Social Studies Lab

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Campaign Spending 2016

Of the $11.4 billion in advertising that is predicted to be spent in the 2016 election, on what medium (radio, internet, TV, etc.) is the most presidential campaign money spent?

Source: Borrell Associates Inc.

  1. How accurate was your prediction?

  2. What most surprised you about this information?

  3. What is one reason for all of this spending?

  4. What questions do you have about this information?

  5. How do you imagine these numbers will change by 2036?

  6. Who do you think is the individual that will spend the most in 2016?

  7. Why do you think that half of the money spent is on broadcast TV ads?

  8. Explain whether you think that the person who spends the most will probably win:

  9. Is the fact that all this money is spent good for the American people?

  10. In the comments section, explain one consequence of all of this campaign spending:


Learning Extension

Read this new report from advertising spending experts Borrell Associates who predict a whopping 20 percent increase in campaign spending over 2012.


Action Extension

Download the campaign ad log above and keep a log of the campaign ads that reach you over the 4 days. For each ad, note the medium, candidate, date & time, length of ad, and a grade of the effectiveness of the ad (A-F). Consider how much campaign ads influence your opinion.