Chris Talbot: Why Jamby iPad contest is wrong

MANILA - Chris Talbot, founder of Talbot Digital, believes offering iPads and other incentives to build online engagement for electoral candidates in the May 2013 polls is the wrong way to mount a digital campaign.

Talbot, who helped in US President Barack Obama's campaign in 2008, said senatorial bet Jamby Madrigal's online contest that offered an iPad for Facebook likes is an example of the trial and error mentality of social media in the Philippines right now.

"The intent is right. The intent is to generate more support and more energy from new supporters to build your base but the apple and carrot is the wrong way to do it. Whatever that incentive is...," he said.

Talbot said social media is an untapped resource that could help electoral candidates in the Philippines gain more votes. He said that with 1 out of 3 Filipinos already connected to the Internet, there is a greater chance for candidates to reach out to voters.

He urged candidates to start a conversation with voters and produce content that can be done multi-platform.

"I think it is going to be a game-changer very soon. I see it as a fairly untapped resource here in the Philippines. In politics, we talk about leaving no stone unturned...," he said.

"At some point, you are going to see one national campaign turn it on and that will be the new blueprint for campaign using social media," he added.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

LP bet in hot water over online contest

A senatorial candidate of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) slate is now under investigation for possible illegal campaign activities.

Commission on Elections Chairman Atty Sixto Brillantes said the candidate has been using social media accounts in Twitter and Facebook to give away prizes to lure voters.

"May pa contest, pag nanalo bibigyan ka ng iPad," he said.

The Comelec chairman refused to name the candidate and merely hopes that his pronouncement will serve as a warning.

"It will fall under illegal campaigning. Pwedeng pwede sya madisqualify," he said.

The game, he said, is a fill-in-the-blank type of contest where the voters would simply add a statement to the online question of "corruption is bad because...?"

This is similar to a promo posted on senatorial candidate Jamby Madrigal's Twitter account.

The promo, which was removed from Madrigal's official Facebook account as of 4 pm Tuesday, said a person can win a free iPad if they like Jamby's Facebook fan page and then complete the sentence "Corruption is bad because..."

Speaking to ANC, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez confirmed receiving that the poll body's social media monitoring team received the image about the online contest but would not confirm if it was the same one being referred to by Brillantes.

Asked if the promo violates Comelec rules, he said: "Well it's not the vote for me aspect that would be problematic with this particular image. It's the idea that a contest or game is being staged in support of the candidate. Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is wrong to stage contests that will offer prizes to support a candidate. That is what this ad is purporting to do."

He said the contest is attached to a "fan page which is being maintained by the candidate."

Brillantes said the poll body is now studying the possibility of filing charges against the candidate.

source: abs-cbnnews.com