By The Numbers: How Obama Out-Advertised The Competition
“…Tracey estimates that Obama spent about $250 million on ads during the general election, compared to $130 million for McCain. During the course of the entire 18-month battle, presidential campaign ad spending totaled about $700 million, up 40 percent from the $500 million that was spent four years ago.
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Obama was achieving 98 percent reach and a frequency rate of 20 to 25 exposures a week to viewers 18-plus with his messages, said Aston. McCain was reaching the same audience levels but with only about 10 exposures a week. “Obama was completely saturating those markets,”said Aston. “He got his messages across, about his character, the issues and differences between him and his opponent. And for constituents who want to learn more, he directed them to Web sites.”