Mike Bloomberg created a Tech Firm months before he announced his Bid for the White House. The Technology Company is called Hawkfish, with Former Executives from Facebook and Foursquare, which is helping Bloomberg’s 2020 Presidential Bid. Hawkfish has No Public Website. Soon after Hawkfish Incorporated in the Spring, it started working on Races in Virginia and Kentucky, where Democrats scored Key Victories.
Bloomberg is the First Candidate who has the Resources to Challenge RNC’s Data Operation.
Hawkfish will be the “primary digital agency and technology services provider for the campaign,” Julie Wood, a Bloomberg Campaign Spokeswoman, said. She added that the Firm “is now providing digital ad services, including content creation, ad placement and analytics” for their campaign. It will also help Democratic races across the country in future election cycles, she said.
While it is Unusual for a Presidential Candidate to turn to a Company he Founded for Assistance, Ethics Experts say Bloomberg’s move does Not Break Federal Election Commission Laws. “I would say nothing shows a red flag as far as a violation,” Paul S. Ryan, Vice President of Policy and Litigation at Common Cause. “If he sincerely had not made up his mind to run when he made this company to help Democrats, it’s fine. Going forward, the campaign would have to pay fair market value to the company in goods that he’s receiving.”
It’s Not entirely clear where the Company is Based. Using Research Company Accurint, CNBC Reporters went to a New York Address that was Associated with Hawkfish. At the address, 909 Third Avenue, an Attendant at the Front Desk said No Business named Hawkfish existed there. The Bloomberg Campaign Spokeswoman said the Address, which is about a Five-Minute Walk from Bloomberg’s namesake Company, was Only used for receiving Paperwork. The Address is the same as Mike Bloomberg’s Longtime Accountant, Geller & Company.
Bloomberg has Prioritized Data Analytics in his Business and Public Life. Bloomberg LP, a Financial Services and Data Company, rose to Success on the Strength of its “Terminals,” or Data Hubs. He relied on a Data-Driven Approach through his 12 years as Mayor of New York City, the Nation’s Largest City.
He is known to use the Phrase, “In God we trust. Everyone else bring data,” and is Selling Merchandise with the Slogan on his Campaign Website.
In 2019, Bloomberg and his Aides started to reach out to Business Leaders in the Tech World to start Exploring the Idea of making a Company that could help Democrats and combat Trump. Bloomberg himself met with the likes of longtime Silicon Valley Investor Ron Conway and New York-based Venture Capitalist Fred Wilson.
Conway said that he spoke with Bloomberg about the necessity of creating a Digital Counterweight to Trump and the Republican Party. “It’s clear to me and other tech leaders that Trump and the GOP are better at creating and sharing engaging online content than anyone on the Democratic side,” Conway said in explaining his Conversation with Bloomberg. “If we want to win in 2020 and beyond, we need to master the digital medium in our own effective way, including efficiently registering voters and sharing compelling content with the right audiences. The battle is being waged online and so far Democrats have been out-matched — if Mike can help us catch up, that will make a big difference.”
Soon after Hawkfish Incorporated in the Spring, it started Working on behalf of Democratic Groups involved in Races in Virginia and Kentucky.
In November, Democrats Won Control of the Virginia Statehouse for the First time in more than Two Decades. Bloomberg’s Gun Control Group, Everytown for Gun Safety, Outspent the National Rifle Association in Virginia and has received Credit for helping Democrats Flip the Legislature.
In Kentucky, Democrat Andy Beshear narrowly Defeated Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. The State had favored Trump by about 30 Percentage Points in 2016.
Hawkfish’s Leadership Ranks include longtime Facebook Chief Marketing Officer Gary Briggs, who recently Posted on his Social Media page that he is now a Digital Director at “Mike Bloomberg 2020,” and Jeff Glueck, Former CEO of Location-Tracking Firm Foursquare.
Glueck said on Twitter that he was Moving Over to Hawkfish Full Time after working as an Advisor for a Few Months. He noted that the Firm had Worked for State-Level Democratic Campaigns but said the Company’s First “Major” Customer was Bloomberg’s Campaign for President. He announced on Twitter earlier in December that he was leaving Foursquare.
Glueck also hinted that other Former Silicon Valley Players were with the Group but did not elaborate. One of the Hawkfish Advisors is Tom Secunda, a Co-Founder of Bloomberg LP. The Company Website says he played a Key Role in Developing the Bloomberg Terminal.
According to Glueck and a Bloomberg Employee who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk with the media, Hawkfish Employees are Working around the Clock to Assemble the Start-Up. “And warning, this is a seven-day-a-week workplace through Super Tuesday and beyond,” Glueck wrote in a post on Twitter. “Everyone was told you are not going to be taking any vacation between now and the end of this. Anything you need to do in your personal life, do it before you go over there.”
Some Employees of Bloomberg’s Namesake Company are also doing Work for Hawkfish, which is Paying Bloomberg LP for allowing Employees to Work with the New Firm. Wood, the Campaign Spokeswoman, said Many of the Hawkfish Employees who are providing Services to Bloomberg’s Political Operation are working out of his Campaign Headquarters in New York.
The Bloomberg Campaign is posting Hawkfish Jobs on its Website, including Graphic Designer, Copywriter, Video Editor, and Senior Software Engineer.
As an Elected Official for 12 years in New York, as a Member of the New York City Independence Party, as County and State Committee Member, and AT-Large Member of the Executive Board, I represented the 73rd Assembly District (Eastside of Manhattan), and carried Mike's Petitions for All Three of his Campaigns for Mayor.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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