New media presence at the DNC

The election will be in the air until November 4th, but one thing is already clear about this election cycle: new media is here to stay. Associated Content Producers, this means you! It is an exciting time to be a citizen journalist or a blogger, and it is certainly a hot topic among more traditional media types. From our own CPs who are creating content for us about the DNC (see Monday's AC blog entry), to the 500 people at Google's Big Tent, to MySpace's Decision08 and the Huffington Post's "Off the Bus" feature, new media is a force to be reckoned with. Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos, put it perfectly in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News when he said, "The bottom line is that people no longer want to be spectators. Technology allows us to essentially become participants."

New media, otherwise known as real people writing online with fresh viewpoints and compelling stories--without corporate agendas--are what we're all about at AC, and we think we've got the best of the bunch.

AC President Luke Beatty attended an interesting luncheon held by the HuffPo yesterday in Denver. Panelists Arianna Huffington, George Stephanopolous, Charlie Rose, Rahm Emanuel, and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas (and others) discussed how new media is changing the game and interacting with traditional media. It was will.i.am who had the comment of the day (courtesy of FishbowlDC), "You want to make content that you can put in your pocket, not it throw away in a garbage can." As members of the new media our CPs are making relevant, versatile, mobile content every day and are changing the way consumers get their news and information. And, unlike many bloggers, they're profiting from their labor. Keep up the good work!

Coverage of the DNC and RNC on Associated Content

The political conventions have begun! Associated Content's CPs are providing one-of-a kind coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions by publishing loads of original text, video, audio, and slide shows. Here's what you can expect in the next two weeks:

• First-person reporting from the Convention floor.
• Original reporting, video, and photos from rallies, protests, parties, and more.
• Top-notch analysis from Content Producers across the globe.
• Inside sneak peeks from convention delegates.

Check this page daily for new additions.

Just this afternoon, a few of our Denver staffers went down to check out the new media action at Google's Big Tent and spread the world about AC. They even met a few CPs! View the photos here. If you are interested in participating in AC's coverage of these historic gatherings, check your Calls for Content. There are a variety of writing and reporting options available.