As the battle for 2016 heats up, Stephanie Stamm looked at how Obama managed to burn through a billion dollars in running for President:

• In 2012 Obama spent over $700 million on advertizing alone.
• A few media industry giants got a lion’s share of the revenues from the campaign. Obama’s top advertizing firm got close to $400 million.
• Consultants also raked in the cash. A direct marketing consultant group made $30 million from the campaign.
• And then there are administrative services. American Express provided $2.3 million worth of services.
• The life of a candidate and their team is hectic. United Airlines was team Obama’s carrier of choice and made $1.1 million even though the President has access to his own jet.
• And there are, of course, the late night strategy and debate prep sessions. Domino’s catered for these, getting close to $10,000 in the process.
• The campaign staff was, however, dangerously uncaffeinated, spending only $500 at Starbucks.
• Kitty Purry – Katy Perry’s production company – was paid $128,000 though it’s unclear why.
• This analysis doesn’t even count the amount spent by “Super PACs”. In 2012 they spent $580 million. In 2016 that’s projected to increase to $1.8 billion.
• With the incredible number of Presidential candidates this election cycle, 2016 is likely to break all fund raising records.

See some really well done charts, and read more details here.

Source: National Journal