Trump campaign plans digital ad campaign during Democratic convention

[August 17, 2020]  By Jason Lange

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's re-election campaign will sink millions of dollars into a digital ad campaign next week during the Democratic presidential convention, a Trump campaign spokesman said on Saturday.

The Democratic National Convention begins on Monday and will conclude on Thursday with former Vice President Joe Biden formally accepting his party's nomination to take on Trump in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said the ad purchases could total more than $10 million and the expenditure will be at least in the high-seven figures. Some digital ads can include extra charges based on engagement.

The ad purchases, which were first reported by the New York Times, will include the Trump campaign taking over the banner of YouTube for 96 hours starting on Tuesday. The campaign will also run ads on the websites of major U.S. news outlets, Murtaugh said.

Digital ads have comprised a small share of overall advertising by the two campaigns, but the Trump campaign's purchases for next week are sizable compared with each side's recent expenditures.

On traditional media, which includes television and radio, Biden spent $14.8 million in the week of Aug. 8-14, while Trump spent $7 million, according to ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the City of New York Police Benevolent Association at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger

The Democratic convention will feature an online and televised lineup of heavyweight politicians, rising stars and everyday Americans making the case for Biden.

Biden will address the country from his home state of Delaware, after the party canceled in-person convention festivities in Milwaukee over concerns about the coronavirus epidemic.

(Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

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