Brownback campaign offers new app that puts politics in your pocket

TOPEKA, Kan. -- With campaign season rapidly approaching, Brownback for Governor, Inc. has announced the launch of "SamForGov", the first iPhone application in America for a gubernatorial candidate.

The application offers a range of updated content and social media with the ability to sign up as a campaign volunteer and collect mobile contributions. The application extends the campaign's reach by converting supporters into well-equipped field workers, according to a statement released by Brownback for Governor, Inc.

"Sam Brownback is running a grassroots campaign to connect with Kansans all across the State," David Kensinger, Brownback for Governor Campaign Manager, said. "This application will help us reach Kansans right where they are, at a time and place most convenient for them."

The application is available now for free download from the iTunes App Store or visiting http://appsto.re/

samforgov.

SamForGov offers users an easy way to sign up for campaign mailings and volunteer lists, share the campaign and the application with friends through the supporter's social media channels, and make contributions right from the iPhone. Users also can easily access the latest news and events for the campaign and use audio and video clips.

"Great design, integration of cutting-edge Web 2.0 tools and a super-easy way to provide real help to the campaign -- this app has it all. It is truly a revolutionary idea and we're thrilled to be launching it to support the campaign," Kensinger said. "MTB Mobile is leading the way in connecting campaigns with supporters. We are very pleased with the application they have designed and delivered."

"SamForGov is a great example of what can be done with our Campaign 2.0™ platform," Jeff Pfaff, President and founder of MTB Mobile, said.

The application is designed for simple maintenance by the campaign with a web-based back end that allows immediate updates of dynamic content. The Home Screen also has rotating "banners" that allow the campaign to highlight events, celebrate key volunteers, and provide rapid response to fast-breaking news. Each banner links to yet another dynamic view so the campaign can provide details to support the broad banner messages.

Key features of SamForGov include:

* Sign supporters up for the campaign mailing list and collect their name, E-mail, ZIP code, mobile number and mobile opt-in for text messaging.

* Enlist volunteers along with their key skills and interests.

* Sharing capability that uses the supporter's Facebook, Twitter, E-mail and text messages to spread campaign info and allows the campaign to dynamically pre-configure the message that is posted.

* Campaign contributions processed by PayPal and Google Checkout.

* Dynamic content views that can be changed on demand by the campaign.

* "Banners" that link to dynamic content views to highlight events, celebrate key volunteers, and provide rapid response to fast-breaking news.

* The campaign can alert supporters that they should check the application for updates -- even when the application is not open on the iPhone.

* A customized look-and-feel that matches the campaign's brand identity and makes supporters feel instantly at home.

In early 2010, the campaign also will launch applications for the Blackberry and Android platforms as well as a web application that will extend the campaign onto virtually any phone.