Social media is playing a bigger role in the current presidential campaign than ever before. While it doesn't take a political analyst to see that this will be a record-setting cycle for spending, it might surprise you to see that the two top dogs are relying more and more on social media, which is considered a deal when you consider the bang for the buck.
"Both (President) Obama and (Mitt) Romney are poised to spend record amounts of money on getting their messages out through TV," said Greg Ferraro, who runs the public relations company the Greg Ferraro Group and has worked on a number of high powered political campaigns. "But keep in mind that they are also relying more and more on social media, and a lot of that is free."
"It's just one more tool in their arsenal this time around," said UNR Political Science Professor Eric Herzik. "They are still relying on television in battleground states like Nevada, but they are broadening their reach to specific audiences through FaceBook, LinkedIn and even e-mail. It gives them another connection to voters."
You may have noticed one of the newer approaches is through almost lottery-type e-mail campaigns. Both Obama and Romney have launched ways for voters to contribute small amounts to their campaigns and in doing so, win a chance to meet the candidates or have dinner with them or meet a celebrity who endorses them. The trick is you have to check back daily to see if you won. And with that you become linked in to their daily campaign messages.
"Social media is something that Obama clearly has a lead with," said Herzik. "He used it effectively in the last campaign to reach younger voters. But now you'll see Romney kick up the anti as well. And believe me, you'll be seeing a lot more money for television advertising here after the convention. In fact I would not be surprised to see the presidential candidates spend a billion dollars on advertising nationwide before this is over."
To date the two have spent more than $13.5 million in the Silver State. Stand-by for updates.
Written by Erin Breen
