Comments on: DA invites bloggers to Social Media unveiling

By: Global Voices Online » South Africa: The Democratic Alliance and Politics 2.0

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:03:56 +0000

[...] South African blogger Justin Hartman who was invited to the launching of DA social media strategy wrote: Both the new DA and Contribute to Change websites are built off open source technology, [...]

By: JP

JP — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:56:34 +0000

It is a real pity that they have not applied for the DA.mobi domain.

The main registry mTLD is giving these away to worthy applicants. I have written to the DA to make them aware of this, but have had no response from them.

.mobi is set to become the default domain extension for the mobile web.

By: Ants World

Ants World — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:55:39 +0000

[...] volunteers. A number of people have blogged about it, and I’d say the verdict is, on balance, positive. However, some of the negative commentary has generated some [...]

By: The DA’s social media strategy « Ant’s World

The DA’s social media strategy « Ant’s World — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:20:07 +0000

[...] volunteers. A number of people have blogged about it, and I’d say the verdict is, on balance, positive. However, some of the negative commentary has generated some [...]

By: What are we voting for? Please tell us. | OutThink

What are we voting for? Please tell us. | OutThink — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:22:38 +0000

[...] DA invites bloggers to social media unveiling [Justin Hartman] [...]

By: DA, gurus and the online circus | FeistyFemale

DA, gurus and the online circus | FeistyFemale — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:15:13 +0000

[...] Bearing the context of the upcoming election in mind – I don’t think the focus of websites and social media is what will win an election in this country. These sites are tools to mostly disseminate information and act as information portals and secondly to engage a portion of the population. [...]

By: » Politically Speaking

» Politically Speaking — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 07:38:31 +0000

[...] influence cannot be ignored, not even in South Africa, thus I am not surprised that Helen Zille is reported as saying that the DA plans to engage voters and involve them in their campaigns through social [...]

By: Gareth

Gareth — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:58:25 +0000

This election needs some innovation, so I am glad the DA has launched its contributetochange site – a first for SA. Let’s see how it goes.

By: Jono

Jono — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:16:40 +0000

Well said Richard, I could not agree with you more.

As for all these cries of “copy cat” – get over it people. There’s so little authenticity in the world these days – and there’s nothing wrong with borrowing from what’s worked for others. Why reinvent the wheel?

Jarred, I think you are selling South Africa short by implying that this approach is out of touch. I am sure that the DA will be using all the traditional channels in addition to an online strategy to ensure that as many people as possible are informed and updated.

By: imod

imod — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:44:57 +0000

[...] I met up with Justin, who’s covered the entire event, so if you’re interested in reading more, click here. [...]

By: Fred Roed

Fred Roed — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:36:29 +0000

Thanks for the link and kudos!

It must be said that the DA team acknowledged that the digital part of their strategy was, in part, too progressive for a broad SA audience, but then they are looking after a very diverse following – more so than opposing parties.

The various elements within their overall strategy have to cater for very different demographic profiles – and I commend the DA for trying not to alienate any of them.

For example, I think the social networking stuff may not be as pervasive with the broader populace, but they’re looking after a niche group that can become very important and vocal ambassadors for the party. With regards to the lower income groups, that’s where the canvassing, advertising and mobile strategy comes in.

Personally (although I’m obviously a little biased), I think they’re bang on with their approach.

The question they asked is: “Can we afford NOT to be progressive?”

As for the influence from Obama, it would be dumb not to take some inspiration from the most successful digital marketing campaign in history. But as Coetzee said yesterday, there are some innovations that they’re rolling out to build upon Obama’s example.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:37:09 +0000

Nice whinge Jared. I guess it is disappointing that the DA choose to take a leaf out of the book of Barack Obama, the first non-white, post-racial president of the USA. God forbid that South Africans should copy excellence.
And then there’s the politics of the DA, the only party to offer a fully costed manifesto complemented with detailed policy proposals for how they would run South Africa. All underpinned by a consistent vision which they call the open opportunity society for all. But I guess to know that you’d actually have to join their social whinging site and inform yourself…

By: The DA's use of Social Media | Are they just Ads or is it really social? | Moral Fibre

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:24:02 +0000

[...] http://justinhartman.com/2009/02/19/da-invites-bloggers-to-social-media-unveiling/ [...]

By: gmk

gmk — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:52:01 +0000

They need to tighten up[ on what can be registered – i just registered votfortheanc as a domina on their site.

By: Kat

Kat — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:35:41 +0000

Nice report back, thank you. I would LOVE to sit on a team discussing how mobile could be used.

We interviewed Anthony a year ago, and the impression I got was that he was definitely doing what he could to learn about the possibilities.. while the site might be modeled after an Obama approach, I’m happy to see it launch – as long as they use and take note of the feedback they get..

By: Ryan Coetzee

Ryan Coetzee — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:52:26 +0000

Jarred, neither website will be a forum for whinging. Have a look at our manifesto (on the da.org.za site). I trust you’ll find it a value-driven and coherent policy platform for our country.

By: I was invited to the Democratic Alliance social media launch campaign | iMod

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:19:19 +0000

[...] I met up with Justin, who’s covered the entire event, so if you’re interested in reading more, click here. [...]

By: Chris M

Chris M — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:04:02 +0000

Was a great event, nice to see you again bud!

By: kilps

kilps — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:39:31 +0000

It’s a great initiative – but I still am pretty frustrated that @helenzille on twitter (http://twitter.com/helenzille) never seems to reply to questions … it can’t be a one way conversation

By: Justin Hartman

Justin Hartman — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:00:40 +0000

Jarred I have similar concerns. It’s Obama repackaged to some extent however I am really interested to see what they do with Mobile now.

Ryan Coetzee highlighted that these sites are just another communication tool and extend their current strategy but in the next five years they want to focus more of their efforts on their mobile penetration.

This, as you will know, is no easy feat and if they get it right then I need to sit with their team for some tips.