Candidates Not Using The Internet Will Miss Out On Votes

“Council candidates not constantly communicating via the internet will potentially miss out on crucial votes in the coming ‘Super City’ elections,” says Cameron Brewer, a former political press secretary who’s now campaigning to be a politician himself.

“There used to be a view that spending money on the likes of websites was a waste of money, but how times have changed,” says the 37-year-old who’s standing to be councillor for Auckland’s new Orakei ward.

“For Auckland’s upcoming local body elections, more people will be voting, more voters will be computer savvy, and many will expect a high level of instant information and interaction. This will be no standard age-old municipal election. This will be second only to a general election.

“Prime Minister John Key understands the need to constantly communicate via blogcasts, Facebook and Twitter. However I suspect a lot of Auckland candidates remain very dismissive of using the technology freely available. Such an attitude will only cost them votes in this election.

“In 2010 voters will have certain expectations as to how candidates should be communicating, and they’ll make a judgment on that.”

Mr Brewer says since he launched his website www.cameronbrewer.co.nz on 16 July, he has since had a few thousand hits. The website also links through to his Twitter site and a Facebook fan page.

“On my website, I’m blogging and tweeting every day, so people know what I’m up to and where my thoughts are. Having a website and blog, and being on the likes of Twitter and Facebook enables me to have two-way dialogue with people no matter where I am and what time of day it is.”

“Social media in election campaigns has become an important communications channel along with traditional advertising avenues and the news media.”

Cameron Brewer, who has worked for political leaders Dame Jenny Shipley, Auckland Mayor John Banks, and Rodney Hide, says things have changed dramatically in the past decade.

“In the late 1990s we were still bulk faxing out media releases and campaign newsletters.”

Mr Brewer says candidates must not limit their campaigning to the internet. He says most of his campaigning time is spent doing traditional things such as door knocking, handing out cards, visiting businesses, and talking to people in the street.

“I am a strong believer in getting out and about and meeting the local people and organisations firsthand. However that alone is not good enough in 2010. Sure you have to wear out the shoe leather but you also have to wear out your mouse,” says Cameron Brewer.

Ends

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