Hawkfish, Mike Bloomberg, Joe Biden, and MayschleiferVox
The 2020 US Presidential election was a hotly contested race, with both major parties vying for the top spot. One of the key players in the election was former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who founded a digital agency called Hawkfish to help his own campaign and later Joe Biden’s campaign. However, the agency has been in the news recently due to layoffs and its eventual shutdown [1][2]. In this article, we will take a closer look at Hawkfish, its role in the 2020 election, and what its closure means for the future of digital campaigning.
The Rise of Hawkfish
Hawkfish was founded by Mike Bloomberg in 2019, before he announced his candidacy for President. The agency was created with the goal of using data and technology to help Democratic candidates win elections [1]. Bloomberg invested heavily in the agency, providing it with $100 million in funding [2]. The agency quickly gained attention for its innovative approach to digital campaigning, which included using social media and other platforms to reach voters.
During the 2020 election, Hawkfish played a key role in both Bloomberg’s campaign and later Joe Biden’s campaign. The agency was responsible for creating digital ads, managing social media accounts, and analyzing data to help the campaigns target voters more effectively [3]. Hawkfish’s work was widely praised for its effectiveness, with many experts crediting it with helping Biden win the election.
The Closure of Hawkfish
Despite its success during the 2020 election, Hawkfish has been in the news recently due to layoffs and its eventual shutdown. In May 2021, the agency confirmed that it had chosen a new CEO, Josh Mendelsohn, as its new head [1]. However, just a few months later, it was announced that the agency would be shutting down [2]. The closure of Hawkfish has been attributed to a number of factors, including the end of the 2020 election cycle and the changing political landscape.
While the closure of Hawkfish is certainly a blow to the world of digital campaigning, it is not necessarily a sign that such campaigns are no longer effective. Rather, it is likely that other agencies will step up to fill the void left by Hawkfish. In fact, many experts believe that digital campaigning will only become more important in future elections, as voters increasingly turn to social media and other online platforms for information.
The Future of Digital Campaigning
So what does the closure of Hawkfish mean for the future of digital campaigning? While it is certainly a setback, it is important to remember that digital campaigning is still a relatively new field. As such, there is still much to be learned about what works and what doesn’t. In the coming years, we can expect to see other agencies and organizations experimenting with new approaches to digital campaigning, and we may see new players emerge who are able to build on the successes of Hawkfish and other agencies.
One thing that is clear is that data and technology will continue to play a key role in future elections. As voters become more connected and more reliant on digital platforms for information, campaigns will need to adapt and find new ways to reach them. This will require a deep understanding of data analytics and an ability to use technology effectively to target voters and create compelling messaging.
Conclusion
Hawkfish was a key player in the 2020 US Presidential election, using data and technology to help both Mike Bloomberg and Joe Biden’s campaigns. While the agency has since shut down, its legacy lives on in the world of digital campaigning. As we look to the future, it is clear that data and technology will continue to play a key role in elections, and that new players will emerge to build on the successes of agencies like Hawkfish. While the closure of Hawkfish is certainly a setback, it is not the end of digital campaigning, and we can expect to see many more innovations in the years to come.
