Public Affairs Trends

In this episode, Speak4 Founder and CEO Joe Mansour discusses why so many public affairs campaigns falter by treating grassroots mobilization as an episodic, one-off sprint rather than an ongoing engagement strategy. Drawing on two decades of public affairs and digital advocacy experience, Mansour outlines the framework for "Advocacy 365"—a year-round operational model that maintains constituent relationships between legislative fights through story banking, surveys, and multi-channel communication. He examines the steep engagement penalties organizations pay when leaving supporter lists dormant, explains why metrics like Advocate Lifetime Value (ALV) outperform traditional acquisition costs, and illustrates how AI should serve as an administrative assistant rather than a replacement for authentic constituent voices.

We break down the post-election landscape for public affairs teams, from lame-duck priorities and congressional oversight to leadership changes and 2027 state sessions. He also revisits October's conversations with Nicole Schlinger, Max Fose, Chazz Clevinger, and Jonathan Rick, closing with five practical steps to prepare for what's next.

On Public Affairs Trends, Washington-based ghostwriter and Wikipedia consultant Jonathan Rick discusses why Wikipedia has become the primary source shaping how artificial intelligence models perceive companies and executives. Rick explains the critical distinction between business accomplishment and editorial notability, outlines the strict conflict-of-interest rules public affairs professionals must follow when requesting corrections, and details key red flags organizations should watch for when vetting reputation management consultants.

In this episode, Neil speaks with Chazz Clevenger, founder and CEO of Civiclick, a digital advocacy technology and data company. We delve into the pervasive influence of AI in public affairs, dissecting where the technology offers genuine value versus merely creating "noise." Clevenger, with two decades of experience in advocacy tech, explains how AI can revolutionize advocate messaging by enabling personalized, authentic communication at scale, moving beyond generic form letters.  He also highlights AI's impact on policy intelligence and targeted outreach while cautioning against its overuse in recruitment. The conversation addresses the critical risk of AI-generated "astroturf" and stresses the importance of human verification and ethical practices to maintain credibility with legislative offices.  Clevenger advises advocacy teams to focus AI on empowering authentic advocate voices and never to surrender strategic judgment or human relationships to machines, emphasizing that true impact comes from amplifying, not fabricating, human stories.

In this episode of the Public Affair Trends Podcast, host interviews Max Fose, President and CEO of Fose + McKay, a national marketing and public affairs agency. Max shares insights from his 26-year career, discussing how the fundamentals of communication—his '3 C's' of creative, consistent content—remain crucial despite radical shifts in delivery platforms, from email to social media and AI.  He emphasizes the increased value of agencies understanding diverse disciplines like marketing, voter data, and media, highlighting the fast-paced nature of political campaigns. Fose also explores the challenges and opportunities presented by fragmented media, the rise of influencer marketing, and the role of data and AI in tailoring messages, while stressing the paramount importance of credibility in an era of instant content generation and potential misinformation. He also offers advice to younger practitioners on gaining experience and building a long-term, trusted reputation in public affairs.

This episode features Nicole Schlinger, founder and president of Campaign HQ, discussing the evolution of public affairs. She emphasizes the diminishing impact of traditional, top-down communication strategies in the current climate of declining trust and rising misinformation, especially on hyperlocal issues like data center development. Schlinger advocates for identifying supporters and persuadable audiences earlier, leveraging human-to-human interaction through tools like telephone town halls, live calls, and texting to engage effectively, facilitate respectful dialogue, and understand authentic public opinion, proving that direct human connection remains vital amidst digital saturation and increasing polarization.

In October's First Friday edition of Public Affairs Trends, host Neil Hughes revisits conversations with Katie Harbath, Gerry Gunster, and Megan Bloomgren. Their insights explore preparing for difficult decisions, understanding the people behind the data, and building credible coalitions. Together, they highlight why listening, trust, and sound judgment remain essential as technology changes how public affairs professionals work. Neil also covers Zack Laven's promotion to principal at Fulcrum, new Public Affairs Council research showing widespread AI adoption but limited formal measurement, and a Virginia experiment testing text messaging alongside door-to-door canvassing. The episode examines a shared challenge across these stories: determining whether new tools and increased activity produce meaningful results.

In this episode, host delves into the complex intersection of technology, politics, and public trust with guest Katie Harbath. Harbath, former head of Facebook's global elections work and author of "Disrupting Politics," shares insights from her front-row seat to pivotal moments like the 2016 election and Cambridge Analytica. She discusses the 'impossible trade-offs' leaders face, the unintended incentives of the social media era, and the emerging challenges and opportunities presented by AI in political campaigns. Harbath introduces her concept of 'panic responsibly' for navigating rapid technological change and emphasizes the critical role of individual agency and transparency in shaping the future of democracy amidst evolving digital landscapes.

Gerry Gunster, CEO of Gunster Strategies Worldwide, breaks down the evolution of political persuasion from the era of "Harry and Louise" to modern digital warfare. He explains why data-driven targeting can never replace qualitative listening and reveals the strategic missteps that led to the Brexit referendum result.

Megan Bloomgren, a partner at DCI Group, discusses the profound shifts in public affairs over her nearly 30-year career. She highlights the constant need for strategic positioning and action, emphasizing how data now accelerates these efforts. Bloomgren shares insights from her work transforming the American Petroleum Institute's narrative and advising top leaders through challenging transitions. She explains how effective public affairs requires strong judgment, data fluency, and a focus on demonstrable outcomes. The episode delves into building authentic coalitions and the importance of integrated C-suite strategies to manage reputation and political risk. Bloomgren expresses excitement about AI's potential to revolutionize data analysis, audience segmentation, and content creation, calling herself a "data nerd" proud of the industry's dynamic evolution.