This year, we will all witness and likely participate in the 2012 U.S. presidential election in an unprecedented manner thanks to social media and rapidly emerging technology. Not only are the campaigns and mainstream media using these tools, but voters will also have unique opportunities that will help inform their vote on Election Day come November. Here are five ways that digital media is changing the modern political environment in the U.S.:
As delegates make their way to Tampa, Florida next week for the 2012 Republican National Convention, staff and volunteers are working diligently to ensure that all Americans can participate — whether in person or remotely. Thanks to advanced technology through partnerships with AT&T, Microsoft and Google along with social media use among participants and viewers alike, they can!
According to a recent video released by convention organizers as part of their “Convention Insider” series, the goal is to make this the “most open and accessible event of its kind.”
In early June, I had the extraordinary honor and privilege of participating as a new member in the 58th Annual National Security Seminar at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania.
The war college conducts an annual 10-month program for students with an average of 20+ years of military service each. Though many of the 368 students hail from the U.S. Army (mostly colonels), all branches are represented along with 67 International Fellows from allied armed forces across the globe.
Of course, those selected to attend the full program have already achieved notable success in their military careers and this training is designed to further enhance their leadership and strategic thinking skills as they rise through the ranks. Immediately after graduation, the students go on to their next assignment for at least another three-year commitment on U.S. bases all over the world though many will serve well beyond that.
About 100 or so gathered on the roof of our building to get a glimpse of the Space Shuttle Discovery.
It was slated to fly over the Washington, DC monuments for a swansong journey before officially retiring to a new home at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles, VA.
It was supposed to arrive between 10 AM and 11 AM ET but it was early. Word traveled faster than the shuttle.
How did we know? Why, Twitter, of course. Thanks, @Smithsonian! (HT @shkon)
Discovery just flew over us at Dulles. Now headed in to fly over DC. Get out there and #spottheshuttle
So, we headed up to the roof and anxiously attempted to figure out just exactly which direction to look in anticipation of its arrival. Hashtags started to trend on Twitter such as #SpottheShuttle and #WelcomeDiscovery.
The Edelman Global Public Affairs team has released findings from the 2011 Capital Staffers Index, an annual global study that analyzes top trends in global public affairs and communications.
This year’s expanded report is the third annual survey based on interviews with over 500 senior staffers (legislative directors and above) from capital cities in 11 different countries around the world including Washington DC, Brussels, London, Beijing, Ottawa, Mexico City, Paris, Berlin, New Delhi, Buenos Aires and Brasilia.
Although traditional methods public affairs components are still valuable, social media channels have experienced a meteoric rise in their ability to shape and influence policy worldwide over the past year.
We discussed the new Kindle, Apple price fixing allegations, President Obama’s “We the People” petition via WhiteHouse.gov, government and social media, crowdsourcing, ID spoofing and much more.
Over the past couple weeks, the White House has been all about Twitter.
Of course, President Obama’s team isn’t exactly new to Twitter — and neither is the White House. His official @whitehouse Twitter account has been in use since April 2009 and his @BarackObama campaign handle launched in March 2007. Today, the campaign’s Twitter feed seems to be in full re-election mode with almost 9 million followers and the #Obama2012 staff working to keep it updated with both campaign and official White House news.
So, what’s new? The most recent activity of note is that the president himself is beginning to tweet.
Today, Edelman released the findings of our 2010 Capital Staffer Index during an event hosted in the Washington, DC office. Edelman’s Public Affairs & StrategyOne teams interviewed senior legislative staffers around the globe in several capital cities including Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris and Washington to determine the role and influence of various communications channels both online and off. Below are some of my initial — and personal — thoughts about the U.S. survey results.
Anyone in the DC area know of any housing options for a 20yo woman headed to town for summer internship? Plan A just fell through.
Time ago 1 Hourvia Twitter for iPhone
This year, we will all witness and likely participate in the 2012 U.S. presidential election in an unprecedented manner thanks to social media and rapidly emerging technology. Not only are the campaigns and mainstream media using these tools, but voters will also have unique opportunities that will help inform their vote on Election Day come November. Here are five ways that digital media is changing the modern political environment in the U.S.:
The war college conducts an annual 10-month program for students with an average of 20+ years of military service each. Though many of the 368 students hail from the U.S. Army (mostly colonels), all branches are represented along with 67 International Fellows from allied armed forces across the globe. 
Our Nation’s Capital is well known for iconic 
This year’s expanded report is the third annual survey based on interviews with over 500 senior staffers (legislative directors and above) from capital cities in 11 different countries around the world including Washington DC, Brussels, London, Beijing, Ottawa, Mexico City, Paris, Berlin, New Delhi, Buenos Aires and Brasilia. 
