Google’s Apps are Ready to Take on the Government
This week, Google unveiled its government app that is geared toward government agencies. This collection of apps is the first cloud computing app suite to receive the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) certification meaning it is much more convenient for federal agencies to adopt them. The app suite creates a virtual web of communication for use within an agency. All employees will be able to access a synced calender with all events on it, a secure document database so that agency departments can share information as well as video data. Hopefully, this will be a useful integration for government agencies and will therefore increase the efficiency and effectiveness of doing business. Large cities such as Los Angeles have adopted this new platform and many others will soon follow.
Google’s New Edge on Political Campaigns
Google is raising in the bar in political campaigns and social media. Today Google launched new tools for political campaign candidates to better engage the audience. YouTube’s You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit and the Google Campaign Toolkit rolled out today to allow candidates convey their messages to more consumers in a more effective way. They are revolutionizing online campaign efforts and jumping on the social media in politics trend.
You Choose 2010
YouTube’s You Choose 2010 Campaign Toolkit utilizes YouTube’s ability to create different channels for video posts. It includes the YouTube politician channel that is a home base for the candidate. There is a Moderator on YouTube that provides a debating platform for voters to interact with others. There is also a YouTube Insight channel allowing the candidate to see how their videos are doing in popularity as well as reach. YouTube is also providing addition features for those wishing to pay for their campaign toolkit. 
Such features include special promotional powers based on search terms. Consumers can search specific key words and when doing so, you ad will display on the page. If a consumer clicks your ad, you are charged but the advantage is through knowing that the consumer is exposed to relevant information making them more likely to view your ad. The paid toolkit also features call-to-action overlays to drive donations as well as a television ad online option that allows your commercials to air on YouTube and its partners.
Google’s Campaign Toolkit complements YouTube’s toolkit but also adds in the all-encompassing features of Google. Candidates will be able to use Google’s extensive application portfolio to effectively manage their campaigns. Features include:
- Google Adwords to customize the campaign based on consumer searches
- Google Apps to integrate communication into a shareable format for those running the campaign
- Google Maps and Google Earth to help consumers find you
- Google News to stay up-to-date on current events
- Google Analytics to monitor campaign performance
- Insights for Search to learn who is searching and what the are searching for
- Google Web Elements to add your favorite Google products to the campaign website
- Google Moderator to provide a voter debate forum
- Google Alerts to monitor what is going on and to email important news alerts
Political campaigns have already been gaining speed on social media but now that campaign managers can easily integrate all of their social media and online efforts into one system, social media is sure to drastically increase its involvement in the political realm.
Social Media Solutions prides itself on being a “hands on” social media agency. Our team has not only a strong educational background in business development, but also has a multitude of real-world experience in designing successful strategic initiatives for global corporations and small businesses alike. Our staff will partner with your company to ensure the development & implementation of the best social media strategy possible. 
