We really enjoy breaking the number one rule of social conversation. Around the DMA office, we talk politics all the time. Even with views that span the entire ideological spectrum, we’re able to continue these debates because we’re (mostly) civil and (sometimes) good listeners.

While none of us are policy experts, we do know a thing or two about marketing. So, on this eve of the South Carolina primary (and before any more candidates drop out), we felt it was the perfect time to let these two worlds collide and present our PRESIDENTIAL MARKETING SMACKDOWN! We’ve chimed in on President Obama’s skilled use of social media before, and we wanted to see how this cycle’s candidates are faring in that marketing arena and beyond.

We perused and reviewed the marketing assets of each of the Presidential candidates remaining in the race, donning our oft-worn marketing hats rather than our political ones. Remaining politically unbiased, we judged their marketing communications in the categories outlined in the chart below. We awarded a winner in each category and then an overall winner who, in our opinion, is the best marketer of the pack. Our reasons are summarized below the graphic. (more…)