Campaign Tips for #BirdOfTheYear from Team Kōkako

So what does it take to get ahead in Bird of the Year? Kōkako campaigner Oscar Thomas shares his simple six-step program to success for this year’s fast-paced competition.

1. Hatch a plan

The most essential aspect of any great campaign is planning. Start a brainstorm with your team and prepare for a long two weeks of stressful, nail-biting fun! It’s never too late to enter Bird of the Year, and if you can’t find the one you like, just ask nicely and it can be added to the line-up as well.

2. Tell everybody you know

Spread the word anywhere, anytime, to anyone who will listen! Visit schools, workplaces and retirement villages to convince the public to vote for your candidate. If you have a large family, they are always a good place to start. It might just surprise you how well people respond to this election as opposed to others…

“Pssst! Have you voted kōkako yet?”

3. Create engaging graphics and videos

One of the fun parts of being a campaign manager is coming up with ridiculous ways of getting votes. Pretty pictures work well at grabbing people’s attention, and videos can help with the convincing. Everyone has their own methods, so click here to see how Kōkako took the win last year.

4. Bribe people with cool merchandise

Holding competitions and providing incentives are a great technique to reel in potential voters. The Kōkako is lucky enough to have their very own brand of coffee, and several licensed plush toys. There are no rules against it, so give away your car if you have to! Anything to raise awareness for your special bird.

5. Get into the news

This is the linchpin tactic, and can come in very handy later on in the game. Whether your bird is featured on page 9 of the local newspaper, or scores an exclusive interview the amazing Carolyn Robinson on One’s Seven Sharp, exposure to certain demographics who don’t spend all their time online is key.

6. And most importantly, make sure to rig the vo- I mean have a good time!

Remember that if you don’t win, or even if you come in dead last, there is always next year to try again. I first joined Team Kōkako in 2010 and after two close second-place losses, we made eventually made it first across the finish line last year (legitimately).