Public sector

Microsoft stable selected by DNCC

29 April 2008

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) has named Microsoft as the official software and HD Web content provider for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held 25-28 August in Denver.

“From voting to nominate the next President of the United States to adopting a national platform, there is a significant amount of important Party business that goes on at each and every convention,” said Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. “Microsoft’s pioneering technology will play an integral role in powering the business of the Party in Denver.”

Microsoft will provide the DNCC with technologies and applications to enhance engagement with Web viewers, delegates, members of the media and other convention guests, as well as to support delegate tracking, voting and the management of credentials.

During the nomination process, Microsoft technology will support a voting system that will provide up-to-the-minute delegate vote totals electronically to the Office of the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee, allowing timely reporting of vote tallies as compiled by each delegation’s Chair.

In a first for a political convention, Silverlight, in conjunction with the Level 3 Communications network, will bring live, high quality convention video coverage to a worldwide audience via the DNCC’s Web site. Silverlight multimedia applications will provide an all-access pass for the convention’s online audience, offering the opportunity for viewers to individually tailor their convention experiences.

Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel at Microsoft, said: “Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in the electoral process, and contributing to the convention allows Microsoft to help ensure that the Democratic Party, its delegates as well as voters watching in their homes and on the Internet, are able to take full advantage of the benefits.”