It’s harder and harder to figure out who is going to emerge from the DeSantis-Disney struggle looking better than before this quarrel started or how, if ever, it will end. The best that can be hoped for at this point is what we might learn from it. Our experts weigh in.
Republicans and Democrats seem determined to “gift” the presidential race to each other. From scrutiny about Biden’s faculties to Trump’s legal issues and poor track record with independents, Nathan Gonzales frames out what the field looks like with both sides poised to nominate the “weakest candidate possible.”
For some companies, having their political activity evaluated by the CPA-Zicklin Index can be intimidating; for others, it’s exhilarating. But as the number of companies being rated continues to expand, it’s important to know what to expect, how much weight to give the index, and what level of compliance makes sense.
Named for Mack Hogans, the Council’s first Black board chair, the Hogans Fellowship is designed to support emerging professionals from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for leadership tracks, with a strong focus on talent retention in public affairs.
From tackling polarization to figuring out how to leverage AI in smart ways to fostering a more diverse field, here’s what the 2023 Hogans Fellows have to say about the big challenges before the profession, as well as the paths they’re planning for the next five years.
Is ChatGPT an innovation you need to jump on immediately? A recipe for disaster? A tangle of future regulations? Or some combination of all these things? Read on for how it will change the way you work — because it will.
There are a lot of unknowns looking ahead to the 2024 elections, but one thing we do know is where the key fights will take place. Read on for Nathan Gonzales’ analysis of how these unknowns seem likely to shake out and what to expect from battleground states in next year’s Presidential and Congressional elections.
As high-level opinion journalists move from established newspapers and magazines, it begs the question – where are we to go to find smart commentary? Discover why Substack, and its recently emerging competitors, is becoming the place to go.
As remote work continues, PAC professionals are facing a “new and challenging environment.” Dive into case studies where PAC practitioners share how they instill a sense of community whether they’re working in a hybrid or fully remote world.
Learn how the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association leveraged rebranding and restructuring to significantly increase its PAC contributions, and how The Home Depot’s “Aprons on the Hill” campaign increased awareness and promoted PAC membership and engagement.
Council Senior Director Amy Meli analyzes new findings on Fortune 500 company PAC contributions to House Republicans in the 2022 election cycle and how reps who voted to decertify the election results faired compared with non-objectors.
At the National PAC Conference, Nathan Gonzales answered pressing election questions from attendees. Watch for his insights on what’s coming in 2023 and beyond. And be sure to check out the outtakes!
Learn more about the innovative campaigns from the winners of the Outstanding PAC Awards in the association and corporate categories.
This year’s Innovation Award winners put a “human face on the issues they are addressing … personalizing them in unforgettable ways.” Learn more about the winning campaigns from AAA – The Auto Club Group, Community Associations Institute and Feeding America.
Attendees of The Advocacy Conference in Fort Lauderdale had some burning questions for Nathan Gonzales about upcoming elections. Watch now to find out what they had to say.
João Sousa, managing director of the Council’s European Office, dives into why public affairs professionals are well placed to engage on social issues and play a stronger role in helping address global challenges. Read about his five ideas.
Public affairs professionals are having a moment. Council Chair Mary Moore Hamrick looks back at a year when members made their mark in tumultuous business and political environments and looks ahead to the priorities and strategies to make 2023 even stronger.
If you thought we would get a break from election activity and news, think again. Nathan Gonzales explains why there will be plenty of action in 2023.
Government relations teams play an important role in their organization’s branding. State and local officials are making decisions that affect your organization, but are they aware of the contributions your company is making? Keep reading for expert insights when communicating your organization’s story.
Why didn’t the “red wave” so many experts predicted materialize in the 2022 midterms? With an unpopular Democratic president in office and economic pessimism weighing on voters, Republican success seemed likely. Nathan Gonzales explains what turned independents off in 2022 and why we need to keep an eye on this voting bloc in 2024.
The midterms left us with slim margins and the prospect of even more gridlock at the federal level. Discover why those looking to move the needle in either direction have shifted focus to the states and localities, as well as a breakdown of the challenges they’ll face.
With a master’s in divinity as well as both a J.D. and a master’s in law, Kendra Brown brings a varied knowledge base to her work as Mastercard’s vice president of public policy, U.S. federal affairs. Read on for how she is taking meaningful steps in the DEI landscape.
From serving in the C-suite of companies such as Political Quotient Advisors and Grant Thornton to her current leadership role with the George W. Bush Institute, newly elected Council Chair Mary Moore Hamrick has enjoyed a remarkable career with a focus on learning. Read about her priorities for the Council in the year ahead.
Nathan Gonzales explains why there’s a difference between “what happened in an election and what politicians think happened” and dives into the issues to listen for as politicians diagnose the midterm results and the implications for 2024.
The pandemic may have changed how the Council served its members, but it didn’t affect the quality. Learn how the outstanding contributions of Volunteers of the Year Adrienne Marks (left) and Bethany Dame helped bring value to the Council and the public affairs profession during challenging times.
During the Fall Board Meeting in Los Angeles last week, the Public Affairs Council elected Mary Moore Hamrick of the George W. Bush Institute as its 2022-23 chair. The new Executive Committee Officers were also announced, and the Volunteers of the Year were honored.
Prepare for a tumultuous post-election period that could escalate debates over the legitimacy of results. Nathan Gonzales breaks down how we could find ourselves with an even uglier election denial in 2024.
The 2022 Public Affairs Pulse survey, conducted by the Council and Morning Consult, reveals a deepening gulf between older and younger Americans on corporate engagement in social issues and concerns about the conduct of politicians. Read more about these differences and whether the divide between business and the Republican Party is narrowing or growing.
Will Republicans sweep Congress? Will congressional control be split between parties? Will Democrats make gains in both chambers? Nathan Gonzales dives into the uncertainty of the midterms and how the overturning of Roe v. Wade, President Biden’s approval rating and other factors may (or may not) mean unexpected results in November.
It can be difficult to apply value metrics to public affairs as the outcomes are rarely tracked the same as business KPIs. Council President Doug Pinkham outlines a framework for measurement focusing primarily on impact rather than activity. Read on for his guidance.
The National Association of Broadcasters’ vice president of government relations offers insights for getting Capitol Hill staffers up to speed on your advocacy topics and how to develop relationships that will keep you on their radar.
Twitter may not be the largest social platform, but it remains influential for navigating political discussion with 33% of tweets published by adults being political in nature, according to Pew Research Center. Read on for why Twitter toxicity shouldn’t dissuade public affairs professionals from using the platform as long as they do it wisely.
Will the midterm elections follow historical precedent, or will they be influenced by a confluence of data and circumstances that vary from the norm? Nathan Gonzales breaks down how President Joe Biden’s approval rating, opinions of independent voters, the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, and other factors are making this election cycle difficult to predict.
The vice president of government and public affairs with General Mills shares his experience leading the organization through the pandemic, the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, where General Mills is headquartered, and his commitment to DEI and racial equity issues. Learn more about Lee.
While the news media waits to see how corporate America will react to changes in abortion laws, few firms are viewing the expected demise of Roe v. Wade as an opportunity to hold a press conference or issue a public statement. Council President Doug Pinkham looks at what companies are already doing and factors to consider before speaking out or taking action.
After watching more than a handful of Republican and Democratic incumbents struggle or even lose their primaries, it might be easy to assume that voters are poised to punish candidates from both parties in November. Nathan Gonzales explains why you shouldn’t assume we’re in for a “throw the bums out” election.
From White House intern to National Guard member after 9/11 to state and local advocacy leader, AIA’s senior director of advocacy capacity development has had a fascinating career. Learn how Gray was inspired by his grandmother, and how he helped her early in his career at the White House.
People are leaving their jobs in search of something better, and it’s not always about more money. Read on for how to make your work culture satisfying and stimulating, and how smart companies are enticing women who left the workforce during the pandemic to come back.
Are Republicans headed for a wave or a tsunami during the midterm elections? Nathan Gonzales examines the handful of races to keep an eye on as we edge closer to November.
Ford’s U.S. manufacturing policy director recounts what she learned from the late congressman John Dingell when she worked on his staff early in her career and shares insights into the complex process of policymaking.
The winners of the 2022 Innovation Awards relied on heart and hard work to communicate new resources for people struggling with mental illness, to reach out to underserved communities with voter registration information, and to advocate for a travel sector ravaged by the pandemic.
Ever wonder why early House race ratings don’t always match the national narrative? Inside Elections’ Nathan Gonzales breaks down the nitty-gritty of foretelling district-level data.
The GCI Health EVP and head of inclusion, equity and diversity discusses the rigor required to practice equity effectively, building competencies through employee resource groups, and how her family’s journey inspired her.
Since the invasion, lobbying contracts in Russia are being terminated, companies are suspending business ties, and far-right nationalist movements are losing steam. How can public affairs professionals provide the risk management guidance to help companies and leaders determine their next move?
Council members attending the National PAC Conference in early March take their best shot at stumping Nathan Gonzales with questions about the 2022 midterm elections.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Sempra take home the 2022 Outstanding PAC Awards.
Worried you’ll lose your superstar employees in this job market? Then create an environment fit for superstars — the ones you have now and the ones you want to attract.
Independent voters may tilt the balance of power in the House and Senate in the midterms, but Nathan Gonzales explains why the watchwords for a Republican-controlled Congress could be revenge, inaction and even impeachment.
In this special edition of Toward Equity, the Council’s Erica Harris celebrates Black History Month by examining important work by Council members to ensure better outcomes and healthier pipelines for racially diverse talent.
When the pandemic was first upon us, many experts thought that there would be a rallying around science and medical experts and that we might finally break out of a pattern of polarization. Nearly two years later, the reality is very different. Read on for how we begin to reset.
