The New Fireside Chats

Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican supporter, as marketers we will all study President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign for years to come. His use of the Internet, social networking sites, Twitter, iPhone applications and text messaging to get the vote out transformed the way elections will need to be run in the future.

In another first, on Saturday Barack Obama made his first official broadcast on YouTube. This signals a major turn in YouTube’s evolution, moving into mainstream marketing strategies. Obama plans to continue weekly video addresses in conjunction to traditional weekly radio messages.

The first broadcast focused heavily on the current global financial crisis and has already been viewed by almost 700,000 people. It was also filmed in traditional YouTube style – no fancy editing. Just a guy talking. Brilliant.

The Perfect Interview

Over the years I have media trained hundreds of people from restaurant managers and entrepreneurs to chief executives and seasoned politicians. When teaching, nothing makes a point better than a good example of a skilled interview - or a really bad one. This CP video clip from September 16 of Justin Trudeau's run for Parliament as a Liberal candidate is an example on how to give a perfect interview.

Designing by committee. It just doesn't work.

This hilarious video is posted in great tribute to our creative director, Jason Pivovitch, whose talent and patience amazes me always. It's a must see for all of us in the creative service industry.