I try and keep politics off LinkedIn...and I won't be changing that today! However, from a communications perspective, the big winners for me were the Lib Dems. They knew that getting editorial across the campaign was going to be tough, but pictures are still a valuable commodity, no one wants to read slabs of text, whether on-line or in print. Newspaper layouts are designed to include an eye-catching picture story. They are still a valuable tool in the PR chest.
And the Lib Dems pulled it off with some aplomb, linking eye-catching stunts with their manifesto. Bungee jumping, paddle boarding, Zumba dancing, all great opportunities to catch the Picture Editor's eye...especially when combined with a smile, and a knowing sense of your own abilities and ambitions.
The affect it had on their performance? You could argue not that much, if you look at total share of vote. But their impressive results were down to a strategic focus on the seats where they knew they had a real chance. And it's undeniable that they got valuable media coverage to support that strategy, when perhaps a more orthodox approach - press conferences in factories, a pint in the pub, earnest looking conversations with public sector workers etc. - would have received far less attention.
I'm only surprised Ed Davey didn't sail something down the Thames (followed by a pop-up shop in Shoreditch).
picture credit: BBC News website
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