What I Learned from 16 months Running Rand Paul Digital

I remember being so nervous the first time I met Senator Rand Paul after being hired on his campaign to run digital operations. An hour later though, as I walked out of the meeting, I was more excited than ever. Here was a candidate who wanted to run a different kind of campaign and who…

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Snapchat’s GOP Debate Recap Hooked Millions Of Post-TV Millennials

By Kerry Flynn Fox News’ two-hour GOP debate was the most-watched primary debate in history, according to Nielsen, with more than 10 million viewers tuned in. But off-screen, many more witnessed Donald Trump sparring with host Megyn Kelly and other highlights, as well as behind-the-scenes action. Snapchat, the popular photo- and video-sharing app known for its millennial hook, drew in millions of more…

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The Political Ad Wars Come to Snapchat

A new political ad unit has arrived ahead of the Republican candidates’ debate: the Snapchat filter. As users in Ohio log into Snapchat and swipe on photographs and videos to add a filter, a bold, orange option, proclaiming “How I Feel About the Bad Iran Deal,” will sit among more colorful Ohio and Cleveland city…

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The Debate Press Release Is Dead. Long Live the Hashtag.

Vincent Harris, Rand Paul’s chief digital strategist, has a message for political reporters tweeting and writing about the first debate of the 2016 Republican campaign this week: “We’re targeting you—directly.” With so many reporters expected to keep one eye on stage and another glued to TweetDeck, political campaigns are getting more creative about shaping the…

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