White House's Newest Social Tool: Pinterest

Social Studies: Obama vs. Romney

The White House will take its next step into social media with a "holiday social" on Pinterest, a website for sharing photos and Web content.

The White House's Office of Digital Strategy announced its latest online presence in a blog post on Whitehouse.gov. Selected Pinterest users will be invited to the White House on Dec. 17 to view the holiday decor, participate in a craft project, and share the experience with others via Pinterest.

The Obama campaign team launched Pinterest pages earlier this year for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The latest Pinterest account will focus on topics ranging from life in the White House, including the holiday party, to policy matters.

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Pinterest lets users share content and comment on what's been posted via online "pinboards." The Air Force, Army, Navy and NASA are among the federal departments and agencies with Pinterest pages.

The White House has held other "socials" that combine in-person meetings with a social media component on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Earlier this year, President Obama participated in a Google+ Hangout, a real-time video meeting, from the West Wing of the White House with citizens in Illinois, New Jersey and Texas. He also has participated in online town halls on Twitter.

Kori Schulman, director of online engagement with the White House Office of Digital Strategy, described the new Pinterest account as another step in open government and, in particular, in opening the White House to the public.

More than 90,000 visitors are expected to tour the White House during the 2012 holiday season. In 2009, the administration began releasing the names of White House visitors. In August 2012, the number of visitor records released so far surpassed 2.5 million.

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