Mobile Advocacy Do’s and Don’ts

Mobile advocacy efforts are just beginning around the world.  What are we learning from these emergent campaigns what works and what does not in using mobile phones to advance a cause or an issue?

Of course, we think that advocacy organizations should start to pay serious attention to using mobiles in their work. There is increasing evidence that mobile social marketing works in increasing brand awareness and moving people to actions. It is also becming an increasingly effective way to engage users and constituents. Here are a few pointers from what we have learned to date. Continue reading Mobile Advocacy Do’s and Don’ts…

A wild week of press for Calder’s Catherine Geanuracos and Katrin Verclas

Given that we have launched barely a month ago, we have been getting, thanks to our various projects, some great press this week. The Canadian Boradcasting recently aired an hour-long documentary about the cell phone revolution that gives a nice global overview of mobile culture. Katrin Verclas from Calder Strategies and MobileActive.org is featured briefly.

In this week’s Economist, there is a special survey on ‘Mobility”. See the section on the “World of Witnesses” describes how mobiles are used in civic action. Katrin Verclas, Calder Strategies and MobileActive.org was interviewed for the piece and is quoted there.

Just for fun, David Pogue mentions on his blog Ringtones08.com, the “weird little site” Joe Lee from CitizenSpeak (hooray for Jo!) and I conceived for user-generated political ringtones.

And finally, for a press coup, Catherine Geanuracos of Calder Strategies and her campaign YrMomma4Obama was featured on the front page of the New York Times this week in a long article on how young voters influence their parents.

It is great to see that mainstream press is starting to get it. Will YOU in your next campaign?

YrMama4Obama in the New York Times - A Viral Youth Text Message Campaign

Twist Their Arms? The New York Times today features YrMama4Obama, a viral site that uses mobile marketing for young people to convince their parents to vote for Obama. The site was developed by Catherine Geanuracos, a principal at Calder Strategies. The site asks people, for example:

Is yr Mama 4 Obama? We need our parents to vote for him 2 win PA on Apr 22. Pass this on to everyone u know and tell your parents how u feel. Gobama!

The Times writes:

For some waffling primary voters, the relentless push by their children was good enough reason to capitulate. Eager to encourage their offspring’s latest enthusiasm, they have been willing to toss up their hands and vote for Mr. Obama, if only to impress their children….

Web sites like Kids for Obama and YrMomma4Obama urge youngsters to talk up the candidate to their parents.

We agree! If you want help with your mobile campaign, contact Catherine at catherine [at] calderstrategies [dot] com. The full text of the New York Times cover story is here.