Obama’s Online Newsroom
Posted by: Chelsea Nuzum on: March 26, 2009
Barack Obama is a prime example of someone who used new social media to their advantage. Is it any wonder he was able to win the election after connecting to millions of supporters through a variety of new mediums including Twitter, Facebook (which included 3.1 million friends), an iPhone application where anyone could subscribe to get immediate updates about the campaign sent to their phone and finally, an online pressroom for journalists so that news could be accessed immediately and made into stories. All of this social media was very successful as it kept Obama in the public eye, and most of all, made him seem like less of an unapproachable figure and more of a friend that was on America’s side. After the election was over, and Obama had come out of the race extremely victorious, all of these techniques did not seize to exist. Below is a powerpoint presentation that highlights how Obama used these media strategies to win over the American public.
Obama still has many social networking sites and keeps up a blog, twitter and iPhone application. All of these can be accessed through his official website. However, this blog is more concerned with how Obama uses his online newsroom to his advantage. The newsroom is a link from Barack Obama’s official website as well so it can be easily accessed. The newsroom primarily includes:
- news articles
- press releases
- a blog
- donation site
- contact information
- high resolution photos
- staff biographies
- mission statements
When looking at the Obama administration’s online newsroom, it is much like viewing a newsroom from one of the other company case studies I examined earlier. It contains all the information any journalist or interested person would need to access information about the administration and what is happening with it currently. Obama’s newsroom also includes a subscription application in which anyone can be updated by e-mail as soon as new information is posted. Obama’s site is completely reporter-friendlyas well which can only work to his advantage being the object of so much public attention.
Lauren Drablier posted a blog post which applauded Obama’s efforts in using this new social media to win the election and win over the people.
3 Responses to "Obama’s Online Newsroom"
March 29, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I found it interesting how you explained the fact that Obama used social media to connect to the people, allowed him to seem more of a friend and more approachable. Which I agree with and it just shows how using social media tools correctly can effect people in a positive way. I just know that everyone talked about how Obama used the internet wisely to connect and inform. Its good that there is a widely used newsroom, which I feel is very effective, for reporters, looking for new updates and photos.
March 30, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Obama’s campaign was unlike any other presidential campaign America has ever seen because he did use these social media tools. Now with him having an online newsroom, it is even easier to see what kinds of things are going on in the oval office. Of course I’m sure there are some things that will not be posted there but it’s good to know that if we want information on the decisions are leaders are making then we can hopefully find them all in one spot. And since they are coming directly from his website, the information has hopefully not been twisted at all by any reporters.
March 29, 2009 at 4:55 PM
One of the things I was most impressed with when it came to Obama’s campaign was his use of social media and the Internet. He was much more effective and visible than any other candidate in that spectrum. He won over Americans by his availability and communication through this medium. Now that he is President, I love that he has kept up his Twitter and Facebook accounts and I see this new online newsroom as just an improvement on what he has already done with social media. I find it interesting that social media are affecting every part of our lives, including campaigns and the presidency.