Researchers are shedding light on the influence of corporate PAC dollars. Learn why they say there’s zero evidence that corporate PACs lead to corruption.
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Did you know laughter can help you retain political information? Or that facts might not help you win a moral argument? Check it out and much more in our monthly roundup of the news and articles you need to read.
Stop piling on the jargon; it doesn’t make you sound smart. And strip this stale expression from your vocabulary.
This month we’re covering cutting PACs some slack, managing risk, Innovation Award winners and more.
Americans have wrestled with how to fund elections for most of our country’s history. But a world without corporate PACs could lead to more dishonesty and more extreme candidates. Council President Doug Pinkham explores why PACs are campaign finance reform that works.
A batch of House special elections are just around the corner. Nathan Gonzales walks us through what to watch and what to expect.
Working in public affairs means learning to live with uncertainty. Council President Doug Pinkham outlines the major risks and how to manage them.
What do bobbleheads, videos and gamified fly-ins have in common? They were the creative difference in this year’s top advocacy campaigns.
In the world of business, offering a genuine apology can seem like “an act of courage.” Here are some tips on finding the courage.
Changing corporate behavior, closing the revolving door, conscious consumers and more. We’ve compiled the research and news that are worth the read.
Don’t awkwardize or uglyize your writing. Read this month’s tip before turning nouns into verbs in your next piece.
Will the new administration mean changes in the process of policymaking? We interviewed some of the sharpest minds in public affairs for their take on what’s ahead. Read on for their thoughts on working with lobbyists, changes to campaign finance, a return to normalcy and more.
Derision and division won’t stop with the beginning of a new presidency. Nathan Gonzales explores how we might get to a more unified and respectful Congress – and America.
What do you consider revolutionary? Helping to oust the incumbent president of your own party? We spoke with one of the Lincoln Project’s founders Mike Madrid about the tactics behind their bold campaign and what advocacy professionals can apply to their own work.
Broussard Williams has a passion for inspiring others to be change makers. Both in her role as senior manager of public policy for Amazon and in her book Find Your Fire, she is working to better communities and turn moments into movements.
What do companies like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s have in common? They’re part of a growing movement of companies with a mission that goes beyond making a profit for shareholders. Author Christopher Marquis explains the evolution of B Corp, the issues it supports and the potential for backlash.
With a new administration come new ethics rules and discussions of campaign finance reform. While the “No PAC Pledge” has gained popularity with some candidates, polling data show Americans view PACs as an acceptable way to fund elections. Council President Doug Pinkham explores how the pledge plays into election outcomes.
Governing and campaigning are not mutually exclusive. Nathan Gonzales dives into how legislating has become a part of campaign tactics and how some of the 2022 races have already started.
Major companies have helped push change on racial justice issues. Case in point, the Washington Football Team wouldn’t have changed its name without pressure from the business community. But how aware is the public of these efforts? Read on for where corporate activism might go from here.
Newly elected to the California State Assembly, Calderon discusses the unlikely roots of her interest in public affairs and the importance of negotiation and compromise. She also shares why being a National PAC Conference alum has been an invaluable experience.
From the office to your news feed – the pandemic has led to an even greater reliance on social media. MIT professor and author Sinan Aral explains the neuroscience behind why we love to scroll and why it’s becoming more difficult to tell fake news from facts.
While we might not be gathering in person this year, researchers are finding encouraging news about battling ideologies at your holiday dinner table. Find out why the Culture War might not be as toxic as you think.
Scrambling for synonyms? Here’s a writing tip that makes it easier. When you’re quoting an expert, this simple word is almost always best.
Get to know Council Chair Peter Wilkinson and Nathan Gonzales explores the Divided States of America.
An active Council member since the ’90s, Board Chair Peter Wilkinson is setting a plan of action for the year ahead. He’s also taking the helm as both the first Canadian and international chair, with a first priority on diversity, equity and inclusion.
After each presidential election we ask the winning candidate to bring the country together. Nathan Gonzales explores why unifying the nation is going to be no easy task.
From working on multimillion-dollar campaigns to communicating complex issues, Toyota’s public policy communications director discusses the art of messaging, what he learned as a reporter, and the importance of open discussions about social justice. He also shares why speech writing is like taking a long road trip.
New research indicates that campaign finance reform efforts may be having the opposite effect.
Don’t believe everything you read until you consider your mood. We take a look at a study on how emotion plays into believing falsehoods – and the implications for voting behavior.
What kind of expert are you? A subject matter expert? A leading expert? Our Impact editor dives into the inflation and ever-expanding variations of the term.
No one knows for certain what will happen on Election Day, but Nathan Gonzales explains why our collective shock from 2016 shouldn’t drive us away from the data this time.
In a year marked by COVID-19 and questions of election integrity, the public is putting more trust in business and less in government. Read on for insights from the 2020 Public Affairs Pulse Survey and how companies can take a bigger role on the biggest issues.
As the boundaries between corporations and nonprofits blur, Walter Powell of Stanford University provides a fresh understanding of charitable organizations.
As head of state government affairs at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Quinn offers his thoughts on how the lobbying world is shifting now that in-person contact has paused. He also shares what he wishes other public affairs pros knew about legislators.
Americans often say they want elected officials with corporate experience. But when it comes time to head to the polls, voters often choose candidates with this particular experience.
Research shows that contributing to the public good improves the perception of a company in the eyes of consumers. But there’s a catch. Read on to find out what shoppers say about CSR.
Just because this word has been around for 200 years doesn’t mean it will be effective in your writing. Let’s kill this zombie once and for all.
Companies Stepping Up For Racial Justice and What We Should All Be Rooting for in November
This is a time for open conversations about race, diversity and equity. It’s also a time to move beyond lip service to real action. Companies share the meaningful investments and actions they are taking.
Like major crises before it, COVID-19 will have lasting effects on society. Council President Doug Pinkham breaks down both the trade-offs and the opportunities before the public affairs profession as a result of the pandemic.
Candidates need to win bigly this fall to avoid skepticism of the voting process. Nathan Gonzales explains why a peaceful transition of power may be at risk this year.
From outcomes to data to new programs, nonprofits are often caught in cycles that don’t produce the best results. If you’ve ever worked in the philanthropic world, you may relate to these conundrums.
Traditional expressions of faith are eroding, so what’s filling the void? Founder and Director of Mockingbird Ministries David Zahl explores how we put more fervor and meaning into politics than ever and the effects on an already divided society.
Research on partisanship has a bright spot. You’ll want to check out these findings before you draft your next political communication.
Opinionated news articles may stem from our own expectations of the media. Find out more about the source of this skepticism, and the positive side effect of following local news vs. national news.