For Interest
Phil
----------------------------------------
Dr. Phil Harris
Centre for Corporate and Public Affairs
Business School
Manchester Metropolitan University
Aytoun Building, Aytoun Street
Manchester M1 3GH
England, UK.
Tel: 44 (0) 161 247 3727
Fax: 44 (0) 161 247 6861
Email: [log in to unmask]
Curriculum Vitae:
www.man-bus.mmu.ac.uk/ccpa/harrisp.htm
Academy of Marketing:
www.academyofmarketing.com
Journal of Public Affairs:
www.henrystewart.co.uk/journals/hspindex.htm?jpa/index.html~mainFrame
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Cain [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 12:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: VoxPolitics News Alert, 9 May 2001
VoxPolitics News Alert
-Tracking the online campaign
Issue 4, 9 May 2001
*News analysis: PHONEY SPAM
By James Crabtree and Tom Steinberg
The Times reported yesterday that Labour had accused the Tory's of using
'dirty tricks' in their email campaign. But on closer examination it seems
the story was more likely to have arisen from a misunderstanding rather than
a Machiavellian scheme.
According to the article, the Labour Party said the Tories had 'Spammed'
unsuspecting surfers with unsolicited email in the name of the Labour party.
This "hard sell" technique, explained the article, "was pioneered in the
United States".
But, reading on, it appears the emails Labour complained of were not
actually Spam in the true sense of the word. In fact, the offending email
seems to have been a joke email about Tony Blair sent to people who had
given their email addresses to the Tories.
So instead of being Spam, it seems it was a perfectly legitimate Tory
message that confused the recipient into thinking it was from the Labour
party because of its 'humorous' description as a "Message From Labour".
One might think the 'Keep the Pound with the Conservatives' slogan combined
with the rampantly anti-Blair message might have given an adequate that it
was not actually a Labour production.
So, it seems The Times was some way short of breaking news of the first
online scandal of the online election campaign.
To read the story visit:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,10-126188,00.html
*News in brief:
NEW LABOUR SITE: All three political parties have now added election
campaign feature to their site. But, unsurprisingly, the Labour Party
(http://www.labour.org.uk) got there first, overhauling their site over the
weekend. The results are described as an extensive redesign and the
addition of new features". Additions include an interactive map and postcode
search to see what has been achieved in your region and the ability to
access the site using hand-held devices.
LIGHTS.. CAMERA.. NET CONNECTION.. : Howard Dawber, scion of YouGov.com and
Labour PPC, has nailed what we believe to be a UK first. The "first online
party political broadcast" is little more than a five minute piece of video,
but it's worth a look if you have the time or the bandwidth.
http://www.cheadlelabour.org.uk/
LIBDEMS HAND IN E-PETITION: The LibDems yesterday delivered a petition
against Tube privatisation bearing 1,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street.
Though handed in on paper, half of the petition's 'signatures' were made the
SaveTheTube web site (http://www.savethetube.org). Insiders admitted to
being a little concerned that Tony Blair's business at the Palace may have
meant there was nobody in to receive the document.
TACTICAL RELAUNCH: Vote swapping web site Tactical Voter
(http://www.tacticalvoter.net) launched today - again. But when we checked
the site there were no new additions, which would suggest that it may be a
publicity gimmick - something the VoxPolitics would not indulge in, because
as it is freshly launched every day,
ELECTION BOOST FOR SPREAD BETTING
Evening Standard, 9 May
Bookmakers specialising in spread betting are looking forward to a
record-breaking General Election, with some City punters likely to gamble
more than £1,000 per seat on the result.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/business_story.html?in_review_id=
389332&in_review_text_id=335496
For and earlier report see:
POLITICAL CHANCERS MAY LOOK FOR KICKS ONLINE
By Phil Cain, VoxPolitics 26 April
http://www.voxpolitics.com/news/voxpub/story231.shtml
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Copyright 2001 VoxPolitics
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