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social currency™
Social Media Analysis of the 2010 Toronto Mayoral Election
June 17, 2010
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Introduction and Purpose
Research ObjectivesFor the pilot initiative, we’ve analyzed social media channels providing a perspective on how the major mayoral candidates are being discussed online – specifically, the propensity of each candidate to be mentioned in social media channels and the accompanying sentiment for the past 6 weeks (May 1st –June 11th)In tracking the online discussion surrounding the candidates, the goal is to get a snapshot of who’s winning the “word of mouth war”, by answering: Who has momentum? Who has positive buzz? What issues are resonating with voters?
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About Social Media
Social media is conversation or interaction between people online. While it’s still early in the race, an analysis of what people are actually saying about the candidates in social media channels offers a unique perspective and texture for the campaign.
Unlike traditional news media, which tries to maintain objectivity and fairness in reporting the news, social media is a domain of unfettered subjectivity and bias. It’s an environment where innuendo assumes equal prominence alongside fact, and where special interests are forever seeking to leverage the channel’s potential to influence opinion and alter outcomes in their favour. It truly is a new and wild frontier.
Traditional polling is usually asks voters who they plan to vote for. Social media provides a broader perspective. The volume and tone of discussion provides a real-time indication of voter engagement and intentions, possibly foretelling the fortune of the candidates based on the response and potential influence of the medium.
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Overall Weekly Activity Timeline
627662
505
437
648
711
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6
May 18: CP24 Debate
May 11: Habitat for Humanity Debate
May 10: Interfaith Council Meeting
What it is: Trended volume of instances where candidates names are mentioned in social media channelsWhat it says: Candidate mention activity is sporadic, but seems to be building. Discussion is most often fuelled by offline events like debates and major policy announcementsAnalysis: From a social media perspective, voter engagement remains low. Look for conversation activity to increase as the public gets more engaged in the campaign.
May 1-7 May 8-14 May 15-21 May 22-28 May 29-June 4 June 5-11
Total 3590 mentionsAverage 598 per week
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Social Media Source
Twitter, 51%Blogs, 39%
Social Networks, 3%
Message Boards, 4%
Video/Image Sharing, 2%
What it is: The percentage of candidate mention activity that can be attributed to each social media channelWhat it says: More than half of the conversation takes place on Twitter.Analysis: The content-rich nature of blogs is home to more substantive analysis of the campaign, whereas Twitter tends to echo the day’s headlines and events as people pass along news, observations and opinions.
3590 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
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Candidate Share of VoiceWhat it is: Share of mentions for each candidate in social media channelsWhat it says: Ford receives the highest volume of mentions overall, followed by Smitherman and RossiAnalysis: Ford’s controversial stance on issues fosters the most discussion – both criticism and praise, while Mammoliti and Thomson fail to inspire much conversation activity.
Ford, 35%
Smitherman, 25%
Pantalone, 11%
Rossi, 17%
Mammoliti, 6%Thomson, 6%
Ford -Smitherman 1004
Rossi 6495Pantalone 642Mammoliti 464Thomson 615
Facebook Fans
Ford 674Smitherman 1617
Rossi 1441Pantalone 597Mammoliti 476Thomson 1083
Twitter Followers
•As of June 17 •As of June 17
3590 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
7
15% 22% 26%13% 7% 14% 9%
71% 55%
67%
60%81%
83%78%
14%23%
7%
28%12%
4%13%
Overall Ford Smitherman Rossi Pantalone Mammoliti Thomson
PositiveNeutralNegative
Candidate SentimentWhat it is: An analysis of the sentiment from candidate mentionsWhat it says: Rossi has the largest proportion of positive comments. Conversation about Ford is polarized and least likely to be neutral. Comments relating to Smitherman and Mammoliti are more negative than positive.What it means: Rossi’s aggressive online marketing is instrumental in driving positive buzz. Smitherman’s buzz is negatively impacted by reactions to transit policy and challenges faced as a provincial MPP.
Recall Share of Voice 17% 11% 6%25%35% 6%100%
Net (Pos minus Neg) 15% 5% -10%-19%1% 4%-1%
3590 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
8
3%
2%
8%
3%
2%
9%
9%
7%
3%
3%
3%
1%
1%
9%
2%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – All Candidates
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to Candidate Experience
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
3590 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
What it is: A ranking of the most frequently discussed topics of conversation for all candidates, along with accompanying sentiment.What it says: Transit is the most discussed issue. Debates inspire dialogue and discussion. People are using social media to vocalize their support or opposition of a candidate.
Discussion of Ford’s comments on AIDS and Homophobia
Reference to a Poll
13%
12%
9%
9%
8%
5%
3%
6%
9
1%
2%
9%
2%
4%
4%
6%
3%
3%
5%
2%
2%
10%
2%
1%
1%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Ford
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to Candidate Experience
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
1239 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion of Ford’s comments on AIDS and Homophobia
Reference to a Poll
5%
10%
10%
5%
9%
10%
3%
5%
Recall: Ford’s share of voice = 35%What it says: Support and opposition are almost evenly divided. Ford’s “Truth About Aids” tweet garnered a strong negative reaction, which was perpetuated by Smitherman releasing a statement on the issue.
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8%
2%
11%
8%
1%
15%
11%
9%
5%
4%
3%
1%
4%
1%
1%
1%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Smitherman
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to Candidate Experience
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
914 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion of Ford’s comments on AIDS and Homophobia
Discussion Relating to Smitherman’s Trip to China
24%
14%
4%
10%
11%
5%
4%
13%
Recall: Smitherman’s share of voice = 25% What it says: Smitherman’s transit policy garnered significant negative discussion. General opposition outweighs supporters by almost 3:1. Negative discussion also stems from his track record and issues during his tenure as MPP
Candidate Specific Issue
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3%
1%
6%
1%
16%
6%
13%
2%
2%
1%
2%
18%
3%
3%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Rossi
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to the G20 Conference in Toronto
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
616 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion relating to Rossi’s Plan to Create 250 000 Jobs
22%
9%
18%
16%
6%
3%
1%
2%
Recall: Rossi’s share of voice = 17%What it says: Transit is the most common issue discussed relative to Rossi. Supportive comments outweigh statements of opposition by almost 3:1
Reference to a Poll
Candidate Specific Issue
12
1%
1%
2%
1%
5%
8%
18%
4%
10%
7%
1%
5%
1%
2%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Pantalone
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to the G20 Conference in Toronto
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
382 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion relating to electoral reform, including online voting and councilor numbers
6%
10%
5%
19%
2%
13%
7%
4%
Discussion relating to the World Cup, including motion to extend liquor serving hours
Recall: Pantalone’s share of voice = 11%What it says: Pantalone generated discussion by pushing to extend serving ours during World Cup. His “Civic Values”platform (which included ideas on electoral reform) also received coverage.
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9%
5%
14%
4%
12%
18%
17%
2%
4%
2% 4%
1%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Mammoliti
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Discussion relating to his Waterfront Proposal
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
223 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion relating to Pride Parade Funding
5%
14%
2%
4%
9%
18%
23%
17%
Recall: Mammoliti’s share of voice = 6%What is says: Mammoliti’s Waterfront proposal was received more negatively than positively. There was no positive support relating to any of his “Outrageous” ideas.
Candidate Specific Issue
Discussion relating to the World Cup, including motion to extend liquor serving hours
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1%
5%
3%
10%
18%
11%
6%
13%
3%
3%
8%
3%
1%
Negative Neutral Positive
Most Popular Discussion Topics and Sentiment – Thomson
Discussion relating to Transit/Transportation(TTC, Bike Lanes, Road Tolls)
Discussion relating to Candidate Performance at a Debate
Non-Specific Comments in Support of a Candidate
Non-Specific Comments Opposing a Candidate
Discussion Around a Campaign Event or Appearance
216 mentionsMay 1 – June 11
Base
Discussion relating to housing policy
14%
26%
8%
11%
3%
14%
3%
6%
Reference to a Poll
Recall: Thomson’s share of voice = 6%What it says: Thomson’s performances in debates are more negative than positive. There was excitement and activity surrounding recent poll numbers which showed her share of decided voters increasing.
Discussion relating to Candidate Experience
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Summary
Not so long ago, political campaigns were fought primarily on mass media channels like television and the newspaper – but the age of web 2.0 and social media has opened up a new battleground. The web is a place where the candidates, media and the voting public are freely engaged in a raw and candid dialogue, sharing news, promoting policy views, and stirring up controversy, all in hopes of exerting influence on the outcome of the election. The social web has changed the political landscape forever as special interests attempt to leverage the web’s immediacy, expansive reach and relative anonymity – where anything can be said with relative impunity.
At the time of this study, voter engagement (as measured by conversation levels) seems to be growing. Much of the conversation is stimulated by events, the media and ardent campaign supporters. Interestingly, share of voice for each candidate aligns somewhat to recent polling numbers. Transit is a strong source of discussion both online and off. Overall, positive and negative sentiment regarding the candidates is evenly split, but certain candidates foster a larger proportion of either positive or negative discussion.
What’s clear from this early analysis is that social media can both accelerate and amplify word of mouth about the campaign. The ease at which messages can be passed along perpetuates a viral loop that can either benefit or harm a candidate’s chance at victory, a double edged sword of which most campaign teams are keenly aware.
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Using specialized software we formed a query using the names of the top six candidates – Rocco Rossi, George Smitherman, Joe Pantalone, Sarah Thomson, Giorgio Mammoliti and Rob Ford. Northstar collected and analyzed six weeks of data, from April 25th through June 6th, 2010 from social media sources like blogs, discussion forums, Twitter and image sharing sites like YouTube and Flickr. Data from Facebook was limited to publicly available content only, meaning any private conversations between friends that are protected by passwords and user privacy settings were not collected. Essentially, anything that is considered part of the public domain was considered for the analysis.
Over 50,000 documents were considered for the analysis, which was then culled down to genuine citizen generated discussion and opinion by filtering out news articles coming directly from traditional media outlets, spam or any other sources judged to be unworthy of inclusion. We also filtered out data coming directly from the candidates themselves – specifically from candidate Twitter and Facebook profiles. Personal profiles maintained by candidate staffers were included in the analysis as we thought it was relevant to include any advocate or detractor of a candidate, who wasn’t a candidate themselves.
Positive or negative sentiment was assigned based on the expression of a personal opinion or comment. News stories like personal appearance and policy announcements were considered neutral, unless appended by subjective remarks. It’s also common in social media for people to forward or “retweet” content that’s of interest. In the event where opinionated content was passed along, we assumed the sender shared the same point of view to the original author, unless that opinion was appended with its own commentary.
Methodology
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About Northstar Research Partners
Northstar is a full-service market research firm that performs all forms of consumer research, including qualitative, quantitative and ethnographic. Social Currency™, Northstar’s social media research practice, monitors, measures and mines social media activity, giving brands a perspective on how and why the social web responds to market activities. Social Currency™ is led by Patrick Gladney.
Northstar was founded in Toronto and through a combination of strong organic growth & strategic acquisitions, has grown to a team of 100 research & insight consultants in 7 offices globally. Collectively we operate in more than 60 countries, with offices in Canada, the United States, and the UK.