Monday, December 04, 2006
"Applebee's America"
I recently had a chance to read this interesting new book, "Applebee's America", by Douglas B. Sosnik, Matthew J. Dowd and Ron Fournier. The book uses the recent reelection campaigns of both Bush and Clinton, as well as looks inside megachurches and the restaurant chain Appleee's, to explore new ways that organizations are attracting voters/members/dollars, in a world that is rapidly changing.
There is a lot in the book about the Bush and Clinton reelection campaigns, and a lot of discussion of how campaigns are now using technology to connect to voters. In particular, they focus on two "myths": first, that technology is making for a more disconnected America; second, that the easy availability of information is forcing fewer voters to turn to others for information. The authors assert that both myths are false, and argue that Americans are using technology increasingly to build social and political connections, and that information technologies are leading voters to increasingly turn to reliable individuals (called "Navigators") to help alleviate information overload.
It's an interesting book, and an easy read. Not a lot of analytic content here, but for those interested in political networks, and how campaigns are rethinking the use of information technologies, it is a worthwhile read. And by the way, the book contained one of the most accessible discussions of "microtargeting" that I've read!
There is a lot in the book about the Bush and Clinton reelection campaigns, and a lot of discussion of how campaigns are now using technology to connect to voters. In particular, they focus on two "myths": first, that technology is making for a more disconnected America; second, that the easy availability of information is forcing fewer voters to turn to others for information. The authors assert that both myths are false, and argue that Americans are using technology increasingly to build social and political connections, and that information technologies are leading voters to increasingly turn to reliable individuals (called "Navigators") to help alleviate information overload.
It's an interesting book, and an easy read. Not a lot of analytic content here, but for those interested in political networks, and how campaigns are rethinking the use of information technologies, it is a worthwhile read. And by the way, the book contained one of the most accessible discussions of "microtargeting" that I've read!
YouTube creating new markets, in politics
I guess it had to happen. Someone would figure out that YouTube can be a complicated and difficult medium to use for political communications. So I wasn't surprised to read the release regarding "Capitol Hill Broadcasting Network", a new website:
The release is here.
(that) caters to the narrow but diverse audience of political candidates, elected officials, political pundits, advocacy groups, political junkies, and government agencies. Created to leverage new uses of video technology for the political community, CHBN allows its users to inform, educate, advocate, influence, and campaign at the click of a mouse.
David Livingston, a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. and the site's founder, says: "CHBN is a non-partisan website that serves as a free and powerful communication tool for people and organizations in the political community. It'll not only serve as an important tool for candidates and others, but it will also be entertaining and informative for our visitors."
"We feel confident that this is where politics on the internet is heading," Livingston says. "We wanted to be the first to provide a professional, politically themed online network. Members can create and upload their own videos or upload their existing media to give it additional exposure. Elected officials can use the site to give weekly video updates to stay connected to his or her constituents. In addition, individuals and advocacy groups can broadcast legislative proposals or viewpoints on an issue, and can receive feedback through CHBN's 'rating' and 'comment' feature. Unlike television, this tool allows members to immediately gauge viewer interest while complementing online fundraising efforts."
The release is here.
