Scheduled for August, the White House Creator Economy Conference will bring influencers, creators, and notable social media personalities to the White House to discuss pressing issues with senior officials. Topics will likely include AI, data privacy, and the impact of social media on mental health.
The Biden administration is ramping up its efforts to connect with the nation’s content creators.
On Friday, Christian Tom, director of the White House Office of Digital Strategy, announced an exciting new event at VidCon: the White House’s inaugural conference for social media creators.
Following a lackluster first presidential debate of 2024, President Biden is keen to appeal to young voters, social media influencers, and content creators. The White House Office of Digital Strategy, which is even hiring a meme manager, is hard at work on this front.
Christian Tom emphasized the importance of this event: “The inaugural White House Creator Economy Conference will highlight the Administration’s dedication to creators and the significant economic and cultural value they bring,” he told TechCrunch. “Our Office of Digital Strategy prioritizes engaging with digital creators, and we are excited to discuss how these issues affect their lives and inform policy decisions.”
This innovative move comes from an administration that has consistently reached out to content creators. Last month, during a Democratic National Convention media walkthrough at the United Center, influencers were given prime seats alongside ABC and NBC journalists. Throughout Biden’s presidency, his team has collaborated with hundreds of influencers, encouraging them to cover issues affecting Americans and key political events. Influencers have previously helped promote COVID-19 vaccinations, too.
Many Americans rely on social media for their news, with about 32% of people aged 18 to 29 getting their news from TikTok last year, according to a Pew Research Center poll. Engaging with influencers is logical, as it fosters a supportive environment for the emerging creators and influencers who are shaping many markets. Their influence is undeniable, and they excel at creating
shareable content.
This event is set three months before election day, making the timing strategic. Despite Biden’s pursuit of a TikTok ban, his campaign has heavily utilized social media for promotion.
“A fragmented media environment requires us to show up and meet voters where they are—and that includes online,” a spokesperson told NBC in April. “TikTok is one of many platforms where we ensure our content reaches voters.
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