Oct 15, 2008 10:16 am US/Eastern
Obama, McCain Ads Take Advantage Of New Media
(CBS4.com)
Political advertising targeting specific groups is nothing new, but this year's presidential race is taking it to whole new levels.
For example, this year Barack Obama's campaign is targeting young voters with billboards in a popular video game called "Burnout Paradise." On the virtual billboard is a picture of Obama and the message "Early Voting Has Begun. VoteForChange.com."
The presidential election has become in part about marketing. In this case the product is McCain and Obama.
"It's fascinating to watch how the two of them play the game," said Bruce Turkel to CBS4's Jorge Estevez.
Bruce Turkel of Turkel Advertising in Coconut Grove said the trend is to target specific voters and make them feel special.
"I saw a bumper sticker today that was talking about John McCain," said Meagan Bonnot, a married woman in her 20's. "It said John McBush."
And there are more targets. McCain Websites asks supporters to join online phone banks and join the team. Obama's campaign website allows supporters to download a ring tone to their cell phone which chants his name during an incoming call.
Both candidates are also taking advantage of the social networking sites Facebook and MySpace.
The point is to have everyone included. "That's the part of how we communicate how we market how we advertise," said Derric Bonnot, a married man in his 20's.
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