individuals are turning the model of lobbying on its head.
Interview with Patrick Ruffini
Interview continues with Patrick Ruffini
CA and SC Voters
Digital Politics Radio on January 17 included Ben Tulchin, president and founder of Tulchin Research and Phil Noble, founder Politics Online.
In the conversation with Ben, we talked about the efforts for the Millionaires’ Tax ballot initiative, and what a California wide survey revealed about decline-to-state or Independent voters and their opinions about environmental and other progressive issues.
Interview with Ben Tulchin
Interview continues with Ben Tulchin
The interview with Phil was days before the South Carolina primary and Phil shares his views of South Carolina voters, how people were responding to the negative television ads and the impact of online ads and social media on voter turnout. Phil also shares his views about native son Stephen Colbert and the upcoming rally with Herman Cain.
Interview with Phil Noble
Interview continues with Phil Noble
Mobile Apps
Digital Politics Radio on January 10 was direct from CES in Las Vegas and as a result there was a bit of a delay in the guests getting to the microphone. I talked that day with Barb Beach, RadioActive Network founder and filled in some time with thoughts on New Hampshire. Finally my guests Chris Ruff, CEO, UIEvolution and Scott Kveton, CEO, Urban Airship arrived.
Chris and I talked about the need to integrate apps across platforms including smart devices, tablets and autos.
Interview starts with Chris at the end of this segment.
Interview continues with Chris Ruff.
Interview with Scott Kveton includes a good description of in-app payments, push and rich-push elements that are proving so successful.

