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Facebook and CNN join forces for US election coverage

Facebook and CNN have teamed up in a social TV partnership that will see Facebook act as ‘second screen’ for the 2012 US presidential election coverage across TV, desktop and mobile.

The multi-platform partnership includes the launch of the ‘I’m Voting’ Facebook app, which will allow users of the social network to commit to voting and endorse specific candidates and issues. This information will be displayed on a user’s Facebook timeline, news feed and real-time ticker, as well as by US state on an interactive map.

The app, which is available in English and Spanish, will serve as a ‘second screen’ for CNN’s America’s Choice 2012 political coverage. Via on-air, online and mobile segments, CNN personalities will use the app to engage with users on the most important questions driving the national dialogue.

Facebook and CNN will also measure metrics about all of the candidates. And as the campaigns progress, Facebook will report the collective amount of discussion around each candidate and CNN will carry out specific state-by-state analysis.  

Both companies will also survey voting-age users in key US locations and demographics around the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, Presidential Debates and Election Day. Results will be published on CNN, CNN.com and on the US Politics on Facebook page, where information for the 2012 campaign sits.

“By allowing citizens to connect in an authentic and meaningful way with presidential candidates and discuss critical issues facing the country, we hope more voters than ever will get involved with issues that matter most to them,” says Facebook vice-president corporate communications Joe Lockhart. 

In 2009, Facebook and CNN teamed up for a joint live broadcast of the 2009 inauguration of President Obama, which set a new record for simultaneous streaming-video viewers.

Jenni Baker, London