The Hill
Democrats Seize on GOP Donor Fallout
By: Alex Gangitano 01/16/2021
“Kristin Brackemyre, director of PAC and government relations at the nonpartisan Public Affairs Council, said the corporate backlash against Republicans could be an opening for Democrats. “Democrats have an opportunity right now to reengage with the business community, and they would be wise to take it,” she said.”
Roll Call
Companies are abandoning anti-democratic politicians, but they shouldn’t abandon their PACs
By: Doug Pinkham 01/15/2021
“In a 2020 Morning Consult/Public Affairs Council poll of 2,199 Americans, 70 percent approved of candidates spending their own money on elections, 67 percent approved of individual contributions and 55 percent approved of PACs.”
Politico Nightly
As Many as 12 GOP Votes to Impeach
By: Renuka Rayasam 01/12/2021
“Doug Pinkham, the president of the Public Affairs Council, an association for public affairs professionals, said he and his staff had spoken to more than 30 companies and trade groups that were trying to figure out what to do in recent days.”
Politico Influence
Remembering Sheldon Adelson
By: Caitlyn Oprysko 01/12/2021
“Doug Pinkham, the president of the Public Affairs Council, said he and his staff had spoken to more than 30 companies and trade groups trying to figure out what to do in recent days. “My sense is that public outrage about what happened last week is escalating every day,” he said.”
Roll Call
Corporate Donor Backlash Follows Capitol Riot, but Advocates Question if it will Last
By: Kate Ackley 01/12/2021
“Companies are definitely actively considering what their path forward is and if these lawmakers will be supported by their PACs in the future,” said Kristin Brackemyre, director of PAC and government relations for the Public Affairs Council.”
Politico
Business Titans Pull Back from GOP after Capitol Insurrection
By: Alex Isenstadt, Elena Schneider, Theodoric Meyer, and Zachary Warmbrodt 01/11/2021
“My sense is that public outrage about what happened last week is escalating every day,” Pinkham said, adding, “This isn’t going to go away.”
The Hill
New Senate Majority Jolts K Street
By: Alex Gangitano 01/08/2021
“For business lobbyists, whether you’re Democrat or Republican, this is not the time to take time off because they’re going to be playing a tremendous amount of defense the next four years,” said Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council.”
The Washington Post
Companies Backed Trump for Years. Now They’re Facing a Reckoning After the Attack on the Capitol.
By: Todd C. Frankel, Jeff Stein, Jena McGregor and Jonathan O’Connell 01/08/2021
“Some companies have asked about the pressure to stop political contributions to congressional members who voted against certifying the election, said Nick DeSarno, director of digital and policy communications for the trade group of policy officials at large corporations and advocacy groups.”
The Hill
Lobbying World
By: Alex Gangitano 11/17/2020
Kelly Memphis has been promoted to senior manager of government relations at the Public Affairs Council.
O’Dwyer’s
On the Move: AIG Names Fato Global Comms Chief
By: Steve Barnes
11/13/2020
The Public Affairs Council, the largest international association for public affairs professionals, has promoted Kelly Memphis, Victoria Ellington and Conrad Tolosa.
Politico Influence
Lyft’s New Lobbying Team Includes Former Biden Aide
By: Caitlin Oprysko
11/13/2020
Kelly Memphis is now senior manager of government relations at the Public Affairs Council and Victoria Ellington has been promoted to manager of PAC and grassroots at the council.
UVA Today
Accolades: University Ranks No. 4 in the Nation in Voting Activities
By: Dan Heuchert 10/27/2020
“Public affairs professionals need a thorough understanding of business practices to do their jobs well, but not every MBA program recognizes the value of their function,” Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham said.”
The Hill
Lobbying World
By: Alex Gangitano 10/14/2020
The Public Affairs Council elected Peter Wilkinson as its new board chair for 2020-2021. Wilkinson is the global head of regulatory and public affairs at Canadian insurance company Manulife. He is both the first Canadian and international chair to serve on the council’s board of directors.
Advocacy Help Desk
Nick DeSarno co-hosts as they dive into the fundamental role associations play in America’s economy.
Politico Influence
K Street Frets as Trump Blows up Negotiations
By: Theodoric Meyer 10/07/2020
The Public Affairs Council has elected Peter Wilkinson, the global head of regulatory and public affairs at Manulife, as its new board chair.
IPR
New Poll Reveals Public Concerns About Election Integrity and Government Response to COVID-19
By: Doug Pinkham 09/28/2020
With just a few weeks to go before Election Day, most Americans have doubts about the fairness of the voting process, reported a new Public Affairs Council poll.
FOX 5 DC
FOX 5 On The Hill: New Poll on Trust in the Election
By: Tom Fitzgerald 09/27/2020
Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham breaks down a new poll showing that only 29% of Americans trust that November’s election will be conducted fairly.
PR News
PR Pros Eye Surveys About Online Shopping, Racism, Trust in Tech
By: Seth Arenstein 09/25/2020
A Public Affairs Council survey revealed that although research shows consumers want companies to take stands, just 28 percent of those surveyed said companies are playing “a positive role” in combatting racism.
The Hill
Less Than One-Third of Americans Believe 2020 Elections Will be Conducted Fairly: Survey
By: Alex Gangitano 09/24/2020
Only 29 percent of Americans have faith that the 2020 elections will be conducted in an honest and open way, according to a survey released by the Public Affairs Council.
Newsmax
Poll: Only 29 Percent of Americans Think Elections Will Be Honest
By: Sandy Fitzgerald 09/24/2020
“We’ve never seen an American election with so much doubt about whether the results will reflect the will of the voters,” said Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham.
Advocacy Help Desk
PAC’s Nick DeSarno on Advocacy’s (R)evolution
Advocacy Help Desk Podcast 08/24/2020
Advocacy groups, associations and corporations have been forced to overhaul their digital and virtual efforts.
STAT News
Pharma is Showering Congress with Cash, Even as Drug Makers Race to Fight the Coronavirus
By: Lev Facher 08/10/2020
“Legal counsel is very involved in PAC processes and activities, and then oftentimes there’s a financial officer — but we’re seeing that a lot of corporate PACs are really trying to diversify the representatives that serve on their PAC boards so that it’s more reflective of the company at large.”
Associations Now
Seven Changes Affecting Government Relations During The Pandemic
By: Rasheeda Childress 07/15/2020
“A recent report from the Public Affairs Council found that the pandemic is changing the way advocacy is done. With more organizations saying advocacy is critical now, associations need to focus on virtual engagement and standing out from the crowd.”
Roll Call
K Street Backrooms Morph into ‘the Zoom where it happens’
By: Kate Ackley 06/15/2020
“More than 70 percent of [lobbyists] believe that even after the COVID-19 threat ebbs, it will still be much more difficult to meet with federal policymakers in person, according to a recent survey by the Public Affairs Council.”
IPR
Government Affairs Executives Expect Pandemic to Cause Long-Term Decline in Face-to-Face Lobbying
By: Doug Pinkham 06/09/2020
“Also on the ascendancy is digital advocacy. Over 60% think the pandemic will bring about a decline in traditional lobbying and an increase in the use of digital advocacy strategies.”
Politico
Economic Pain Comes to K Street
By: Theodoric Meyer 05/26/2020
“Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council, said the pandemic had been ‘financially devastating’ for many trade groups. ‘Many of them rely very heavily on events for revenue, and that has just dried up,’ he said.”
Associations Now
Are Political Ads on Social Media OK? Many Say Yes
By: Ernie Smith 02/12/2020
“A new study from the Public Affairs Council finds that even given recent controversy over the use of political ads on social media, nearly half of Americans don’t find their use objectionable.”
Roll Call
Checks and Balance: This summer’s conventions may be a bit unconventional
By: Kate Ackley 01/28/2020
“In the current environment, companies are particularly cautious about alienating employees and customers by sounding like they are closely aligned with either party,” says Doug Pinkham, president of the Public Affairs Council.”
The Hill
Ex-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street
By: Alex Gangitano 01/08/2020
“If you ask [Duffy, Smith and Culberson], they would say this is not inconsistent because they are supporting issues where they have expertise and where they feel they are true believers,” Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham told The Hill.”
BuzzFeed
Nothing Is Off The Table For Facebook As Google And Twitter Crack Down On Political Ads
By: Alex Kantrowitz 11/21/2019
“If Facebook decides to implement additional restrictions, I think legislators will finally consider implementing a comprehensive digital ad bill that addresses many of these issues,” Nick DeSarno, director of digital and policy communications at the Public Affairs Council, told BuzzFeed News.”
The Washington Post
The Technology 202: Josh Hawley escalates war with TikTok with new bill to limit U.S. data in China
By: Cat Zakrzewski 11/18/2019
“While Twitter’s potential new issues ads policy is more permissive than a total ban, it’s still going to be a challenge for groups who are trying to drive political or legislative change using the platform,” Nick DeSarno, the director of digital and policy communications at the Public Affairs Council, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals, told Kate.”
The New York Times
What Ads Are Political? Twitter Struggles With a Definition
By: Kate Conger 11/15/2019
“Twitter said it held discussions about the policy with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Affairs Council, a nonpartisan organization that advises companies on their lobbying and digital advocacy efforts, last week.”
Politico
EU Influence
By: Christina Gonzales 11/01/2019
“Here are 10 things to remember when working with Commission staff, according to the Public Affairs Council.“