WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT 'CATEGORY 5 COMMUNICATIONS'

"Pat Bergeron has worked for me on many projects including and since my first campaign for Governor... top notch political mind"

FORMER GOVERNOR MIKE FOSTER


"The internet strategies and tactics deployed by 'Category 5' were a critical element in John McCain's huge margin of victory in Louisiana... strictly cutting edge"

FORMER GOVERNOR BUDDY ROEMER (John McCain Presidential Campaign Chairman for Louisiana)


"The main Category 5 Communications website LaNewsLink.com is required daily reading by the Louisiana Congressional staffs on Capitol Hill"

CONGRESSMAN RODNEY ALEXANDER (LA-5th District)


"Bergeron is riding the wave of the future using the tools of the new media... 'Category 5' is a good name for it... he can spin-up a huge political storm in about 5 seconds"

BERNIE PINSONAT, Pollster and Veteran Political Analyst


"Cat 5 is a must for any candidate that wants a fast and effective internet element to their campaign"

HILLAR MOORE, District Attorney (East Baton Rouge Parish)


“Category 5 has been professional, timely, and a state-of-the-art consulting business for assistance with legislative projects and grass-roots efforts”

RANDY K. HAYNIE, Longtime Louisiana Lobbyist (Haynie & Associates)


"When I have used Bergeron on projects, what can I say? We won... Missions accomplished"

LANE GRIGSBY, Successful Louisiana Businessman and Civic Leader


"I am in the unique position of having had "Category 5" both for me and against me. When Cat 5 was with me, the margin of victory mirrored that of my margin of defeat when the storm was against me. The impact on the opinion leaders at the community level is both tangible and undeniable"

DAN CLAITOR, State Senator- District 16 (and loser in East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Race)


"Web communication has become a critical component in all campaigns. Cat 5 Gets It Done... It Is Web Communications"

ROY FLETCHER, Political Media Consultant and Campaign Strategist


"TOP NOTCH, STATE-OF-THE-ART, CUTTING EDGE, EFFECTIVE, MISSIONS ACCOMPLISHED, IMPACT UNDENIABLE, CAT 5 GETS IT DONE!"

To Contact CATEGORY 5 COMMUNICATIONS:

Category 5 Communications
6554 Florida Boulevard, Suite 225
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896-4797

PHONE:

225-405-6296

EMAIL

cpbmsb@msn.com

PRIMARY WEBSITE:

http://www.lanewslink.com/
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Experts Say Internet Drives, Shapes Political Arena

by Scott Rogers - The Ouachita Citizen (excerpt)

More and more people today are getting their political news over the Internet. One person who can attest to the Internet's popularity in this manner is Pat Bergeron, who owns and operates the web site www.lanewslink.com. Bergeron also owns and operates the consulting firm, Category 5 Communications.

University of Louisiana-Monroe's Dr. John Sutherlin, an assistant professor of political science, agrees the Internet has become a powerful tool in the field of political campaigns.

"The Internet has altered the political landscape in much the same way that television did decades ago," Sutherlin said. "Candidates today don't just have websites, but are on Facebook or MySpace."

"They use the Internet to gather support and raise lots of campaign dollars," Sutherlin explained. "Many, though, have taken the approach that since the Internet is largely unregulated, they can push the boundaries in, for example, YouTube, with advertising that could never run on television. The Internet has further decentralized our political process by making it more democratic and accessible for politicians and citizens alike."

Bergeron, a Baton Rouge-based political consultant for more than 30 years, started his web site about four years ago to "take full advantage of the power of the online community in matters of public policy and politics."

Bergeron has worked in more than 100 political campaigns. He said the popularity of the Internet has changed how campaigns are run and public policy is influenced. Today, candidates must hire someone to manage their Internet presence just as they would hire a consultant for other forms of media. "It also opens up a whole different avenue for creative talent," Bergeron said. "Everything is different now because of the Internet. It has such a vital role in campaigns."

Bergeron began his web site with a list of 8,000 people who are currently involved in the political arena around the Baton Rouge area. Now, that "opinion leader database" has grown to over 28,000 people all over the state.

A recent Pew Research survey found that more than one third of the electorate receives the majority of their political information from the Internet, Bergeron said. "The online community in its many diverse forms is quickly evolving into the primary place where public opinion is tested and shaped," he said. "This (medium) helps get your word out to the people who are most interested. They are all over the Internet."

Bergeron works with groups such as Blueprint Louisiana, La Ethics1, Louisiana School Choice and the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce to spread their message about certain issues. Political candidates also use Bergeron's firm to reach voters during their campaigns.

"Over the past few years, working with the best public relations people in the state, this firm has counted among its clients dozens of successful political candidates from governor to police juror," he said.

He said it is all about building a fan base for political candidates as well as any issue that is important to people. "Political campaigning on the Internet is no longer about just setting up a web site and hoping the voters visit it," Bergeron said.