Blackrock Associates goes 7-for-7 in 2006 mid-terms

11/09/2006

Berkeley, CA -- Blackrock Associates LLC, a leading online marketing consulting firm for progressive candidate and initiative campaigns, today celebrated its clients’ perfect 7-for-7 record in this year’s mid-term elections.

“The results speak for themselves,” said Principal Brent Blackaby. “While online marketing for political campaigns has been steadily growing in importance over the past few years, this year truly showed how indispensable this component has become to a successful campaign.”

Principal Larry Huynh added that, “By helping our clients grow their email lists, raise funds online, and spread their message to the millions of Democratic activists who organize on the web, we allowed them to maximize the impact their campaigns had through this growing medium.”

Blackrock Associates’ successful clients included prominent federal, statewide, and initiative campaigns. In U.S. Senate races, Blackrock helped Jim Webb raise over $4 million online for his successful toppling of incumbent Senator George Allen in Virginia, and built nearly a 100,000 member email list for Amy Klobuchar’s campaign that surged to an impressive 20-point victory over Representative Mark Kennedy in Minnesota.

In a race that tested the campaign’s ability to adapt to a continuously changing opponent in a red district, Texas Representative Nick Lampson pulled off an upset for Tom DeLay’s old seat. In addition to list building and fundraising support, Blackrock helped the campaign build buzz and spread its message through viral content such as the “DeLay’s Dollars” Flash-based game.

In California, Blackrock’s two statewide candidates bucked the trend at the top of the ticket and won impressive victories. Secretary of State candidate Debra Bowen beat the only incumbent Republican running statewide in California outside of the governor’s race, and John Chiang won his race for Controller by 10 points.

Blackrock also consulted for two successful initiative campaigns. In Oregon, Blackrock worked with a coalition of pro-choice groups to defeat Measure 43, a parental notification measure that would have put thousand of young women at risk. In California, Blackrock helped a coalition of environmental groups support Proposition 84, a water-quality infrastructure bond that was one of only two down-ballot propositions that passed in California this year.

Blackrock Consultant Mike Disharoon noted the growing importance of political online marketing: “As more and more users turn to the web for information, community, and a chance to support their preferred candidates, it’s clear that a strong online presence is no longer a luxury for political campaigns, it’s a necessity.”

Blackrock Associates, LLC is a leading online marketing consulting firm for Democratic candidates and progressive initiative campaigns. Blackrock's two principals, Brent Blackaby and Larry Huynh, offer many years of experience in online marketing, online fundraising, supporter acquisition, and grassroots engagement from work in both the political and business worlds.