News and media organizations have always sought political candidates to make speeches, answer special questions, and be special guests for mutual benefit. But an interest twist is taking place in what is quickly becoming the new media - that is, a new kind of media that is unexpected and unabashedly exciting at the same time:
(Source) How do you make sure your company is fondly remembered by the next president of the United States of America? Simple; invite them to the Googleplex, make them feel very special, and give them free lunch and M&Ms.
Andy Beal admits he’s being flip. But check this out, all the hip candidates are making an appearance at the Googleplex - or those who want voters to think they’re hip: The two Johns, Hillary, Bill Richards (the least likely Democrat to win), and Ron Paul (OK, Ron Paul is hip). But notice that every one of these candidates are in desperate straights. With the exception of Hillary Clinton, they’re all long shots and even then she’s not looking too promising. She has flaws and a strong contender who hasn’t appeared at the Googleplex and can probably win even if he doesn’t. Despite Google playing the role of traditional news and media, none of these candidates will likely win their party’s nomination.
However, that doesn’t mean the new media strategy they are using isn’t a valid one. YouTube will likely be a major part of elections in the future, as will Google, the proud owner of the video sharing website. I think you are likely to see video campaign wars in the future and that’s why Google and its employees are so interested in having the candidates appear at their co-ed dorm room for some wet bikini slurping (alright, now I’m being flip).
Google’s YouTube is a little bit different than the YouTube of two years ago. The new series @GoogleTalk features candidates and authors in discussions with Google employees. This is obviously to promote YouTube as the place to be to get the low down on the latest political and literary gossip. Expect more of this promotion of itself a la Rupert Murdoch style.
Aside from the fact that Google almost owns the Internet, and for the most part controls who is successful at being noticed online, there is no reason for the employees of Google to be privileged enough to get special attention from political candidates. Few other companies in the world play host to candidates running for office. News and media companies like CNN, Fox, etc. are usually the ones who get that privilege because they are responsible for ensuring that candidates connect with voters through their media. Now, Google has that opportunity and I must say they are taking that responsibility in full tilt. The future belongs to Google and YouTube. The question is, will they squander it as traditional news and media have done?
