Advercation = Advertising + Education

I just recieved a twitter msg from Barack Obama that reads:

twitter: BarackObama: Launching Obama Mobile text messaging; text ‘GO’ to OBAMA (62262) to get a free bumper sticker.

Clearly I texted and got back:

Thanks for joining Obama Mobile. To get a free Obama sticker reply STKR & type your complete mailing address. Txt HELP for help, STOP to quit. Std rates apply.

Lastly, I recieved this text:

Thank you for ordering your Obama sticker & joining Obama Mobile. For more info & ringtones visit http://www.barackobama.com/mobile

Twitter + Mobile + Direct Mail…I like that!

Asking for a full postal address via text is quite a request. I wounder how many folks will opt into this. Maybe there could have been a wallpaper for your handset instead. Updated: Wow. Yeah, there are more than a wallpapers @ Barack Obama’s Mobile Campaign home.

Obama’s twitter has 3320 followers. My guess is that about 20% max will text ‘GO’, which means 640 cell #’s will be added to the database. Another 30% might send their full address, leaving us with 96 folks getting stickers from this twitter interaction. The campaign will be touting this promotion elsewhere (I’m surprised I haven’t gotten an email about it yet) just got the email to “Take the Movement Offline”, 12 hours after the Twitter msg.  I like the fact that Twitter friends of Obama are in the know faster than the general audience.

My favorite feature is the ringtone download. I’m not a ‘big ringtone guy’ but “2004 DNC Speech Rock” ringtone is pretty cool. I justed downloaded/enabled it. I’m going to see what my friends’ reactions are when they hear my phone go off.

Othern notes: Looks like the campaign used Jeroen Wijering’s flash media player for the ringtone previews.

Living and working in DC almost necessitates that you become integrated into the political scene somehow.

I’ve largely avoided this reality, but one element of the 2008 campaign has forced me to engage and watch every carefully - the innovative interactive implementations campaigns are using to reach their audiences.

While broadband video was an obvious path to take, and certainly one that should help and hurt candidates this election season, there’s a less obvious tactic being employed; candidates are using Twitter.

Official Twitters:

Barack Obama’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/BarackObama

Note: Confirmed official today by Ravi and Scott Goodstein (who’s running it). Barack we want to see you start using this tool more. If you do, more of us with come to your May 23rd rally in DC.

John Edward’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/JohnEdwards

Note: Staff updates are cool and all. But we’re looking for your posts mostly.

UnOfficial Twitters:

Rudolph Giuliani’s Twitter - http://twitter.com/rudolphgiuliani

Note: Rudy, being the nice Italian American boy from NJ that I am, I reserved your twitter for you so that when you r campaign decides it’s worth using I’ll donate it to you. I had to back Barack this go around thought!

Hillary Clinton’s Twitter - http://twitter.com/hillaryclinton

Notes: Boring.

Mitt Romney’s Twitter - http://http://twitter.com/mittromney

Notes: Double boring.

John McCain’s Twitter - http://twitter.com/johnmccain

Notes: Triple boring.

Satirical Twitters:

Bill Clinton’s Twitter: http://twitter.com/billclinton

Notes: Super NOT boring. Someone has taken Bill’s twitter. Why does that sound vaguely dirty?

Friends –

I would like to invite you to join me at an unique event in support of Senator Barack Obama’s historical bid to become the next President of the United States.  Whether you are passionate about politics, prefer politics-lite a la Jon Stewart, or are simply sick and tired of politics as usual, I invite you to get involved in something that is truly different.  

Instead of hearing from me why you should support Barak Obama, I invite you to hear it from Senator Obama himself. 

Event Details:

Generation O

DC Kick-Off Event 

featuring

Senator Barack Obama

When: Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 PM

Where: H2O Restaurant & Lounge, 800 Water Street SW, Washington, DC

Purchase tickets by contributing online today and you will be placed on the door list.  ID is required for admission.  You will receive an e-mail confirming that your contribution has been processed.

Please follow this link to purchase tickets to the event or to contribute

This event is filling up quickly so please RSVP now.  If you cannot attend please consider making a contribution in lieu of attendance

Peter