Think Tank Aims Mobile Healthcare Ads at Supreme Court

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A conservative think tank is planning to target mobile ads to reporters and conservative activists converging on Washington, D.C. for Supreme Court arguments to be heard Monday in relation to the Affordable Care Act case.

American Action Forum, a policy think tank that supports the case to overturn the new healthcare law, will aim ads to mobile devices from Monday through Wednesday during specific morning and afternoon hours when people are expected to be outside the Supreme Court Building and other key spots.

"Our goal is to reach conservative activists attending the hearings as well as the media covering them," said Christopher Georgia, digital director at American Action Forum, the think tank associated with the American Action Network

Mobile search and display ad messaging will position the forum as a leading intellectual force in arguing against President Obama's signature healthcare law. The organization has filed three amicus briefs backing its stance. The ads will link to a page featuring those briefs, in the hopes of generating media coverage of the group and its arguments. In addition to the area around the court, the forum will target ads to the Capitol and the 400 N Capitol building, home to several media outlets. The court is expected to be packed and to generate lots of buzz outside.

"We're trying to get that message out there and use mobile advertising as a tool for reporters to see this," said Georgia. The group's president will also be present outside after oral arguments when reporters are seeking interview subjects.

Georgia said the forum is spending "four digits" on the three-day effort. Though a relatively small expenditure, he believes the ads will reach their intended targets.

"The forum is getting involved in this because of the economics of the case," said Georgia. "There's an economic argument to be made on why the Affordable Care Act is not the correct policy approach to this."

The forum may decided to extend the mini-campaign, he added.