Creative Circle media offers election app

Creative Circle media has created an election app for newspapers this fall, just in time for the election. CEO Bill Ostendorf says the app can launch in 24 hours. 

Patterned after “What’s Open” and “Honor My Grad”, the app posts basic listings for free. These include a photo, a summary from the candidate of "why I’m running." 

The platform also has customizable pricing options so candidates can enhance their listing with five one paragraph position statements, their list of endorsements,social media and a link to their website. 

The idea is to allow local news media to gain a share of the political dollars from local candidates. 

Here’s what the original form looks like: 

A two or four column widget is then embedded on the newspaper website: 

Above is the display of candidates as a searchable page.

On Election Night, newspapers can use a simple interface to plug in vote totals for each candidate. The app will generate charts and photos showing who is leading and who is the winner.

The app is selling for a flat annual fee of $350 to $750 based on the size of the market. The upsells are priced at $50 to $100. 

Ostendorf says that the app can be launched in 24 hours and is renewable every year so publishers can use it for elections year-round.

Input is manual, however it is also possible to use a feed from the state boards of elections.

So far the app has launched on 50 new websites.