New podcast ep, HR tips and live webinar today

Hello, AAPC Insiders!

 

This issue includes tips to make your awards submissions shine (and boost your marketability), HR advice and resources to strengthen your team, an important update on membership dues and benefits, plus new events to add to your calendar. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and success!

 

Anna Ross

Manager, Membership Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

 

In this issue…

  • Member Moves
  • Sara Fagen on The Future of Political Consulting Podcast
  • AAPC Insiders' Top Tips on the Season's Biggest Awards
  • AAPC Membership Dues Are Changing—Here’s What You’ll Gain
  • HR Tips for Political Consultants
  • Don’t Miss: Programming and Events
  • New Year, New Members!

Member Moves

  • Emma Tupper is being promoted to CEO of Moxie Media
  • Chris Wilson is the new CEO of EyesOver US

Live Today –

New Podcast Episode: The Future of Data-Driven Campaigns with Sara Fagen

Tune in as Sara Fagen, CEO of Deep Root Analytics and former White House Political Director, dives into how tech advancements are transforming political consulting. Discover how to leverage data, media, and emerging tech to craft winning campaigns in this fast-paced digital era. 🎧

 

Webinar – How Online Creators Shaped the 2024 Election | January 30th @ 2:00 PM EST.

Discover how online influencers reshaped voter engagement in 2024—and how statewide and local campaigns can tap into their power. Learn actionable strategies for integrating influencer partnerships into winning campaign strategies, while navigating the legal and ethical complexities of political advertising.

Spotlight Your Success: AAPC Awards Season Is On!

As the political awards season heats up, AAPC members are gearing up to celebrate the best in campaign strategy and innovation. With key deadlines approaching—February 3 for the and February 10 for and nominations—now is the time to prepare your standout entries!

 

Pollie Contest winner Ben Nuckles (Nuckels Media Partners) shares his top tip for success: “Winning an award is about more than just having great ads—you also need to ensure you include background on your campaign strategy along with clear, measurable outcomes that show how you moved the needle.”

 

For those nominating rising stars and outstanding consultants for the 40 Under 40 or Campaign Excellence Awards, 40 Under 40 Co-Chair Brenda Gianiny (Axis Research, Inc.) emphasizes highlighting tangible achievements and contributions: “It’s important to show your enthusiasm for what you do and how it impacts the campaigns you’ve worked on. Don’t rely on reputation alone—show off what you’ve accomplished!”

 

Help us recognize the industry’s brightest stars and most impactful campaigns from this cycle. Find all the info you need, .

Help Honor the Creativity and Innovation Shaping Our Industry

Join your peers in supporting AAPC by for the prestigious Pollie Contest. You’ll receive a 15% discount on your membership renewal or a 2025 Regional Conference registration*

Membership Dues Are Changing: What You’ll Gain

To continue providing and expanding upon membership benefits, we’re making a small adjustment to dues for the very first time, effective February 4, 2025. This enables us to invest in new programs, expanded resources, and greater advocacy—all designed to support your success in a rapidly evolving industry. You can learn more about what’s changing .

 

Contact with questions or concerns.

Scaling Success: How Consulting Firms Can Balance Culture, Compliance, and Connection

Building a thriving workplace culture while staying compliant with can be challenging, especially for firms on the smaller side. Key differences in HR strategies often emerge based on firm size, as Kim Axelrod (Bully Pulpit International) explains:

 

It’s easy for HR to take a backseat when balancing the demands of client-focused work. Axelrod recommends leveraging industry resources: "Lean on organizations like AAPC, SHRM, or the PR Council for programming and advice, and network with peers to learn from their experiences. Real-life examples and can save time and money by helping you start with a solution and work backward to implement processes."

 

Kyle Wilder-Slaughter (New Blue Interactive) highlights the human side of HR: “One of the biggest things for me is reminding each employee that no problem is too small. And from the HR side, making sure that you don’t forget the voices that aren’t the loudest.”

 

By balancing personalized approaches with scalable systems and fostering open communication, consulting firms can create thriving, compliant workplace cultures. Looking to future-proof your HR strategy? will help.

New & Returning Members this Month

Lauren Blanco (ccp360), Lx Fangonilo (Deep Root Analytics/Tunnl), Ashley Craig (Deep Root Analytics/Tunnl), Jeannette Atchley (Just Getting Started Strategies), Zachary Yeates (Grindstone Field Solutions, LLC), Rowe Neil Eckard III (Rockwell Solutions), Neal Cuevas (Disney Ad Sales), Mara Mellstrom (i360), Clayton Turner (i360), Alexia Spanos (Symmetry Media), Mindy Serin (UCLA), Emily Karrs (IMGE LLC), Andrew Mullins (IMGE LLC), Sydney Page (Spectrum Campaigns), Josh Thomas (Parthenon Strategies), Courtney Weaver (IMGE LLC), Tom Byrnes (THOS., LLC), Peg McGregor (Tele-Town Hall, LLC), Wally Zimolong (ZIMOLONG LLC), David Waid (Javelina Consulting), Jen Krimm (Independent Consultant), Lee Broder (Fulcrum Intel), Hollace Wright (Fulcrum Intel), Marco Granger-Rivera (Pivotal Politics), Michael Manross (Ampersand), Kyle Sisenstein (Fulcrum Intel), Edward A Wigglesworth (Spectrum Campaigns), Megan Umlauf (Cardinal Contact LLC), Thomas Shepard (OPR Communications), Elizabeth Gregory (Dave McCormick for Senate), Stephanie Young (BrabenderCox), April McPherson (BrabenderCox), Jeff Koenen (KW Call Center Services), Justin Shatto (KWC), Dennis Alan Gragert (Gragert Research LLC), Oswaldo Villegas (Heuristica Comunicacion), Britt Bischoff (Britt Bischoff Strategies, Early Dawn), Kelly Kolling (ColdSpark), Cecilia Bojorquez (Sisneros Strategies), Bernadette Herrera (Trilogy Interactive), Avery McEroy (EnSpot Political), Jonathan Valentin (EnSpot Political), Will Oppermann (GPS Impact), Abbie McAdams (Vocal Media), Seth Morrow (Targeted Victory), Eric Harpootian (Strategic Media Services), Jeremy Shatto (KW Call Center Services), Celia Bote (Targeted Victory), Kylie Buggeln Northcott (Gragert Research LLC), Max Cowan (DMM Media, INC), Lisa Gasperoni (LG Campaigns), Ryan Powers (CANDR Strategies), Taylor Strand (Magnify Media Partners), Alyssa Ignacio (Peerly Inc.), Ned Wigglesworth (Spectrum Campaigns), Sarah McHaney (Precision Strategies), Rebecca Pearcey (Bryson Gillette), Michael Mule (Surge Public Affairs), Dan Wells (DonorBureau), Kingsley Rhinehart (Push Digital Group), Scott Farmer (Campaign Solutions/Push Digital), Matt Mitchell (Minute Mail Political), Jeremy Dixon (Gragert Research LLC), Nick Gill (Gragert Research LLC), Collin Moore (Polaris Campaigns), Kyle Dunaway (Minute Mail Political), David Spencer (Spencer Federal), and Poder Latinx (Poder Latinx).

Don't Miss!

  • The Pollie Contest - Enter by
  • for the Orlando Networking Luncheon | February 4th | Citrus Club | Orlando, Florida.
  • Nominations for the and close February 10th.
  • for our Feb. 25th Webinar: Thriving in the Off-Year
  • the Southern Regional Conference | March 19th | New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District | New Orleans, Louisiana.

*Discount is available to those who complete their judging assignments by the deadline. Discount is valid through December 31, 2025 for one-time use toward a membership renewal or 2025 Regional Conference registration and may not be combined with any other discounts, including early-bird.
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