ORI/GWU Survey Highlights Social Media's Impact On Presidential Election

As Inauguration Approaches, Key Survey Findings Released

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ORI, a market research and strategic business intelligence firm, and The George Washington Graduate School of Political Management presented key findings from their groundbreaking survey, "The 2012 Social Media Election Survey: Key Lessons to Inform Decision-Making in Politics & Business" at The National Press Club on Thursday, January 17.. The event explored social media's significant impact on the 2012 election and its implications for emerging political, business and civic opportunities in 2013.

The non-partisan panel, featuring John Kagia, Director, Strategy & Insight, ORI; Dr. David Rehr, Professor, GSPM; Nate Daschle, CEO Ruckus, Jonathan Collegio, Communications Director for Crossroads GPS; and Matthew Gagnon, Director of Digital Strategy, Republican Governors Association, will explore the findings. The research questions include:

    --  How influential social media was in shaping the opinions of the
        candidates and issues;
    --  If the quality of information about the candidates and issues on social
        media was the same, better, or worse than that from traditional media.
    --  Who and how individuals participated in a political discussion with
        others in their social networks and if they displayed their political
        affiliation on their networks.

"Social media played a pivotal role in the 2012 election," said Kagia. "This survey reveals social media's central role in the national political discourse, and its power in informing and shaping public perceptions." "The election was just another example of how deeply social media has permeated all aspects of our lives, and underscores why it's so vital for decision-makers to understand how these tools are influencing consumer behavior," said Dr. David Rehr of GSPM.