Today, a recent Supreme Court ruling (HERE) paved the way to lift the ban on Corporations making independent campaign expenditures for political advertising in books, films and other media. Regardless of how you stand on the issue, for us in the mobile world, this can provide an additional opportunity to [...]]]>

Mr. Franklin Goes to Washington

Today, a recent Supreme Court ruling (HERE) paved the way to lift the ban on Corporations making independent campaign expenditures for political advertising in books, films and other media. Regardless of how you stand on the issue, for us in the mobile world, this can provide an additional opportunity to create great gains and showcase the value of mobile.

A recent AdWeek article (HERE) suggested that political advertising will hit $3.3 billion in 2010, an 11 percent increase over 2008. Broadcast TV will reap the lion’s share at $2.2 billion (or 67 percent of the total), with $2 billion going to local TV, $150 million to cable and $50 million to network TV. Direct mail will get $650 million (or 20 percent of the ad spend), followed by radio at $250 million (or 8 percent) and newspaper at $95 million (or 3 percent). Outdoor and the Internet are forecast to reach $55 million and $50 million, respectively.

Now, while it may seem paltry, mobile (SMS, WAP and APP) can be used to bridge all of those expenditures together and will probably account for a portion of the estimated $55 million in internet advertising. While it is amazing that a venue like direct mail will get $650 million in an era where “green is king”, mobile is slowing showing that it is more than just a tool for selecting the best American Idol, it can be a tool for getting the message out while reducing waste.

I love technology. Love, love, love. Gadgets, computers, phones, all of it. If it has electrons powering its innards, I’m probably going to like it.

Yet, this video chills me to the core. Probably not for [...]]]> **This post is courtesy of Brian Leubitz and was original posted on Calitics entitled “In Which I Am a Luddite”

I love technology. Love, love, love. Gadgets, computers, phones, all of it. If it has electrons powering its innards, I’m probably going to like it.

Yet, this video chills me to the core. Probably not for its technological aspects so much as for what it portends. In it, a company called VeraFirma shows off its method of signing petitions via the iPhone. In the abstract and in principle, it’s a pretty neat idea.  Verafirma has done a bunch of research, and thinks these signatures should be valid. Sec. of State Bowen has not yet commented on the issue, so nobody knows for sure.

However, one thing that is certain? If this method of signing a petition is upheld, the current requirements for getting something on the ballot are far too low.  If this method is allowed, we will see a free for all of initiatives over the next few years until we finally do something about the initiative system.  Think you’ve seen a lot of parental notification measures? Expect them on every ballot. Likewise for marriage equality and other gay rights issues.  As soon as marriage equality passes, the LGBT community will be expected to defend that right at every election. The labor movement will see constant ballot attacks, as will consumers.

In fact, where this is getting its first go? Well, with an initiative to ban public employee unions from using dues money for politics. The measure is being pushed by the state’s many right-wing anti-tax “tea party” fringe. It is certainly an interesting choice for a company that is run by three Democrats with a history in state politics. Most notably, Jude Barry became very prominent with his role in the Dean campaign, and then ran Steve Westly’s 2006 campaign for governor.

Sure, there will be some progressive measures, but a system that lessens the cost of ballot access to something any two-bit organization with an email list can accomplish? Well, let’s face it folks, we’re not Athens, we’re too big, we have far too many voters for us all to properly consider each issue.  We can’t handle that much direct democracy.

I love the spirit of innovation, and the excitement that future holds. Yet, we must also look at the bigger questions of why and why now?

- Brian Leubitz is a recovering attorney, and just completed his master’s degree in public policy at the Goldman School of Public policy at UC-Berkeley.