Essence.com to Launch Election Central 2008 with Expansive Live Coverage of Democratic and Republican National Conventions Website to Feature Live Streaming, Blogging, Exclusive Interviews and In-Depth Analysis from Experts, Politicians, Celebrities, and Voters Essence.com today announced the launch of Election Central 2008, the online destination for comprehensive Presidential campaign reporting, starting immediately with expansive live coverage of the Democratic and Republication National Conventions. Election Central 2008 debuts today on Essence.com from the Democratic National Convention and will feature live streaming of the Convention's primetime speakers (presented in partnership with CNN.com), daily video recaps of Convention highlights, up-to-the-minute blogging, photo galleries and exclusive interviews and expert commentary from politicians, celebrities, and voters. During the Conventions and beyond, a special section entitled "Election Talk" will spotlight opinions of politicos and dignitaries from Bishop Desmond Tutu, Donna Brazile, Amy Holmes and Michael Steele, to celebrities such as actress Kerry Washington and hip-hop artist/activist will.i.am. "With the launch of Election Central 2008, Essence.com is committed to developing the go-to source for politics, voting and the road to the White House," commented ESSENCE Editor-inChief Angela Burt-Murray. "ESSENCE offers a unique perspective during this historic and exciting Presidential campaign and we invite our powerful audience of 8.5 million to stay abreast of the key issues and join the discussion via Essence.com." ESSENCE News Editor Cynthia Gordy and ESSENCE Deputy Editor Tatsha Robertson comprise the team providing detailed notes and analysis from the Convention Floor; covering both the political and social scene in Denver and Minneapolis. Additionally, the online content for Election Central 2008 will be rounded out with interactive polls, message boards and "Election 101" forums. About Essence Communications Inc.: Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is "Where Black Women Come First". The company's flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for AfricanAmerican women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD) via Essence Studios. For 38 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.5 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women's lives. Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at essence.com.
Source: Essence Communications, Inc.