"The Voice Of" 2012 Presidential Debate Official Online Destination

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) today announced "The Voice Of ___," the online destination for the 2012 presidential debates. 

Beginning later this month, "The Voice Of ___" digital initiative will provide the American public with access to information about the issues at large, feature the live debates, allow access to archival debate footage, and give people throughout the country the opportunity to share their voice.  "The Voice Of ____" will be showcased exclusively across a coalition of partners – AOL (aol.com/thevoiceof), Google (youtube.com/thevoiceof) and Yahoo! (yahoo.com/thevoiceof) – to reach a massive online audience.

"The 2012 debates can be the foundation for a season of conversation, and the internet initiative will provide unprecedented access for citizens to participate in that conversation," said CPD co-chairmen Michael D. McCurry and Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. "This initiative recognizes that technology offers the means to provide, receive and share information about the topics that will be discussed during the debates – it has the potential to reach and engage more people than have ever participated in these voter education forums."

AOL, Google and Yahoo!, along with back-end partners HAUS and Heroku, have all agreed to lend their technology, audiences or expertise to the program. They are collaborating to showcase an experience that will enhance every citizen's ability to further their education on the issues and add a voice to the national conversation. 

"AOL is very excited to be a part of the new coalition of digital media leaders, providing an interactive program for citizens to gather information about the issues and spark discussions about the 2012 presidential debate topics," said Artie Minson, Chief Operating Officer, AOL. "We look forward to partnering with the other partners, and we believe we can play an important role in helping drive the national conversation." 

"Technology is transforming the political process from one that voters watch from afar, to one that people can participate in, engage with, and shape in a democratic way," said Susan Molinari, Google's Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs. "We are excited to join the Commission on Presidential Debates to help educate voters on key issues in this election and provide a front row seat to the presidential debates." 

"Yahoo! is excited to share our technology and content with voters, helping them make the most informed decisions this election year," said Mickie Rosen, SVP, Global Media & Commerce, Yahoo!. "From creative ways to engage citizens in conversations around important issues, to the most relevant news articles, we're excited to do more by being a part of this incredible digital initiative. We couldn't be more proud to work with the Commission on Presidential Debates."

"We are excited to be a part of the coalition that provides voters a better way to find, digest and process online information about the upcoming presidential election," said Oren Teich, COO, Heroku. "We wholeheartedly support the CPD's commitment to using technology to promote open debate within the political process, and look forward to seeing how it will impact the election." 

The coalition and project are being led by BBH New York – the Commission on Presidential Debates' agency since 2008 – and production partner HAUS, with cloud deployment provided by Heroku.  The Paley Center for Media is the official subscriber of the live debate feed.  "The Voice Of ___" will have a dynamic name that reveals the exact number of people who have engaged with the experience at any given time. "Though it may start out as 'The Voice Of 1,' the intent is that it will grow to educate thousands – if not millions – of Americans," said Jennifer Gavin, head of digital development, BBH NY. 

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SOURCE Commission on Presidential Debates