It is usually done at a major press conference, or announced on television.

But Barack Obama will ignore conventional methods of announcing his running mate, instead decided to do it by text message, his campaign team has announced.

In an email sent to the Democratic presidential candidate's supporters, his campaign chief David Plouffe said people could "be the first to know" who Mr Obama would pick as his Vice President on the ticket for November's general election.

The message asked supporters to leave their names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers so they could receive a text message "the minute Barack makes his decision", which will be sometime before The Democratic National Convention on August 25. His supporters were asked to pass the email along.

Mr Obama has run a technologically sophisticated campaign throughout. Millions of dollars have been generated in online donations and mobile phones have already been a major tool in his cmapaign.

On his campaign website, supporters who log into the section Obama Mobile can download ringtones and wallpaper featuring the candidate’s voice and mug. They can also also receive regular text updates on the Illinois senator's policy positions on subjects from health to the war in Iraq.

By sending such a major news announcement as the name of his running mate on text rather than via the news media, he is able to bypass the mainstream media, instead getting his message to supporters immediately.

His Vice Presidential pick will make his debut speech at the Democratic National Convention.

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