Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of political consulting in a rapidly changing world. From emerging technologies and digital strategies to shifts in voter behavior and campaign compliance, we’ll dive deep into the trends shaping elections of tomorrow. Whether you’re a political strategist, campaign manager, or curious about the future of democracy, this podcast offers insights from top industry experts and thought leaders on what’s next for the world of political consulting.
The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is a bipartisan membership organization that represents professionals working in the political consulting industry. It provides resources, networking opportunities, and professional development for consultants involved in political campaigns, public affairs, and political communication, while promoting ethical standards and best practices in the field.
Latest Episodes
The Future of Media Production with Melanie McGhee
In an era where attention is fleeting and the competition for voter engagement is fierce, the role of media production in political campaigns has never been more critical. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie McGhee from MeanGreen Media to explore the evolution of political ad production. From automated video editing to hyper-personalized messaging, we’ll discuss the cutting-edge tools redefining campaign media and what’s next in the rapidly evolving landscape of political advertising.
Womens Role in Shaping Future Elections, Part 2: Voter Perceptions & Political Realities
Women candidates have made historic gains in political representation, yet challenges persist. In this episode our guest, Larissa Martinez (Women’s Public Leadership Network) and host, Amanda Iovino (Republican Pollster) examine how gender shapes voter perceptions, campaign strategies, and election outcomes. Our expert guests explore whether voters hold women to different standards, how media portrayal influences public opinion, and how partisan divides affect attitudes toward women in leadership. They’ll also discuss strategies to counter gender bias and how generational shifts are redefining the future of women in politics.
Women’s Role in Shaping Future Elections with Jennifer Lawless
In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Lawless, a leading authority on gender and politics, to explore the critical role women are playing in reshaping the political consulting landscape. We’ll dive into her research on political ambition, the evolving participation of women in political leadership, and how these changes are impacting campaign strategies. Jennifer brings her wealth of knowledge to discuss the barriers women face in political consulting, the importance of mentorship and representation, and the shifting voter dynamics that consultants must understand to succeed in the future. As gender dynamics continue to influence voter behavior and candidate selection, Jennifer offers a compelling look at what these trends mean for political consultants and strategists.
The Future of Data-Driven Politics with Sara Fagen
In this episode, we talk to Sara Fagen, CEO of Deep Root Analytics and former White House Political Director, to examine how technological advancements are reshaping the political consulting industry. With elections becoming increasingly data-driven, campaigns must adapt quickly to digital disruptions while staying true to strategic fundamentals. Sara talks about her journey through the industry and shares her expert perspective on how consultants can harness data, media, and emerging tech to build winning campaigns in today’s fast-paced political environment.
Exploring the Realignment of the American Electorate with Patrick Ruffini
This episode features Patrick Ruffini, renowned GOP pollster and author of Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP – a book that the NY Times’ Ezra Klein wrote: “predicted the 2024 Election.”
This episode is hosted by the co-chairs of AAPC’s New York Metro Chapter, Bradley Honan and Chapin Fay. Bradley is CEO & President of Honan Strategy Group, a Democratic polling and data analytics firm and Chapin is a seasoned Republican communications strategist and Founder of Lighthouse Public Affairs. This conversation will delve into the electoral realignments shaping American politics, as reflected in the 2024 election.
Ruffini’s analysis has been at the forefront of understanding the seismic shifts in voter coalitions, including the growing educational divide and the Republican Party’s unexpected gains among Black, Hispanic, and Asian voters. This episode will help listeners understand the dynamics of contemporary politics and the future of partisan coalitions.
The Future of Political Strategy in the Disinformation Era with Sasha Issenberg
In this episode, we welcome journalist and political strategist Sasha Issenberg to discuss his new book The Lie Detectives and how disinformation is transforming modern campaigns. This conversation focuses on the future of political strategy in a world where the traditional rules of engagement are constantly being challenged by misleading digital content. We’ll examine how the fight against misinformation is reshaping political consulting, from the strategies used by digital teams to the ethical considerations campaign managers must navigate.
This episode will arm political consultants, campaign managers, and strategists with the tools to navigate the challenges of disinformation, while also preparing for the ethical, technological, and strategic dilemmas that lie ahead in political consulting.
The Final Stretch: Finding the Voters Who Will Flip the Script – October 15, 2024
In the final weeks leading up to Election Day, gaining an edge in the race to win comes down to precisely targeting the voters who will make the difference. Join Jackie Huelbig (Basis Technologies) and Paul Westcott (L2) as they explore the science behind creating a data-driven model to reach the universe of voters who are likely to return their ballots and shape the outcome of your race. Drawing on L2’s 50+ years of experience in voter data, Paul also shares how the evolution of voter engagement—from basic targeting to advanced hyper-targeting and AI-driven insights—has changed the game and where things are headed.
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From Memes to Movements: Inside the Campaign-Influencer Collaboration- September 27, 2024
In this episode, the AAPC brings you a discussion on the intersection of politics and social media influence. Join Kelly Gibson and Ryan Davis and learn the ins and outs of collaborating with social media influencers and how these partnerships are shaping the modern political landscape. From navigating the complexities of online engagement to understanding the impact of influencer partnerships, join us for an exciting episode where we chat with experienced consultants about the fascinating world of influencers in politics!
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