politics

Five brand campaigns that took a stand on social issues

Research suggests that consumers respond better to brands that display corporate responsibility, with 73% of people believing that companies should do more than just offer a product or service. 

As it happens, many brands are already doing their bit, commonly drawing up ‘social good’ strategies to raise money or fight for a chosen cause. However, more often than not, this is done somewhat behind-the-scenes – not as part of a consumer-facing strategy. 

The growing politicization of brands in a polarized world

From Brexit to the US presidential election, it would seem that we are living in one of the most politically-focused and politically-polarized times in recent memory.

Increasingly, the political discourse is finding its way into the brand world. Or, to be more accurate, brands are joining the political discourse.

The digital campaigns behind London’s Mayoral election

Whatever apathy, excitement, rage or despair you might feel about the main candidates for Mayor of London, there’s no doubting that the vote on May 5th was a big deal.

The winner will enjoy the third-biggest direct personal mandate of any politician in Europe. That’s a lot of people power.

So how did the main candidates use people power in the run up to the election?

How vital was digital marketing to the Conservatives’ 2015 election victory?

Thanks to the use of social media by Obama’s team in 2008 and 2012, the role of digital marketing in politics has been a hot topic. 

Online was a key battleground in the recent general election, and this trend will only increase in the years to come. 

I’ve been talking to Craig Elder, Digital Director at the Conservative Party, about the role digital played in a Conservative victory. 

Social media in an election year: what can we expect?

Politics and social media go hand in hand. There’s even a social network with political consciousness an implicit demand of its users (Volkalize).

Social media is mature enough now that in America the senate is currently deciding on whether employers should have the right to demand disclosure of social network user names from its employees.

Essentially, we see our free social media activity as a right, as much as we do our vote.

With Alastair Campbell the opening speaker on day two of our Festival of Marketing, and British and American elections in 2015 and 2016 respectively, it seems appropriate to ask ‘what can political parties expect from social media?’

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