As discussed in the article posted on Blackboard, President Barrack Obama was able to market himself extremely effectivley during his presidential campaign against John McCain. His campaign seemed to be similar to that of Coca-Cola or McDonalds in the way it was orgnaized, rather than that of a presidential election. Obama was able to market himself in a way that almost established him as a brand name rather than a presidential candidate.
Obama attracted followers to his product (himself as president) in the way that all firms do, by establishing a need for the particular product. Obama used the idea of Change as the need for his services. Amidst two wars and one of the worst econmic recessions since the Depression, most Americans wanted someone who was the exact opposite of former president George W. Bush. Obama realized this and strived to set himself as far apart from the struggling president as possiblle by establishing many slogans revolving around the idea of change. Obama attracted followers, like most businesses, by building relationships with customers. Most Americans found Obama to be a very likeable guy, and if it wasnt his political ideoligies and policies that you liked, it was his charisma and confidence when he spoke (yet another change from our previous president).
Obama, like firms forming a marketing stratregy, also chose his demographics wisely. He noticed his appeal to the younger demographics of voters and attempted persuade them to support his product by keeping in constant contact with the demographic through social media channels that his competitor, McCain was not using. As a result, Obama won the younger demographics vote overwhelmingly.
Barrack Obama became, in a way, a brand name during his presidential campaign and his brand continues to grow even after his election into office. Barrack Obama designed his campaign in a way very similar to that of a business trying to promote a new product, and he did it very successfully. How does Obamas campaign stack up against more traditional marketing campaigns used by firms like Coca-Cola or Nike? Is it better, worse, or identical and why?
