Mobile Technology’s Impact on Political Campaigns in the U.S. and Around the World

Brookings Institution
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2012/0214_mobile_campaigns.aspx

Mobile technology is playing an increasing role in U.S. politics. A 2010 study from the Pew Research Center found that 26 percent of Americans used their cell phones to learn about or participate in the 2010 mid-term elections. In the four years since the Obama campaign revolutionized the use of text messaging in politics, how has the connection between mobile technology and voter outreach changed in the United States and other countries around the world? How are mobile applications and geotargeting of ads affecting the political process? How has mobile technology influenced political reporting? And how are these advancements being used in elections internationally?

On February 14, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will host a forum as part of the mobile economy project examining how mobile technology is being used to engage voters, raise money, deliver candidate messages, and help reporters cover campaigns, both in the United States and around the globe. The discussion will focus on the impact of mobile outreach on political fundraising, persuasion, outreach, and reporting in the United States and other countries around the world. Moderated by Darrell West, vice president and director of Governance Studies, a panel of experts will share their views and recent research on the ways mobile technology is reshaping the modern political campaign.

Introduction and Moderator
Darrell M. West
Vice President and Director, Governance Studies

Panelists
Clark Gibson
Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science
University of California, San Diego

Scott Goodstein
Founder/CEO
Revolution Messaging

Katie Harbath
Associate Manager, Policy
Facebook Inc.

Aaron Smith
Senior Research Specialist
Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project

Daniel Ureña
Managing Partner, MAS Consulting Group
Professor, Pontificial Comillas University