Ann Davison

Campaigning Towards Social Media Victory

Go mobile or go home.  That’s the advice I keep repeating to organizations planning to maximize the business and reputation opportunities available at the 2012 political conventions.  But the deeper question for political watchers is the impact social media will have on the actual November election.

In a recent Wall Street Journal article on the topic, Andy Kessler chronicled the evolution of media influences in campaigns from the first televised debate between Nixon and JFK in 1952 to the “make your own Obama commercial” craze that swept YouTube in 2008.   Today’s candidates are in a constant race not only to top their competition in the quarterly financial filings but in the daily tally of Facebook fans and Twitter followers. 

But as Kessler notes, when it comes to social media influence in campaigns, the true power lies in quality over quantity.  “Those with social media influence are most likely to help campaigns convert interest into votes,” Kessler writes.  

Converting interest to action is the holy grail of advocacy and political campaigns.  And for that to happen, the message must do much more than simply raise awareness.  Target audiences (eligible and likely to vote citizens, in the case of elections) must feel the message being received is relevant, empowering and urgent.  An individual’s beliefs and attitudes along with intentions are the best predictors of behavior.  And the quality of the messenger is an important link in that equation.

So, the question in the 2012 elections with regard to social media impacts may not be about how many friends of fans Obama or Fill-in-the-Blank Presidential Nominee may be able to attract – but who are the individuals putting up those virtual yard signs in front of their electronic house, and what do they say.  

 

Living Large at 10,000 Feet

When I was in my 20s I picked airline flights by price.  In my 30s, schedule was the priority. In the second half of my 40s, items like in-flight menu options and ambiance have become more important.

After ten flight segments with five different carriers in the last ten days, the winner is United Airlines in the Food Category and Virgin Airlines in the Ambiance Category.

The United menu features a delicious Tapas Snack Pack. Weighing in at 583 calories, the hummus, red pepper spread and olives in this $8.49 offering (why not $8.50?) sent me right to the Web to see where I could order my own individual serving size versions of the treat. I suppose the idea is to share this rather large "snack" with your seat mates, but when it's your one major meal for the day, I say dig in!

(Note: Alaska Airlines has a $6 Mediterranean Tapas Picnic that rivals United's and costs less.  I just didn't happen to have an opportunity to fly this awesome airline in the period studied, much to my chagrin.)

My trip on Virgin was a first and the mood lighting got the trip off to a good start. With excellent Wi-Fi, I spent the next five hours texting my hubby and sharing pictures of the San Francisco Giant's World Series Trophy that happened to be seated in First Class via Twitter, Facebook and email. Easy-peasy access. (C'mon USAir - get with the program.) Want a snack? Simply push a few buttons on your personal TV monitor and a perky flight attendant arrives shortly with your request. It's possible I could have ordered ahead but I'll have to try that next time I book a flight.

For a full review of culinary delights at 10,000 feet, see: Coffee, Tea Or Tapas by the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney. For frequent fliers, another great information source is www.airlinetrends.com.

Don't worry Alask Airlines. I remain a loyal customer with your branded bag tags on my luggage. Please just expand flights in and out of DCA, as schedule is a factor.

Savoring the Moment

At the suggestion of WSJ columnist Katherine Boehret, I decided to check out a new online tool for photo and video sharing, www.thisMoment.com. 

The site allows anyone with whom you share a moment to see that moment without signing up for the service. If that person is included in the moment, meaning the creator labeled him or her as a person who participated in the moment, then that person can add his or her own content to the moment after a simple sign-up. 

I'm sold!  Check out my first entry by searching "Ann Davison" or "Alask" as you enter the site.  I loved the ease at uploading files; the ability to combine visuals and text; options to add maps and links; and the simple way to share the site with friends.

Try it!