Pittsburgh Company Leverages Social Media to Run Issue Ads During PA Primary

By the time the Republican Primaries rolled into Pennsylvania, much of the national interest had faded. Still, regional campaigns and interest groups spent hundreds of thousands of dollars getting their message out to the people of our State. One interesting twist in the process came from Red Blue Voice, a Pittsburgh-based internet company that used its technology to bridge the gap between everyday citizens, issue outreach and advertising. Red Blue Voice produced crowd-sourced ads that ran in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets on the topics of fracking, union labor and funding for public education.

Red Blue Voice offers an online crowd-sourcing platform for social and political issues that is usable by anyone. Motivated citizens can create television, radio, print or online media to support their cause. Once the media is uploaded, supporters of the issue or group can donate in small amounts to fund the media. When enough money has been collected for a television commercial run, a print ad, or a radio or online spot, Red Blue Voice books and distributes the media. The nonprofit or group is able to get media created, funded and booked without spending a dime of their own money.

According to company founder, Josh Lucas, “It is our intent to give everyday Americans the same tools and reach as the existing political machinery.” By doing so, the company believes that organized communities will be able to affect the tone and conversation occurring during the upcoming election season and beyond.  For example, local supporters of strict regulation of the marcellus shale drilling used redbluevoice.com to run an advertisement on CNN in the Pittsburgh and Philidelphia markets during the primary. “We depend too much on the existing political machinery to advocate for the issues we are passionate about. Too often it takes a rhetorical stance to garner votes but then conveniently forgets to satisfy the needs of its base.” The Company believes that by giving everyday individuals the same media production resources and reach as existing groups the overall health of the democracy will be improved. They expect their tools will have a significantly impact local, regional, and national policy.

Over the next several months, Red Blue Voice will be rolling out robust features that center around issue advocacy. The company is also offering unique and free service to nonprofits to better allow for management of their outreach and media presence.  Several local and national nonprofits have already signed on.To learn more about Red Blue Voice, visit www.RedBlueVoice.com.

Contact Information

Jocelyn Saurini

Director of Marketing

Business

jsaurini@redbluevoice.com