Marketing Secrets of Campaign '08

(MoneyWatch) 

Many of us might have battle fatigue from this year's longer-than-ever presidential campaign. But don't tune out the tactical analysis just yet. Marketing a candidate is simply that — he or she is selling a product, a brand, and a message, not unlike any other product or service. Political campaigns, in fact, can teach private sector marketers more than first meets the eye.

Here's a look at what the 2008 candidates have done — or are still doing in the home stretch — that businesses can steal for their own marketing playbooks.

• Click with Millennials through Multiple Channels
• Adjust Your Messaging on the Fly
• Discover Your Base of Influencers — and Put Them to Work
• Give Your Logo Power Beyond Words
• Obama v. McCain — Online!
• Video: What Political Campaigns Can Teach Business
• J. Crew, Bluefly, Other Retailers Capitalize on Election Mania