The Future of Political Consulting by The AAPC

The American Association of Political Consultants
  • 5.0 (4)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of political consulting in a rapidly changing world. From emerging technologies and digital strategies to shifts in voter behavior and campaign compliance, we’ll dive deep into the trends shaping the elections of tomorrow. Whether you're a political strategist, campaign manager, or curious about the future of democracy, this podcast offers insights from top industry experts and thought leaders on what’s next for the world of political consulting.

  1. FEB 27

    The Future of Political Influence: Trust as Strategy

    Trust is changing, and so is the way influence works. In a time when voters are questioning institutions, media, and even one another, political consulting is entering a new era. What does persuasion look like when trust is the most valuable currency in public life? In this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, Matt Klink, Owner and President of Klink Campaigns sits down with Aaron Guiterman, Chairman, US Public Affairs at Edelman to explore the trust trends reshaping public engagement - from polarization and grievance to misinformation and AI - and what they mean for campaigns, institutions, and consultants moving forward. Drawing on insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer, this conversation looks ahead to a future where rebuilding trust isn’t just a communications challenge, it’s the strategy itself.

    40 min

  2. FEB 13

    The Independent Electorate That Will Decide 2026 Outcomes

    According to recent Gallup data, a record-high 45 percent of U.S. adults now identify as political independents, outpacing both major parties. That means nearly half the electorate isn’t firmly tethered to traditional partisan labels — a trend that could reshape campaigns in 2026 and beyond. In this episode, Mike Shields, Board Member of the American Association of Political Consultants and founder of Convergence Media is joined by Brett Loyd of Bulfinch Group and the Independent Center to dig into what this massive independent electorate looks like, how they behave, and, most importantly, what it means for campaign strategy — from segmentation and messaging to turnout and analytics.

    52 min

  3. JAN 31

    What Prediction Markets Can (and Can’t) Tell Us About Elections

    Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are once again shaping election conversations, alongside growing claims about their accuracy and concerns about their influence. On The Future of Political Consulting, EMC Research President Ruth Bernstein moderates a conversation with John Phillips, CEO of PredictIt, one of the earliest election-related prediction markets.  They compare prediction markets with traditional polling, explore whether markets measure or shape political narratives, and reflect on lessons from PredictIt’s experience that remain unresolved.

    49 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    DMs & Chatbots: Innovations in Digital Organizing

    Digital organizing is evolving fast and campaigns that treat DMs like door knocks are already ahead. On this episode of The Future of Political Consulting, host Taryn Rosenkranz (AAPC Board Member and Founder and CEO of New Blue Interactive) talks with Gabriella “Gabbi” Zutrau (Digital Strategy Advisor, Zohran for NYC and 2025 AAPC Top Ops Award Winner) about how the Zohran Mamdani campaign turned Instagram enthusiasm into real-world organizing power. They break down how chatbots and DM automations can capture leads, fill canvasses, and move supporters from scroll to street, particularly when engagement begins with supporters initiating contact, resulting in stronger follow-through and sustained participation. More importantly, the conversation looks ahead: what this approach signals about the future of the digital ground game, how campaign engagement is changing, and what political consultants should be doing now to prepare for 2026 and beyond.

    35 min

  5. 12/12/2025

    How Campaign Strategy and Advocacy Intersect to Create Emerging Paths Forward

    This episode explores how modern advocacy intersects with campaign strategy and what that means for the future of political consulting. Joshua Habursky and Dr. Casey Burgat discuss the evolving tools, technologies, and relationship-driven skills shaping year-round influence work in Washington. A valuable listen for emerging professionals navigating career paths across campaigns, public affairs, and advocacy.

    39 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    The New Rules of Texting: Inside the AAPC’s Messaging Code of Ethics

    Political texting has exploded into one of the most powerful tools in modern campaigns, but its future depends on trust.  In this episode, Julie Sweet, AAPC’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations joins Thomas Peters, Co-Chair of the AAPC Political Messaging Committee and Founder & CEO of RumbleUp, to explore The New Rules of Texting inside AAPC’s Messaging Code of Ethics.  Together, they’ll look at why these standards matter today and how they’ll shape voter contact strategies of tomorrow.   From curbing bad practices that erode credibility to preparing for emerging challenges like AI-driven personalization, rich media messaging, and looming regulation, we’ll explore how consultants can keep texting a sustainable, ethical and effective channel in the cycles ahead.

    24 min

  7. 10/23/2025

    The Future of Direct Mail

    In an increasingly digital world, where does Direct Mail go? Sheila Holman, Vice President of Marketing at USPS sits with Danielle Cendejas, a Partner at The Strategy Group, to discuss how consultants can leverage technology and Direct Mail. From Near Field Communications to AR, VR, and Mixed Reality, learn the cutting-edge tools to help campaigns.

    23 min

  8. 10/01/2025

    Deepfakes, Disclaimers, and Navigating an Evolving Compliance Landscape

    With the growth of generative AI, navigating state laws has become increasingly complex, raising the potential of legal risks for political consultants. In this episode, Julie Sweet, Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations at AAPC and Jason Torchinsky, Partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC, delve into the complexities of AI and synthetic media in political campaigns. They discuss the new AAPC Deepfake Law Compliance Guide, offering insights into how these evolving technologies impact the future of the political consulting industry and how campaigns can stay protected in an ever-changing landscape. Notes: Pew study: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/09/17/from-political-speeches-to-songs-how-would-americans-react-if-they-found-out-ai-was-involved/

    29 min
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About

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of political consulting in a rapidly changing world. From emerging technologies and digital strategies to shifts in voter behavior and campaign compliance, we’ll dive deep into the trends shaping the elections of tomorrow. Whether you're a political strategist, campaign manager, or curious about the future of democracy, this podcast offers insights from top industry experts and thought leaders on what’s next for the world of political consulting.

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