EDWARDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NEXT STEP IN MOBILE ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, the John Edwards for President campaign announced the launch of the next step in its mobile engagement campaign - a new text message fundraising initiative. The Edwards campaign continues lead the field by using new and different technologies to reach out to, connect with and engage voters. Today, thousands of people who have signed up to stay in touch with the campaign through text messages will get a message directing them to a voicemail message from John Edwards, urging them to make a contribution to the campaign. The script of the voicemail follows:
"Hi, this is John Edwards. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our text and listen to my message. If you want to skip this message, remember, you can press 1 at anytime to be directly connected to a live volunteer at campaign headquarters. I'm calling to remind you that with just over a week before the end of the quarter the time to act is now. I'm not asking you to help us out-raise everyone else. I'm only asking you for what we need to get our message of real change out to voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and other key states nationwide. If we can raise enough money to do that—we'll have what we need to win.
"Our phone banks will be open until 10pm EDT tonight so if you can make a contribution now please press 1 to be connected. If you're in the middle of something and can't stay on the line you can always go to johnedwards.com to make a contribution to the campaign anytime. Thanks for your support and for joining this movement for change”
The John Edwards for President campaign has been using text messages to connect with supporters for months. Supporters regularly receive messages to let them know about national events – like Democratic presidential debates – and when Edwards will be in their area. During the last debate, the campaign asked supporters to text their thoughts and reactions and later featured the messages on johnedwards.com. Upcoming plans for more advanced forms of mobile outreach will transform text message communications from one-way broadcasts to a truly interactive experience that will allow voters to connect with the campaign in new and different ways.
"New media technology is transforming the political landscape and allowing voters to take their politics with them every day, not just on Election Day," said campaign spokesperson Colleen Murray. "John Edwards is committed to using as many innovative ways as possible to reach out to the America people about his message for bold, transformational change. This is only the beginning of how new media technologies will be integrated into the campaign."
Earlier this week, the Edwards campaign launched the ‘Demand and Be Heard’ competition through Eventful.com, where Edwards will visit and speak in the city that ‘Demands’ him the most. Demanders can also submit questions online for Edwards as part of the competition, and Edwards will answer ten of those questions from the winning city at the rally.
To join the Edwards mobile network text the word "TODAY" to 30644 or visit http://www.johnedwards.com/txt.
