Campaign Trend Podcast

How does visual design influence voter behavior and campaign effectiveness? In this episode of Campaign Trend, host Eric Wilson speaks with Shane Helm, founder of RightPixel, about the critical role of design in political campaigns. They explore why campaigns often shortchange the design process, the importance of designing for voters rather than candidates or spouses, and how red, white, and blue still outperform trendy color schemes with American audiences. The conversation covers measuring ROI on design investments, incorporating AI tools like Midjourney for image creation while avoiding AI logo generators, and the growing need to design for short-form video content to reach Gen Z voters. Helm also discusses his biggest pet peeve in political design—campaigns trying to reinvent the wheel instead of building on proven design language—and why authentic, simple, patriotic design continues to drive voter response and action. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

How has corporate America's approach to Washington changed between Trump's first and second administrations? In this episode of Campaign Trend, host Eric Wilson speaks with Alex Conant, partner and co-founder of Firehouse Strategies, about the evolution from companies hiding behind trade associations to direct CEO engagement with the White House. They discuss the shifting role of lobbyists versus public affairs professionals, how companies are building broader coalitions of allies rather than relying solely on traditional lobbying, and the impact of AI on advocacy campaigns. The conversation also covers the continued importance of mainstream media in setting agendas and essential skills for public affairs professionals in today's relationship-driven industry. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Courtney Weaver, Executive VP at IMGE, cuts through the hype around influencer marketing in political campaigns. Discover why influencers aren't just celebrities with massive followings - they're trusted voices like teachers, veterans, and mom bloggers who've built authentic relationships with niche audiences.In this conversation with host Eric Wilson, learn practical strategies for incorporating user-generated content into your paid media mix, why you can't skip traditional digital advertising, and how campaigns of all sizes can leverage this relationship-based approach. Wilson and Weaver explore everything from ballot initiatives to local races, delivering actionable insights on budgeting, platform selection, and the mindset shift required to work effectively with content creators.Perfect for campaign managers, political consultants, and anyone looking to understand how authentic storytelling and digital targeting work together in modern political communications.Become a Friend of the Trend: https://campaigntrend.com/friends/Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, a senior research fellow at The Future of Free Speech and visiting scholar at Vanderbilt University, joins Eric Wilson to discuss AI regulations and their potential unintended consequences for free speech. In this eye-opening conversation, Calvet-Bademunt reveals how the anticipated wave of AI-generated deepfakes during the 2024 elections failed to materialize despite widespread panic from global institutions and media.The episode explores why AI is being treated differently than previous communication technologies, examines the risks of overly broad regulations, and highlights how both government policies and corporate self-censorship could threaten political discourse. Calvet-Bademunt shares surprising research findings about the actual impact of deepfakes in recent elections worldwide and advocates for media literacy over restrictive policies while celebrating the positive potential of AI in political communication.For campaign professionals and political strategists, this conversation offers valuable insight into navigating the evolving relationship between emerging technology and free speech in democratic systems.Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Scott Winn, COO of the California Republican Party, Bryan McPartlan from Prompt.io, and Caroline Strom from X share insights on modern political campaigning. They discuss the challenges of engaging voters in a fragmented media landscape and emphasize the importance of combining technology with personal conversations. The panelists explore innovative strategies, like leveraging social media and influencer outreach, to create meaningful connections. Furthermore, they highlight the value of quality content and long-term vendor relationships in driving effective campaign engagement.

Lara Aulestia is founder and CEO of 1060 Advisors, a paid media strategy, planning and buying company serving the public affairs and political industry. She has an extensive background in political media buying with past roles at iHeartMedia, Resonate, Xandr, and Warner Media.In this episode we dig into the need to layer media buys across platforms to achieve our desired reach and frequency objectives.Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Our guest today is David Tennent, founder of CNCT, a platform to centralize social and professional opportunities for political staffers. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Maya Hutchinson, Founder & CEO of Battleground AI, dives into the exciting world of AI in political campaigns. She unveils how local campaigns can creatively engage voters through affordable AI tools. The conversation touches on the ethical implications of AI, emphasizing transparency and the importance of adapting to a tech-savvy electorate. Maya also discusses the challenges of breaking down data silos to leverage AI for effective local strategies. Additionally, she highlights how AI is reshaping SEO dynamics, necessitating fresh marketing approaches.

Our guest today is Mark Harris, Managing Partner of ColdSpark, a boutique advertising and public affairs firm that specializes in political campaigns and issue advocacy.In our conversation, we discuss lessons Mark and his team learned from the victorious 2024 Pennsylvania Senate campaign for Senator Dave McCormick.Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider

Our guest today is Arnold Punaro, a retired Marine Reserve Major General. For decades he served on Capitol Hill, including as the Staff Director of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Today he runs the Punaro Group, consults for a broad array of Fortune 100 companies, and has been recognized by Defense News as one of the 100 most influential individuals in US Defense. He’s also the author of “If Confirmed: An Insider’s View of the National Security Confirmation Process.”In this episode General Punaro takes us behind the scenes of the confirmation process from short lists to nominations to vetting to hearings and Senate votes. So if you want to survive a Senate confirmation hearing someday, take notes!Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider