Sinn Féin has launched a massive social media campaign to promote its new housing policy, spending over €6,000 in just one week. The party is using Facebook and Instagram to reach voters across different age groups and genders.
The campaign features 64 separate advertisements, each tailored to a specific demographic. These ads include videos from party leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty, as well as housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin, explaining the key points of their housing plan.
Sinn Féin’s new policy promises to build 300,000 homes in five years, reduce affordable home prices, and implement a three-year rent freeze. The party claims its plan is based on real data and input from banks, construction companies, and the Central Statistics Office.
To spread their message even further, Sinn Féin TDs are planning to send out 10,000 leaflets through the postal service, containing a summary of the housing plan.
The social media campaign has been strategically designed to reach different audiences. For example, some ads target young men aged 18-35 on Instagram, while others aim at women aged 35-65+ on Facebook. The party is paying special attention to Dublin, where housing prices are highest.
While Sinn Féin sees housing as a crucial issue for the next general election, their plan has faced criticism from government figures. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has called the party’s targets and claims misleading.
Despite the criticism, Sinn Féin’s social media strategy appears to be gaining traction. Some of their videos have reached up to 100,000 viewers, with younger women on Instagram showing particular interest in the content.
As the housing debate heats up, it’s clear that Sinn Féin is pulling out all the stops to get its message across to Irish voters through targeted online advertising.
According to The Journal, Sinn Féin has not yet responded to requests for more information about their campaign spending plans or the leaflet distribution.