Obama Would Be Our First Internet President

Obama early voting ad in XBox 360 game, Burnout Paradise

Obama is running the most innovative presidential campaign of our generation. There’s no media form that he hasn’t already penetrated. I see Obama ads everywhere I go. While window-shopping on iTunes the other day, I ran into an Obama campaign app that allows people to call their friends and gives supporters access to his positions on major issues. I couldn’t help but notice this comment by one iTunes user, “I heard McCain’s app will be released on VHS.” That commenter is wrong, of course. McCain’s app will be released on the Blackberry, which McCain himself invented.

Obama also spends a massive chunk of his campaign funds on TV ads. Last week, I was watching the Colbert Report when the following message popped up on my screen: “Click ‘Select’ to see the Obama Channel.” I did. Sure enough Obama’s camp bought an entire channel on Dish Network to air his ads 24/7. Genius.

Obama for America Headquarters in Second Life

Obama’s biggest campaign platform so far has been the Internet. Not only did he embrace social media early on in his bid, he has invaded every media outlet in existence since then. Not to mention his groundbreaking online fundraising. His camp was also smart enough to build a web-based rumor clearinghouse to Fight the Smears. John Kerry could have used one of those 4 years ago.

Unsurprisingly, the Obama campaign is now going after gamers with in-game advertising. His camp has placed ads in the XBox 360 racing game Burnout Paradise, urging early voting. The game features “Obama for America” billboards while players race each other online. Mega genius.

Just as Frank Delano Roosevelt was our first Radio President and JFK was our first TV President, Obama would be the first president to instinctively understand how to leverage the Internet as a media tool if elected.

Candidates’ Social Media Stats (October 2008)

MySpace Friends

Facebook Supporters

[See more charts at TechPresident]

Words by Rizoh | Posted on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pm and is filed under Barack Obama, tech.

18 Responses

Smooth Da Hustler Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 9:32 am

Good story.

Aubrey M Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

I think his marketing campaign (of utilising new media and not just conventional) is aligned with his message of “Change”. A good sign that he really means business.

bob Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 7:44 pm

What about Ron Paul?

eatsoup Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

who is ron paul

jim Jones Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Hey, works for me. No doubt Obama is the lesser of the two evils here.

http://www.privacy-center.ru.tc

Martin Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Obama only uses one internet. Bush uses several! Bush FTW.

Pon Raul Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 8:28 pm

Ron Paul isn’t running anymore, douchenozzle.

MXTPINC Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Didn’t McCain say he invented the internet… no, he said he invented the Blackberry. Silly republicans, trix are for kids.

Matthew Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Eh. I think stuff like this is always overstated. Who’s ever heard of these websites besides hardcore supporters?

10.

John Doe Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

X Box?

Do yourself a favor and come back from the year 1999….or at the very least read the dozen other articles that actually cite the material correctly….

11.

John M. Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

The Rap Up just got a case of the blues.

I can dig.

12.

Rizoh Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm

Glad you can dig it, JM.

13.

Rizoh Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

10. John Doe Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 9:50 pm e

X Box?

Do yourself a favor and come back from the year 1999….or at the very least read the dozen other articles that actually cite the material correctly….
——————-
Whaaaat?

14.

Hamlet Au Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 3:19 am

The Obama headquarters in Second Life is actually an unofficial one run by volunteer supporters, i.e., it’s not part of Obama’s campaign.

15.

Rizoh Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 6:32 am

Well, the devotion is real, even if the reality is only virtual. My point is, you don’t seen that type of energy from McCain supporters — official or unofficial.

16.

The Paradox Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 7:44 am

I remember quite a while ago when I still played, I saw a WoW guild for Obama supporters on my server. He’s everywhere - though I’m sure a lot of it is volunteer run and not a direct result of his campaign. It would be fair to say that a major reason he has such a cross-media campaign is that the younger people who understand this mediums best are behind him.

17.

dronkmunk Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

*Will be*

/fixed.

18.

victor Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

Maybe the internet its the last bastion where the neutrality hasnt been punished at high levels, second you fool american think that the internet belongs to you, to the united states?, that the internet will be governated by an american president?, stop to write ridiculous articles, and posting them on digg.