White House Looks to Add a Spanish-Language Web Site

Source: The Wall Street Journal

June 11, 2009

Kristina Peterson reports on the White House.

The White House is gearing up to launch a Spanish-language version of its Web site, whitehouse.gov, by the end of the year.

Rock Creek Strategic Marketing, which is helping with recruiting, posted four jobs this week that would expand the White House new media office, including a job for a Spanish-language writer and producer. “They’re hoping that by the end of the year - if not sooner - they can have a Spanish-language version of Whitehouse.gov launched,” said Scott Johnson, co-owner of the Washington communications firm.

The site now has only biographies of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives translated into Spanish.

“The president and the administration use new Web-based tools to keep the public updated on important issues, promote transparency, and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement,” an administration official said. “We are constantly looking at ways we can strengthen and expand the White House’s online program.”

Would-be hires should be prepared, the ad warns: “Long work hours and short deadlines will be the norm.”