A press release didn’t go out, but team Bentley definitely made a statement with the release of the Administration’s brand new website late last week. Gone is the lumbering old website with little functionality, replaced by a slick platform with tons of multimedia capabilities and easy access to information.
The launch of the governor’s new site compelled Yellowhammer to take a look around at what other state leaders are doing online.
Here’s what we found:
Governor Robert Bentley
URL: governor.alabama.gov
Stats
Facebook “likes” — 13,847
Twitter followers — 16,704
How he’s using his online platforms:
The governor’s website appears to be becoming something of an information hub for the administration.
Public information, including the governor’s flight logs and spending reports, is readily available on the site for individuals interested in digging into the inner-workings of state government.
A steady stream of press releases populate the “Newsroom” section. A “Photo stream” section, which is tied to the governor’s Flickr account, offers an opportunity to share hi-res images from his travels around the state. This section is especially useful during stops on Bentley’s “Road to Economic Recovery” tour, during which he cultivates his “man of the people” persona.
One of the focuses of any quality online political operation is data collection. Bentley’s new site encourages site visitors to “stay up to date” by signing up for the governor’s e-newsletter.
The three most recent videos on the governor’s website are well over a year old. Considering the video section of his new site is prominently displayed, it will be worth watching to see if he uses video more regularly to communicate his message moving forward.
On the social sites, Bentley has the largest following of any politician in the state. Staffers frequently snap cell phone pictures of the governor in action and upload them to his Facebook and Twitter pages. Both platforms are also used to disseminate press releases to the public, effectively end-running the media to take the message straight to the people.
Bentley and other members of his administration use the hashtag #R2ER to tag tweets sent from the governor’s “Read to Economic Recovery” tour.
“This is about sharing useful information in a more timely, efficient manner,” Jennifer Ardis, Bentley’s press secretary, told Yellowhammer.
Just finished our first stop today on the #R2ER Tour of Wilcox County with a tour of Golden Dragon Copper. pic.twitter.com/70lLovZ6Em
— Gov. Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) August 29, 2013
Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey
URL: ltgov.alabama.gov
Stats
Facebook “likes” — 5,092
Twitter followers — 3,167
How she’s using her online platforms:
The “latest news” section of Lt. Gov. Ivey’s website, which contains links to press releases, is by far the most frequently updated section of the site. Other areas of the site include a section where the lt. gov. posts a monthly column, a general information area with background information on Ivey, the state senate and past lt. governors, and links with the lt. governor’s thoughts on her three focus areas: improving state government, economic development and government transparency.
Ivey’s Twitter account provides a steady stream of links, short statements on current events and pictures. Her Facebook is sporadically updated with the same.
My latest column: A new law expands benefits for military; an Alabama soldier thanks the Legislature for its passage. http://t.co/ykctIChbQs
— Kay Ivey (@LtGovIvey) August 27, 2013
Attorney General Luther Strange
URL: LutherStrange.com
Stats
Facebook “likes” — 4,316
Twitter followers — 3,156
How he’s using his online platforms:
Big Luther has a reputation as a relentless fundraiser, and it only takes one click on his campaign site to see why. “Join Luther in the fight for freedom,” a popup proclaims when you visit his site, along with links to make a donation of $25, $35 or $50.
Strange is the only one of the state’s top elected leaders to use an online grassroots organizational tool called NationBuilder. NationBuilder was founded by Jim Gillian, a leftwing documentary film maker whose company has since been used by candidates on both sides of the aisle — from Cory Booker to Newt Gingrich — to “community organize” online.
Although there are “press release” and “blog” sections on Strange’s site, they are only update about once a month. The main focus is on collecting email addresses so they can communicate with voters at will.
Strange’s Facebook is used almost exclusively to post links to press releases, but pictures and an occasional link to an article are mixed in as well. His Twitter account is updated more frequently, but still focuses mainly on linking to prepared statements.
Gary Palmer of @AlabamaPolicy and I addressed Sen Dick Durban's letter regarding "stand your ground" legislation. http://t.co/8F8GUWjIAL
— Luther Strange (@lutherstrange) August 22, 2013
House Speaker Mike Hubbard
URL: MikeHubbard.com
Stats
Facebook “likes” — 11,754
Twitter followers — 3,754
How he’s using his online platforms:
While the rest of the elected officials mentioned above are able to focus on communicating their message exclusively to a statewide audience, Hubbard has to communicate both statewide in his role as Speaker of the House, and to constituents in his Lee County legislative district. As a result, his website contains blog posts aimed at both audiences.
Hubbard uses his social sites most often to post links to articles, but he’s the only one of the officials covered in this article who also frequently posts pictures of his family. Pictures of his kids on Facebook get by far the most interaction of any of his posts. He’s also the only official covered here who frequently retweets other accounts on Twitter, including House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh, former Flordia Goveror Jeb Bush and State Sen. Tom Whatley, to name a few.
The Speaker occasionally live tweets events, including the presidential debates last year, during which he delivered a steady flow of critiques of the president and debate moderators.
Candy Crowley: part-time debate moderator, full-time Obama defender. #debates
— Mike Hubbard (@SpeakerHubbard) October 17, 2012
In addition to his personal platforms, Hubbard’s team also runs the online operation for the House Republican Caucus. ALHouseGOP.com was used during the legislative session to track the progress of the GOP’s “We Dare Defend Our Rights” agenda. They’re currently promoting a petition seeking signatures in support of the right to public prayer, and in the past have used the site to gather ideas from the public to help formulate their legislative agenda.
“Digital communication is a great way to keep folks informed about what’s going on in the State House when they can’t be here in person,” Hubbard’s communications director, Rachel Adams, told Yellowhammer. “Speaker Hubbard uses his website, Facebook, and Twitter to relay information of importance to his constituents in Lee County and the rest of Alabama on issues that affect their everyday lives.”
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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