Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Hats off to Obama and his new media team

First, as a Canadian, I'd like to extend my good wishes to all my friends and colleagues in the US, who welcome into office today President Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

As a marketer, I'd also like to take my hat off to the President's new media team led by - who (probably before the President lowered his hand) launched a new and revolutionary WhiteHouse web site today - ushering in a true Government 2.o era. The site sets a new level for communication in the public sector, perpetuating and building on the the President's brilliant use of social media during his campaign. It looks and feels nothing like your average government communications vehicle. The site uses powerful messaging, dramatic imagery, video (promising weekly video addresses reminicent of FDR's famous radio fireside chats), blogs and other social media tools to deliver the President's agenda to the people and to solicit real time feedback from citizens of the US. In my estimation its a stroke of communications brilliance. If you haven't had a look at it yet - please do http://www.whitehouse.gov/