Getting the (Text) Message Across

(Photo credit: ABC News)

Today, in an effort to create buzz and push out news, Obama supporters (or anyone else who has signed up) will receive the announcement of who his running mate will be by text message or email. This decision to text supporters is being seen as a way to boost his appeal to younger voters who want to be the “first to know”.

Obama, whether you like him or not, has used technology to his advantage in his campaign to reach his database of supporters for whom text and email are 24/7 realities. You can sign up for e-mail notes, text messages about a number of topics and/or become a fan of his on Facebook. Many voters of any age use email on a daily basis but adding text messaging and social networking to his campaign is aimed at reaching millennials – who are always looking for the fastest and easiest ways to communicate.

Is the Obama campaign simply catching up with the times? Or will the use of ‘newer’ technologies to reach supporters have an effect on voter demographics in this election? I am very interested to see the results.

- Ali Smith