Web 2.0 comes to the White House

Hot of the press is the newly launched whitehouse.gov, the official White House website.

The new website includes interactive features such as a blog written by Macon Phillips, the Director of New Media for the White House, email alerts and a feedback form. The briefing room includes space for a weekly video address, slide shows, proclamations, executive orders and information on appointments and nominees.

All eyes on Washington

The presidential inauguration is the official day that the President of the United States is sworn into office. The purpose of this inauguration is to honor the incoming president with formal ceremonies, including: a Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony, an Inaugural Address, and an Inaugural Parade.

The inauguration will take place tomorrow on January 20, 2009 in Washington D.C. on the steps of the United States Capitol and will be covered by all the big news channels on DSTV. The swearing-in ceremony starts at 19:00 (Africa time) with the Inaugural Parade starting at 21:30

President-elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office, which states the following:

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

The theme for the inauguration is The Birth of a New Freedom and keeping with the Election 2.0 style the Obama Inauguration already has an impressive website running with blogs, videos, bios etc.

Obama is Red Bull, McCain is Diet Coke

vs

Famous personalities are brands, and the current US presidential candidates are no exception. According to new research by Synovate, John McCain and Barack Obama have more in common than you may think with some of the world’s most recognized brands.

When you think of Diet Coke and Apple, John McCain probably doesn't come to mind but he's similar to both brands in a few important ways. Each has a confidence and straightforwardness to shout about who they are and what they believe in. They don't bother talking about their features or benefits; they simply put themselves out there and expect you to figure out for yourself why you should like them. This is a classic 'me me me' strategy. These brands have chosen something to stand for and invite you to join them in their club with other like-minded folks.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, is more about what he'll do for you than what he's all about. More like Red Bull rather than Diet Coke, he's 'you you you' focused. He believes his policies offer a benefit for you and that's what he's going to shout about. This strategy is outer directed and is the basis of how he's been connecting with voters. Brands that focus on you, instead of me, talk more about the specific benefits they have that will make your life better. With the current economic turmoil in the world, perhaps 'you you you' is a better offer for brands than 'me me me'? To read more of the report, click here.

The Australian journal Perception has also released an article on how well Barack Obama would have faired, had he taken his childhood nickname and mother's surname of Barry Dunham.