Back to Basics

Ever since Presidents Obama's 12 victory but more so after his 08 victory, the GOP brain trust realized they were woefully outdone when it came to digital and data readiness. The presidents capabilities on this front was one of the most important tools in his campaign.  He was able to draw record crowds and reach many voters.

See the Democrats have always been known for having a superior ground game so when they added  digital elements to their campaigns, they knew that it would not serve as replacement, but rather as a supplement to the ground game. Data modelling, location based targeting, and voter mapping are tools designed to aide in voter contact not to replace human interaction, which at the end of the day is the most important and effective way of reaching voters.

Republican digital consultants were born from the the losses faced in 08, and the learning curve was slow. Sadly to this day many of them misrepresent the capabilities of how digital and data solutions can help campaigns. The secret in the sauce is simple. Digital outreach in all forms should be used in conjunction with human interaction when possible. It could be display advertising for a location or individual targets preceding a campaign event. Digital and social outreach is most effective when used as an extension of the candidate, not a substitute- there is a difference and the voters can tell. 

So my advice to republican strategists would be to return to the basics. As our motto reads, 'combining traditional methodology with 21st century solutions'. 

I would invite our readers or prospective clients to pick up the phone or shoot us an email to find out what we're all about. Here in Frederick County Maryland, we see things differently from our friends inside the Beltway.