Episode 5: Lobbyists Under the Microscope

Julien Hoez of The French Dispatch explains how he turned a niche blog on French politics into a roaring success, how to become a Social Media Champion, and more importantly, how to manage a Social Media Champion. This being Pluxcast, we then discuss whether the College of Europe is killing the Eurobubble. Pluxcast is sponsored by Eurobrussels - Brussels premier resource for job-searching and career making.

Former Conservative Party foreign policy advisor, Wilfried Martens Centre visiting fellow, and all-round internet celebrity Garvan Walshe joins us this week. From his work lobbying for arms for Ukraine, to the current needs of the Ukrainian army, to think-tanking for the EPP and through to tech policy, Garvan's veteran insight is simply unmissable. And yes, we do talk about Brexit within the first 20 seconds. Pluxcast is now sponsored by Eurobrussels - Brussels premier resource for job-searching and career making.

The new year saw an explosion of interest in ChatGPT and the usage of AI in the workplace. Ever fashionable, we invited Gianmaria Sisti, Head of Digital at Edelman and one of Brussels' foremost digital innovators, to sit down and tell us about how AI will change the workplace, how to get the best out of ChatGPT, and where digital trends are taking us. And perhaps more importantly; will AI's replace us all?

Veteran lobbyist Sydney Nash sits down with Patrick and Connor to share insight on UN level lobbying, lessons to be learned for Brussels, and his key principles to make you a better influencer.

We're joined by Sarah Wheaton, a journalist covering lobbying and influence for Politico, to discuss the role of the media in lobbying, how transparent Europe is, how transparent Europe can be, and the differences between EU and US lobbying.

We're joined by CEFIC's Maria Linkova-Nijs to talk about the role Trade Associations play in Brussels and the challenges of managing comms in a membership organisation. 

We sat down with leading Brussels comms experts Laura Shields (@mediawhizz) and Adrian Hiel (@AdrianHiel) to talk about how good comms are the key to policy success, why your approvals process is your worst enemy and how to talk about climate change in a way people actually understand. 

Patrick and Connor discuss the interview with Sebastian about social and digital media impact on Government Affairs. What have we learned and what can we implement? 

Connor and Patrick talk to Sebastián Rodríguez, founder of campaignplaybook.eu about how evolutions in digital and social media are shaping public affairs in Europe. 

In this first episode of Pluxcast, Connor and Patrick talk about why they have started this podcast, why transparency in lobbying is so important - and what needs to change in the public affairs profession in Brussels.