Over 200 content creators are granted special convention access by Democrats.

• This week, in Chicago, more than 200 digital content creators were granted "creator credentials" to attend the Democratic National Convention.
• Kamala Harris' presidential campaign is leveraging social media influencers to reach young voters who primarily consume news on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, capitalizing on the viral support she and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have garnered online.
• Several content creators, including Logan Paul, the Nelk Boys, and Adin Ross, have collaborated with former President Donald Trump, and he has also participated in an interview with Elon Musk on X.

This week, over 200 digital content creators will be present at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with "creator credentials" that will grant them exclusive access to the party's convention.

The Democratic National Convention Committee's director of digital strategy, Cayana Mackey-Nance, stated in a CNBC interview that inviting creators to our convention will increase our reach and enable everyone to observe democracy in action.

Individuals who generate income by publishing sponsored content on the internet are referred to as creators. Unlike traditional journalists, they do not claim to be impartial and do not adhere to the ethical standards of journalism.

For the first time in Democratic nominating convention history, a dedicated group of creators has been formally elevated.

The innovative media strategy of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign reflects her campaign's priorities.

A third of adults under 30 regularly get their news on TikTok, according to Pew Research Center. This demographic is crucial for Democratic candidates as they help the party offset the GOP's typical dominance among older voters. In 2020, Democratic President Joe Biden carried voters under 30 by a significant 24 percentage points.

The convention committee is granting these creators exclusive access to the week's events and guests, and will have full-time staff working with them to facilitate their involvement with the Harris campaign and the DNC's digital partnerships team.

The DNC has constructed a platform on the convention floor for creators to engage with the event, which is similar to traditional television network platforms and is specifically designed for creators to produce content, take selfies, and interview attendees.

Elizabeth Booker Houston, a content creator attending the convention, stated that we are being given a separate opportunity that values the professionalism and skills of journalists while recognizing the unique contributions of content creators.

Houston is a lawyer and comedian with over half a million followers on different platforms. She produces videos that simplify the most recent legal and political news for her audience, making it easier to comprehend.

The convention organizers will not compensate content creators for attending the event or producing content while they are there. As with traditional journalists, the content creators will be responsible for their own transportation and lodging expenses.

Some creators are securing sponsorships from advertisers to offset costs. Houston announced she will produce sponsored content for the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, a political action committee funded by members of Congress who belong to the caucus.

The DNCC is collaborating with remote creators to grant them access to the convention and participate virtually.

At the United Center, credentialed creators have access to an exclusive lounge where they can work on their content, record podcast interviews, and connect with other creators.

The Republican National Convention granted access to over 70 influencers in mid-July in Milwaukee, just like the DNC.

"Gary Vaynerchuk, Chairman of VaynerX, stated in a recent interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box" that social media has the attention of the end consumer on a scale that our society continues to underestimate."

Social media played a significant role in two of the most movement-driven presidential elections of the last 40 years, as he pointed out.

"According to Vaynerchuk, the Obama and Trump wins, eight years apart, were a result of social media. The Obama campaign's successful use of Facebook in 2008 foreshadowed Trump's use of Twitter in 2016."

Winning elections requires the ability to create, communicate, and execute a plan, according to him.

Apart from party conventions, presidential campaigns are also engaging with content creators during this election cycle.

Several content creators, including Logan Paul, the Nelk Boys and Adin Ross, have collaborated with former President Donald Trump.

The Harris campaign has gained popularity on social media, earning hundreds of millions of views for videos such as an unscripted video of Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, ordering Mexican food.

The White House has invited influencers to promote its achievements on social media. Biden recently hosted 100 digital content creators at the White House for the first-ever Creator Economy Conference.

"Biden told the creators, "You are the new possibilities and the breakthrough in how we communicate.""