Three Minds On Digital Marketing @ Organic

The organizers of the event did a great job of focusing incoming questions on topics that would have greater appeal to the young audience.  Social topics and the Iraq War were avoided with Republican candidates, and instead questions were focused on tax reform and Ron Paul's interesting Libertarian viewpoints.  Education opportunities and health care reform were highlighted with Democratic candidates. 

By doing so, the event served as a highlights reel of the pros (rather than the cons) of the candidates positions, specifically where a younger audience might agree.  Mike Huckabee even pulled the Colbert-Chuck Norris card in his closing statements.  What was completely missing, however, was any discussion about technology, such as net neutrality, online piracy and, using technology to promote government transparency.  It seemed especially odd considering the focus on technology in the presentation of the event.

For those curious about where the candidates stand on technology concerns, Popular Mechanic's Geek The Vote organizes technology proposals by category taken from candidates web sites.

Where the event did succeed was in outputting the event live across mediums including mtv.com, MySpace, MTV Mobile, hi-definition screens in Times Square, XM radio, and several broadcast channels.  With supporters cheering outside and holding up signs, questions pouring in from instant messaging, and on-the-fly interpretation of instant poll data, the event had a flow that felt both refreshing and exciting.  However, things were not taken as far as they could.  There was no running commentary or poll data (as the candidate spoke) from the internet audience available to TV viewers.  And, candidates were never asked to respond to the "not buying it" ratings that registered on a few questions, something that could have been used to produce some more authentic responses.

In the end, there is no denying the history being made, the idea that young people are this interested in a Presidential primary and that an interactive platform is available to them to speak somewhat directly with the candidates.  Hopefully, MySpace will realize that even more can be leveraged from the engaged audience and the social technology by the time November rolls around.

Marta Strickland