The NDP are smart.

They get how the new media world of campaigning will be. Jack Layton quotes Obama in his speeches, and has gone to school on Barack’s approach to new media.

The latest? Buying links on keywords for the other political parties on Google.

Brilliant.

Look up Stephen Harper in Google and you’ll get Jack’s sponsored link popping up right at the top

“Don’t Trust Harper?
JackLayton.ca It’s time for a PM who’ll put you and your family first. Donate now.”

Same for Stephane Dion and others. The NDP have made online marketing a significant part of the campaign, after their Facebook group to rally against text message fees was received so well.

Nammi Poorooshasb is the NDP’s online campaign director and admits they’ve been paying attention to Obama’s new media style of campaigning

“We’ve been taking the best from all of them. They know that this is one of the places that people go to search for information, to get the latest news, to entertain themselves. Whatever it is, people are going there and we want to occupy that space as well.”
[Marketing Magazine]

The “Donate Now” at the end of the Google Ad frosts some people, but just the idea that the NDP is realizing new and innovative ways to spread the message is heartening.

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?

Tags: 2008 canadian election, geek, news, politics