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Yearly Archives

2016

2016 ElectionsReleases

Over 2 Million Political Ads Aired This Cycle

Group Activity in Senate Contests at All-Time High; Democrats Advantaged in Competitive Senate Races; Super PACs Heavily Involved August 24, 2016 Report Highlights • Presidential and Senate ads heavily out-numbering ads in other races • Outside group ad airings in Senate races are at an all-time high • Ad spending higher than 2012: Dems sponsor own, GOP rely on outside groups • Hillary Clinton is top ad sponsor so far in the general election • Impact on media markets since first Trump ad buy • FL, OH and NC voters are seeing the most presidential ads • Democrats are running…
Wesleyan Media Project
August 24, 2016
2016 ElectionsBlogReleases

WMP/CRP Special Report
Outside Group Activity, 2000-2016

Image: OpenSecrets Super PACs dominate 2016; “Dark Money” a consistent but growing presence since 2000; Outside Groups at all-time high in share of ads aired; most groups active in only one election cycle August 24, 2016 (MIDDLETOWN, CT) August 24, 2016 – A new historical analysis of political advertising data by the Wesleyan Media Project, in partnership with the Center for Responsive Politics, reveals several important findings about the involvement of outside groups in elections over the past decade and a half.  In particular, the report provides an in-depth assessment of outside group advertising (2.4 million airings) over time, examining trends…
Wesleyan Media Project
August 24, 2016
2016 ElectionsReleases

Advertising Volume Up 122% Over 2012 Levels;
Spending in Presidential Race Over $400 million

Presidential Advertising Largely Positive; Dark Money Flooding Senate Contests May 12, 2016 Report Highlights • Advertising volume compared to 2008 and 2012 • GOP pres. candidates relying more on outside groups • Top outside group sponsors • Milwaukee, Hartford, Indianapolis saw most ads since March 15 • Super PACs pay for over 90% of GOP outside group ads • Candidate ads overwhelmingly positive • Issues featured in ads • Hottest Senate races are in PA, MD and AL • Senate Races: Top outside group sponsors • Senate Races: Dark money groups more active (MIDDLETOWN, CT) May 12, 2016 - Although…
Wesleyan Media Project
May 12, 2016
Blog

Knight Foundation provides $45,000
in new support

Election campaign advertising by outside groups continues to break records; Knight Foundation provides $45,000 in new support to Wesleyan Media Project to promote more transparency in elections MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Feb. 18, 2016 – Interest group involvement in television advertising is breaking records in the presidential primary, the Wesleyan Media Project reports today in its first 2016 analysis of political advertising in the presidential race and Senate campaigns. The project is made possible with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Wesleyan University. The report shows that advertising in the GOP primary is up 22 percent…
Wesleyan Media Project
February 18, 2016