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.

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.

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/

This episode features highlights from AAPC’s expansive webinar archive. The AAPC hosts monthly webinars exploring the evolving landscape of political consulting and we are sharing insights that touch on the future of the industry. AAPC members receive complementary access to the webinar library.

This episode features highlights from the following AAPC Webinars:

• AI in Action: How Campaign Pros are Leveraging the Latest Tools

• Engaging Influencers

• Crafting the Winning Media Mix

• Thriving in the Off Year

Automation, artificial intelligence, and a rapidly evolving digital landscape are no longer on the horizon; they're here. Is your team equipped to navigate this new reality, or are they at risk of being left behind? In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Wilder-Slaughter, the Executive Vice President of Operations at New Blue Interactive and Daria Grastara, the CEO of Direct Persuasion, as they discuss the critical importance of training and developing your team for the future.

In this special "Summer Catch-Up" episode, we revisit highlights from previous discussions, exploring the evolving landscape of political consulting. From campaign-influencer collaborations and voter engagement strategies to the impact of AI, this episode offers insights from top industry experts.

This episode features highlights from:

• From Memes to Movements: Inside the Campaign-Influencer Collaboration

• The Final Stretch: Finding the Voters Who Will Flip the Script

• The Future of Political Strategy in the Disinformation Era with Sasha Issenberg

• AAPC's NY Chapter Presents: Exploring the Realignment of the American Electorate with Patrick Ruffini

• Data-Driven Politics with Sara Fagen

• Women’s Role in Shaping Future Elections with Jennifer Lawless

• Women's Role in Shaping Future Elections, Part 2: Voter Perceptions & Political Realities

• The Future of Media Production with Melanie McGhee

• Next-Gen Strategy: Inside Political Consulting’s AI Evolution