Learning how to navigate and advocate for your business clients in a contentious political environment can be challenging – but it’s important. In fact, it might be as key to your success as it is to theirs. 

Our public affairs experts provided attendees with an understanding of some of the ins-and-outs of communication strategies, advocacy successes (and failures!), and election-time crises that impact clients. Attendees learned how to work within all of these elements, how to represent their clients well, and how to get the win they need. 

This webinar has been archived for playback. AAPC members can click here to view all webinar archives. 

Key Lessons from the Webinar: 

• How to successfully engage in public affairs activities for clients in a divisive political climate: Within our particularly divisive political climate, public affairs professionals are noticing a heightened intersection between politics and business. The key is for public affairs professionals to assist their clients in becoming proactive rather than reactive when it comes to having a presence in the social and political space. This can mean actively engaging in their community, building relationships with legislators and key influencers, and building goodwill with the public before a potential problem arises. 

• Do the research before creating a project deployment plan: Before you can decide which strategies to deploy in order to achieve your and your clients’ goals, you have to do research – research to understand the environment you are in, the audiences you are targeting, and what those audience members think of the brand or issue you are working for. Assumptions are dangerous, and if you begin work based on assumptions, you may find yourself down a rabbit hole with unwanted results.
• Lessons learned over years of experience: Our two speakers shared the most important lessons they have learned over their many years of working in public affairs. The most important lesson they agreed on? Maintaining message discipline! Ensuring that all stakeholders and messengers are, and remain, on the same page when it comes to messaging can be the potential breaking point in your work, regardless of the strategies and tactics you’ve deployed. 

Access the full recording to learn more about how to better represent your public affairs clients. Accompanying handouts are also available within the webinar recording.

This webinar is eligible for credit* toward AAPC’s Business Fundamentals Certificate program. Learn more about the Certificate program here. 

*Business Fundamentals Certificate Program registrants who attend this webinar in its entirety will be awarded one (1) C1 Business & Growth Planning credit.