News & views.
A collection of stories about data, public opinion and politics and news about our firm.
A Climate Change and Leadership Breakthrough in New Orleans
Times are changing, and the case is growing that mayors should be at the center of all decision-making for their constituents. Cities should control their own destinies, goes the argument – and Mayor Cantrell is making a compelling case.
What Business Leaders Can Learn from the Amazon-NYC Saga
The debate over Amazon's NYC expansion continues, with the latest salvo a show of support from a group of business, civic and labor leaders. Rather than focus on the deal's death and possible resurrection, we distill three key findings to help other companies grow in cities.
Digital Lessons from the Midterms
Our friends at Bully Pulpit Interactive have put together a must-read set of strategy takeaways from the midterm elections. Among them: video content must be digital-first.
An Unforced Error in the San Francisco Mayor's Race
What should you do when you're attacked? It's a question every political campaign has to prepare for. Our recommendation: don't draw attention to an attack few voters have noticed.
Running for office in 2018? Look to New Orleans and LaToya Cantrell for lessons
Where should an insurgent candidate look for guidance on running a strong campaign? We suggest New Orleans, and the playbook of LaToya Cantrell, the city’s mayor-elect. In a city which had never elected a woman mayor, Cantrell won the 18-way October primary by 9 points and the November run-off by 20. How’d she do it? By blending old and new communications techniques. By rooting her campaign in voters’ values. By spending carefully. These are timely lessons for Democrats across the country.
Can Public Service Be Good Politics Again?
Can a call to public service once again make for good politics? Not since President Kennedy in 1960 has a national candidate put service and civic responsibility at the strategic core of a campaign. Savvy candidates in both parties should consider doing so in 2018 and 2020.
A New Mayor for New Orleans
The most effective campaigns seamlessly blend data, digital and grassroots strategies. We are proud to have been a part of one which ended Saturday: the race for Mayor of New Orleans.
Virginia, New Jersey and Trumpism
Overreach. A phenomenon so common it can be confused for a physical law of politics. It's a point Democrats should remember as they celebrate sweeping wins in NJ and VA on November 7.
Hudson Pacific Featured in the Times-Picayune
Cantrell hired a data research and strategy firm, Hudson Pacific, to compile analytical information. The firm’s website describes its work as ‘Moneyball, not gut feel,’ referring to the data-driven strategy that has transformed Major League Baseball as detailed in Michael Lewis’ book and a subsequent movie.
Bridging the Gap: Public Affairs and Business Goals
We offer this analogy in closing: think of public affairs work as a political campaign on behalf of a company or organization. The most effective public affairs professionals bring the urgency, rigor and focus of a campaign to your company’s issue. They convert data about the public into a coherent strategy and encourage the message discipline needed to achieve business goals. And they always put the client’s needs first.