Does Privacy Kill the Voter File?
Seems that the tried and true method of reaching voters online – the use of purported targeting using voter registration information – is under fire. And it’s not just one or two little attacks; the hangover from the 2016 election is turning out to be longer than expected. So concerns about individual online privacy, national […]
Beat Targeting
Targeting Alert: One of the key components of online advertising – tracking the behavior of Internet users – is coming under increasing fire. This is good news for publishers across the board but it could be even better news for publishers interested in political ad dollars – if they prepare. Political folks don’t spend a […]
Well Behaved Targeting
Targeting Alert: Just in time for the 2020 Election, a key buying tool in online advertising – tracking the behavior of Internet users – is coming under increasing fire. Political folks don’t spend a lot of time thinking about targeting other than by voter registration information. But voter targeting is a sub-set of “behavioral” targeting […]
Trump’s Tricks: Make ‘em Work For You
By reputable accounts President Donald Trump is spending more than $1 million a month on Facebook advertising in preparation for his re-election bid. He may well be spending more on other platforms. We just don’t know since there are no legally mandated reporting structure for online ad buys for federal elections. The spend and the mystery […]
Facebook (Finally) Exits Politics
It took more than two years, several Congressional hearings, the levying of a multi-billion dollar fine, countless PR missteps and Lord only knows how much Menlo Park navel gazing but Facebook has finally gotten out of the political ads business. In true Facebook style of course, they aren’t saying they’re leaving. No, they’re just saying […]
The Field Levels
It took more than two years, several Congressional hearings, the levying of a multi-billion dollar fine, countless PR missteps and Lord only knows how much Menlo Park navel gazing but Facebook has finally gotten out of the political ads business. In true Facebook style of course, they aren’t saying they’re leaving. No, they’re just saying […]
Lessons From 2018: Campaign Tactics Edition
Yes, we know, it’s 2020 for everyone in politics. But before we rise from our armchairs and really get down in the trenches, let’s take a few minutes to consider how political campaigns have changed. The 2018 cycle was a watershed year for new online and digitally-based tactics that worked surprisingly well. We think last […]
Four Things to Know About Political Advertising
There are big changes underway in the online political ad business. Changes that – for once – can help local outlets. Facebook’s recent decision to financial services and Google’s decision to leave the political ad business in Canada marks a turning point. The Duopoly has dominated local political ad sales since 2016 – two full […]
Why Facebook
Usually in this space at this time of year, Spot-On spends a few minutes to make predictions. But this year, we’re putting that aside. This mess with Facebook and political ads is too overwhelming. And dangerous. Let’s begin with a clarification: Facebook is a fantastic tool for elected officials to reach their constituents, particularly in […]
2018 Election Winner: Programmatic Ad Buying
It may have been overlooked in the lead-up to the 2018 election, but once again Borrell Associates is saying that the bulk of political ad spending occurred on social and programmatic exchanges. “This year, display will make up almost two-fifths of all U.S. digital political ad spending. More than 60 cents of every dollar spent […]
