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.

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.

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.