As the reelected president and new Congress dust themselves off and begin remaking America again, it’s worth recognizing how last year transformed the inner workings of our democracy and the industries that strive to improve it. The lesson is that everything in the public sector that can be social must be to keep pace with the public’s mindset. With technical information almost doubling every year now, it’s no surprise that there are rapidly evolving systems – and new solutions – to help solve our nation’s very real problems. Now, alongside the image-makers and storytellers who have traditionally driven public campaigns, the most interesting new key players in the political industry are the social scientists and design experts who are applying behavioral psychology and statistical modeling to motivate action. Even as Capital Hill stumbles over the fiscal cliff and lands on the debt ceiling extension and new cabinet secretaries enter the … Continued
In the tumult of activities this Fall — client projects, our work for the DNC, and the launch of our San Francisco and DC offices — SocialxDesign has been quiet about a project in the non-profit arena we have been supporting for some time. It launched just last week, but already it is getting some buzz. The project, Parranda — the work of eighteen entrepreneurs, scientists, and business leaders — is an online/offline social network aimed at powering the Puerto Rican diaspora. Many of you, I am sure, are aware of the following, but just in case: –Puerto Rico is undergoing a massive migration of its middle-class to the mainland US. It’s created a brain drain from an island that cannot afford it. –Puerto Rican citizens in the US recently surprised politicians — and marketers — with their voting power in the new places they occupy in the mainland US … Continued
If you didn’t get a chance to attend SNCR’s Annual Symposium last week, never fear – we’ve posted the Slideshare of Giovanni’s presentation, “The Marketing of the President: 2012.” Take a look at the marketing strategies of Obama and Romney from the perspective of a marketing consultant who supported the DNC’s Hispanic outreach campaign. If you did happen to make it out, leave us your thoughts on the session in the comments below!
Giovanni picks his top nominees for the GOP’s Rogue Gallery… “Whether they are recruited, merely tolerated, or loathed by the candidate, they are seen as symbols of the party or surrogates for the campaign. Way back in 2004 — dark days for the Democratic party — Berkeley professor George Lakoff chided his fellow Democrats for falling prey to a party that was far better organized, far more disciplined, and far more willing to tow the party line. Perhaps Mr. Lakoff is feeling merrier these days, for one of the striking features of the GOP’s 2012 campaign is how much of the party has gone rogue…” Check out the full post from Giovanni on his Forbes.com blog: “Rogues Gallery: The Romney Campaign’s Unwanted Surrogates.”
Giovanni Rodriguez on Hult. An international business school excelling in, and disrupting, “business” as usual. “The international business school hasn’t been around that long. But it’s coming of age at the right time … the age of social entrepreneurship. One of the great perks of being a social tech consultant is that you get the privilege to speak at amazing venues. My favorite type of venue: universities. I am lucky: so far the list includes Yale, Harvard, and Stanford. But until this week, I had never spoken at a business school attached to any institution. I gave a lecture yesterday at the San Francisco campus for Hult,where the business school is the institution…” Check out the full post from Giovanni on his Forbes.com blog: “Hult Breeds Disruption in MBA Market”
Giovanni Rodriguez examines the theatrical nuance of last nights presidential debates. Did the candidates act the part? “Stagecraft mattered quite a bit in the first debate. But with a real stage in the second, Obama stole the show. You may already know this: about me: before I became a marketer – sometime in the late 90’s – I was small professional theater producer. As co-owner of a Berkeley-based theater company, I produced mostly one-man (or one-woman plays) and small ensemble pieces that played especially well in smaller, more intimate venues. So it was with special attention that I watched last night’s drama unfold at the second presidential debate, which was held at a venue not unlike in size with the ones I best know. But you don’t have to be a theater person to appreciate the stagecraft in last night’s debate…” Check out the full post from Giovanni on his Forbes.com blog: “Obama’s Masterpiece … Continued
While waiting for the trademark summer fog to blow through San Francisco, SocialxDesign and our sister agency, Eastwick, readied ourselves for yet another launch last week – only this time, it was our own. The evening really was perfect – amidst yummy food and drinks, and conversations with dear friends and new comrades, we welcomed SxD to the SF scene. Punctuating the night: A panel discussion featuring our own advisors, founders and senior consulting fellows, giving insight on the current state of social, what’s in store for the ever-changing landscape, and the opportunities on the horizon. On the night of, we were capturing the live tweeting via a projection off to the side of the panel, but I’ve Storify’d the whole thing here if you want to play catch-up. You can also get a full download of the night via the photos posted to SxD’s Flickr stream – enjoy. Cheers and … Continued
Fun project launch this week from Eastwick client NetBase. They’ve launched a site that is taking the political pulse of the nation in real-time, using Twitter and sentiment analysis: NetBase’s 2012 Election Mood Meter. “The NetBase Mood Meter monitors real-time reaction to candidates on the DNC and GOP tickets. But in this election, the big time for real time is the next presidential debate. When watching tomorrow’s presidential debate, no doubt you’ll be wondering if President Obama gets his groove back. But for a growing number of Americans — marketers, political junkies, campaign workers and volunteers — you’ll be curious to know when he gets his groove back, or loses it again…” Read the full post from Giovanni on Forbes, “Will Obama Get His Groove Back? New Technology May Tell You ‘When.‘” Photo Credit: NetBase
