5 Cool (Recent) Branding Moves By President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama has been known to infuse hot trends and a cool factor throughout his campaigning and his presidency. With major pressing issues still on the White House plate, from student loan interest rate increases to the Buffett Rule to health insurance, the President still manages to incorporate moments where the American public gets to a glimpse into the often humorous and personable Head of State. Here we take a look at five cool branding moves from the Commander-in-Chief. --- Janell Hazelwoodmore
Slow Jammin' with Jimmy Fallon: The President recently appeared on the comedian's late-night talk show where, backed up by hip-hop band The Roots, he talked about the rise in student loan interest rates and how they'd affect struggling students and recent grads. With sultry music reminiscent of a Barry White Top 40 hit and ad-libs by Fallon, Obama stressed the need to keep interest rates low and pushed for Congressional support in doing so.(View footage here.)more
"Let's Stay Together" at the Apollo: Earlier this year, Obama addressed a crowd at The Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y., beginning his speech by singing a piece of soul crooner Al Green's hit "Let's Stay Together." (And he didn't sound half bad). The address was to gather support for his 2012 reelection campaign. (View footage here.)more
Hangin' Out with Google+: Earlier this week, Obama appeared in a live video chat room known as a "Hangout," part of online search giant Google's social networking site Google Plus. During this video chat, he answered questions from citizens across the nation submitted via the Web, as well as interacting live with voters. He even told one Texas woman, who has an unemployed husband, to send him the man's resume and that he'd take a look at it to find solutions.more
Facebook Headquarters Appearance: Obama became the first Head of State to tour the headquarters of social media powerhouse Facebook in April 2011, adding to his cool factor among the young and tech savvy. It was during this town hall and tour where he answered questions on the economy, an event broadcast live to more than 500 million Facebook users. Facebook today remains a power presence in the tech and social media market, with its recent $1 billion purchase of photo-sharing tool Instagram and more than 900 million members worldwide.more
Sweet Home Chicago: In February, Obama joined blues legend BB King and Mick Jagger at an event in Chicago for a rendition of "Sweet Home Chicago." This was part of a Black History Month concert at the White House, where The East Room was transformed into an intimate blues club featuring performances by blues all-stars of the past, present and future.
(View here.)more