Provident Partners news

Provident Partners’ Albert Maruggi, who, once upon a time, served as the press secretary for the Republican National Committee, has written an article for Media Bullseye about how the McCain and Obama campaigns are using social media in the run-up to the November election. Media Bullseye provides media, public relations, and marketing professionals with news and commentary about the modern communications landscape.

A taste of the article:

Republicans have always prided themselves on organization, game plan and execution, similar to a well-run football team. There are set plays, and everyone knows where they are supposed to be - improvisation accepted only if the play breaks down. The Democratic Party brand includes activism and individualism, more like a basketball team. In general there is a plan, but for the most part, basketball is a reaction to the flow of the individual with the ball.

Today, in many respects, the pace and format of how Republicans and Democrats use social media tools is a reflection of their organizational cultures. You can see this in the general presentation of the candidates’ and political parties’ home pages.

You can read the full article here. Also, if you want to chat about how your organization can use social media to mobilize a community and reach new people — or if you just want to talk politics — give us a call. 651-695-0174.

Our very own founder and president Albert Maruggi, who back in the day served as press secretary for the RNC and presidential cabinet members, will lead a discussion on how social media communication is affecting politics and political campaigns.

Albert is one of many presenters taking part in My ooVoo Day Political Edition, which the organizers describe as “an eight day online video conferencing event joining leading political bloggers covering the entire spectrum of belief and persuasion with their communities, fans and friends.”

These days, Albert spends most of his time working on public relations and social media consulting for businesses, but he can’t help himself from jumping back into the political realm from time to time. For a few of his thoughts on issues related to politics and communication, see these posts from his Marketing Edge Blog and Podcast.

Pioneer Press technology reporter Julio Ojeda-Zapata writes in a recent article that we’re in the midst of a “’social media’ revolution that has begun to change how civic and political groups — like the St. Paul-based team responsible for Republican convention planning — are using the Internet to publicize their causes.”

In the article, Provident Partners’ founder and president Albert Maruggi — also a former RNC press secretary — shares some of his insights on the convention organizers’ use of new Web communication methods. From the article:

“There has been a heated debate within Republican circles about social media,” [Maruggi] said. “I don’t think they jumped on it soon enough. What has worked in Republican politics has been more of a hierarchical structure.

“But little by little they’re starting to realize that this is about your own volunteers embracing your own brand,” he added. “You don’t worry too much that someone will get the talking points wrong. You want to see energy.”

Read the full article here.