Sue Thomas

Obama used social media as a vital tool in reaching huge audiences

Barack Obama has taught the world a lesson in the use of social networks. This former community organiser already knew how to connect with many different cultures and communities, then he combined that knowledge with an understanding of social media, and his reach became huge (thanks also to a large and skilfull team). Now we can learn from his success and apply his methods to our own projects. More on this in Read/Write/Web's Obama's Social Media Advantage

x-posted here

Congratulations Barack Obama

It's around 4.30am here in the UK and I'm watching CNN waiting for Obama to speak in Chicago. A few minutes ago I did what I always do at momentous times - I went outside and looked up at the sky to get a feel for how the world is now. In this city, where natural rhythms are often disrupted, birds sing all night and tonight is no different - they are out there loud and clear.

I was 16 when Martin Luther King was assassinated and I never dreamed I would see a day such as this in my lifetime.  I'm so happy that I'll be in the US on 20th January to celebrate this most important inauguration.

Obama faces a daunting task, but he harnessed social networks to mobilise a community to vote, and he will also be able to use the same methods to lever much-needed invigoration and renewal. For those of us who work in social media, this is a fantastic opportunity to find even more and better ways to use it for the benefit of everyone. A wonderful and joyous night.

Obama for President

 All my hopes are with Barack Obama to win the Presidential race on Tuesday. I do feel a lot of sympathy for Hillary Clinton, because of course one of the reasons the US can now contemplate a black President at all is that the Clintons worked so hard to change the culture and enable such a thing to happen. It's just very tough that their efforts bore fruit just at the moment when Hillary's own opportunity to get to the White House arrived.  So I'm sad for her, but very very happy for the USA that they are about to elect someone as significant and impressive as Barack Obama. I'm a UK citizen so of course cannot vote in this election, but I really wish I could, because I am so fascinated by this momentous decision and hope upon hope that America will make the right choice.