360DigitalInfluence

Today is OneWebDay and today we’re taking a look at this year’s theme (participatory democracy online) through the lens of Ogilvy’s Paris office.   I recently spoke with Laetitia Attali, 360 ° Digital Influence Account Director in OgilvyPR Worldwide’s Paris office for her thoughts on how the web has shaped politics in her neck of the woods.

Laetitia pointed me to last year’s presidential election when Nicolas Sarkozy defeated Ségolène Royal and suggested that both candidates were effective in using social media, specifically to encourage voter participation.   Luckily, I was able to dig up the Sarkozy Campaign Web site from year last.   Using Google’s nifty translate tool, I was able to get a sense for last year’s campaign, the major issues, and what was on the mind of the common voter.

Head over to the site in English or in French to take a look for yourself.

The video Q&A seems to be one of the most notable features that really touches on OneWebDay’s ‘participation’ theme.   Here’s the somewhat rough translation from a visitor who asked Sarkozy about the role of the Internet in campaigns.

(Link to clip, I wish the site provided the embed code)
12-01-07
Question: For the first time Internet should play an important role in your campaign, are you prepared?

Nicolas Sarkozy:
Yes, I am. The Internet is not simply a technique is a new concept of society.   All information will be available on all the territory for everyone at the same time.   It is a formidable instrument of democratization.

I want to convince, I want to seek voters one by one, get in contact with France and passion for a new debate.   With the Internet, I can reach more people is a way for me to engage in dialogue.

Head over to OneWebDay to take part in today’s discussion and to stay up to date with new issues effecting the freedom of the Web for next year’s event.