Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign spent a significant amount of money on media consulting, directing nearly $600 million to just four firms connected to the Democratic establishment. These firms together accounted for about 70% of the campaign's known spending, which was over $880 million as of October 16, 2024. The largest beneficiary was Media Buying & Analytics, which received around $281 million for ad services, yet operated mostly in the background without a public presence.
Gambit Strategies followed, earning $122 million; this firm was founded by experienced members of prior Democratic campaigns. Bully Pulpit Interactive garnered over $101 million and has built a reputation since 2009 for innovative campaign strategies, attempting to leverage social media influencers to connect with voters, a tactic that ultimately did not work well for Harris. Dupont Circle Strategies, a newly created firm, earned about $94 million but remained obscure, with ties suggested to another consulting firm that had worked with Harris earlier.
Despite the large amounts spent on these firms, Harris's campaign struggled, resulting in losses in all seven swing states and failing to win the overall popular vote. The high reliance on these established firms has raised questions about their effectiveness, particularly since they have been involved in other unsuccessful political efforts. Additionally, the lack of transparency and limited public information on some of these organizations has sparked concerns over their influence on campaign financing.
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