There are two global truths about "memes": first, they peaked when companies started using them, and second, they are very difficult to implement in the political realm. In this context, both Democrats and Republicans in the United States have tried to present humor online, but ended up feeling frustrated and unsuccessful.
President Joe Biden's campaign, which has managed to build a fairly strong online presence so far, is looking to take this further. A recent job listing for the Biden campaign revealed that they are seeking a manager to handle the daily operations of engaging with the best online content and meme pages, with a salary of up to $85,000 annually, aiming to attract young voters, according to CNBC.
According to the job description, the successful candidate will be required to manage daily interactions with the best content and meme pages online. The ideal candidate for this role should be enthusiastic about delivering political content to voters where they are engaged on online platforms. The new employee will work at the campaign headquarters in Delaware to grow and manage relationships with top digital media companies, podcast broadcasters, and meme pages across various social media platforms.
Biden has long embraced partnerships with content creators as part of his strategy to enhance communications with young Americans. His administration has recruited creators to boost political gains and spread information about foreign affairs. His presidential campaign has relied on social media influencers to help promote his agenda.
So far, the most famous meme associated with the campaign is "Dark Brandon," adopted by Biden's camp after progressives managed to reclaim it from right-wing internet circles. One of the latest viral memes, which spread organically and is often used out of political context, originated from an engaging phrase by Vice President Kamala Harris: "Do you think you just fell out of a coconut tree?" This remark was made during a speech where she described how her mother used to create difficult moments for them, which garnered applause and laughter from the audience.
Thus, rallying an army of creators to deliberately design memes to win over voters is a risky endeavor, especially when voters seem disinterested in the elections and the two main candidates.
