You can now add Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to your circle of friends on Google+.
Earlier this week, Google announced that brands could now create their own Google+ fan page. Emanuel, who was elected mayor of Chicago earlier this year and served as President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, became the first city executive to take advantage of the policy.
“This is an exciting new way for us to continue an open, public dialogue with Chicagoans and the 40 million people using Google+,” Emanuel said in the press release. “We will continue to search for new, innovative ways for the public to stay connected and hold government accountable.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Emanuel had 259 followers. However, activity on the site has been slow, with only three posts this week. (Perhaps the creator of the fake @MayorEmanuel account can liven things up a bit.)
Emanuel has heavily utilized social media since taking office in May, embracing Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. He isn’t the only politician to take to Google+, though. Others quickly followed suit, including a handful of the Republican presidential primary contenders. The most prominent user thus far has been Herman Cain, who has been active on Google+ for weeks.
It’s unclear at this point who actually gains more from the partnership. The politicians lend Google+ some sorely needed clout in the social media sphere, while the site offers a valuable avenue to connect with voters in return. Expect for that relationship to only strengthen over the next year.
In fact, beginning Nov. 15, Fox News’s Special Report will host a series of Google+ Hangouts with GOP presidential candidates.
Photo by swanksalot