Audience Polling

Instantaneous audience polling was perhaps the most interesting (and certainly the most geeky) aspect of last night's debate. With my mouth agape, I watched with fascination as the networks used instant audience polling to gauge the reaction of the undecided. It was an eye-opener (as well as a jaw-dropper). Technological advances--whether it be wireless transmission of data or real-time charting--have brought audience polling to the forefront of the hair-trigger world in which we live ...

We might be accustomed to audience polling as part of an interactive game show, seminar, or classroom setting, but of a political event?

Now that's entertainment!

The audience response companies claim that their polling systems provide instant feedback. After seeing last night's display, I can't dispute that fact. When the undecided act as public lab rats--televised for all to see--the electorate can shift in many ways.

If your company is considering the purchase of an audience response system, you may want to check into the economics of rental, as well. Audience polling companies include Audience Response Solutions, Genieve Systems, Meridia, Padgett Communications, Reply Systems, TCM Communications, Vistacom, and many others.