What We Do
The Wesleyan Media Project tracks and analyzes all broadcast advertisements aired by or on behalf of federal and state election candidates in every media market in the country. Since the 2010 election cycle, we have been providing real-time information on ad spending in federal election campaigns across the country, who specifically is doing that spending and which candidates are benefiting.
Our goals are to develop a definitive database that tracks all advertising by source (interest group, corporation, union, party, or candidate), and to enhance the ability of scholars, citizens, and journalists to hold government accountable by providing public information on how special interests are attempting to influence American democracy in general and political campaigns in particular.
See our latest report here, or read our year-end summaries of campaign advertising in the 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016 elections.
Press Releases
Outside Group Ads Up 85% in Federal Races
Over 2.2 Million Ads Aired This Cycle; Post-Labor Day Period Slightly Less Negative than 2014 (MIDDLETOWN, CT) September 20, 2018 – In the two weeks following Labor Day – traditionally...Digital Spending in Senate Races Varies
O’Rourke campaign largest digital spender by far; At least $4 million on digital ad spending in tight Senate races (MIDDLETOWN, CT) September 13, 2018 – Though campaigns still spend the...Republicans – Men and Women – Continue to Embrace Trump in Their Ads
Women candidates more positive; Democratic women laser focused on health (MIDDLETOWN, CT) September 13, 2018 – Pro-Trump messaging in political ads continued through August. Almost 36,000 ad airings in U.S....
Team & Partners
Who we are
The Wesleyan Media Project is directed by Professors Erika Franklin Fowler, Michael M. Franz and Travis N. Ridout. The Project Manager is Laura Baum. An outstanding group of students from all three institutions support the project through various activities.
Read MoreThe Data
Press releases
We track all broadcast advertisements aired in presidential, congressional and many lower-level campaigns in real-time. During election years, we regularly post press releases detailing the content, volume and estimated cost of political advertisements.
Read MoreWMP News
News from the project
Check out the latest from our blog featuring a variety of content related to media and advertising analyses including project updates, short commentaries, summaries, links to interesting research and occasional guest posts.
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