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

With an abundance of cutting-edge tools available, how exactly are political consultants engaging with generative AI tools? A partnership with the AAPC Foundation, and the bipartisan research team of Normington Petts & 3D Strategic Research, conducted a study to offer quantitative and qualitative insight into the adoption, perception, and strategic use of AI across the political consulting industry. Join Julie Sweet, the AAPC Director of Advocacy & Industry Relations and Blane Wallace, a Senior Associate at Normington Petts, as they discuss tools being used, what works, what doesn't, and what to look forward to.

In an era where attention is fleeting and the competition for voter engagement is fierce, the role of media production in political campaigns has never been more critical. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie McGhee from MeanGreen Media to explore the evolution of political ad production. From automated video editing to hyper-personalized messaging, we’ll discuss the cutting-edge tools redefining campaign media and what’s next in the rapidly evolving landscape of political advertising.

Women candidates have made historic gains in political representation, yet challenges persist. This episode examines how gender shapes voter perceptions, campaign strategies, and election outcomes. Our expert guests explore whether voters hold women to different standards, how media portrayal influences public opinion, and how partisan divides affect attitudes toward women in leadership. We'll also discuss strategies to counter gender bias and how generational shifts are redefining the future of women in politics.

In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Lawless, a leading authority on gender and politics, to explore the critical role women are playing in reshaping the political consulting landscape. We’ll dive into her research on political ambition, the evolving participation of women in political leadership, and how these changes are impacting campaign strategies. Jennifer brings her wealth of knowledge to discuss the barriers women face in political consulting, the importance of mentorship and representation, and the shifting voter dynamics that consultants must understand to succeed in the future. As gender dynamics continue to influence voter behavior and candidate selection, Jennifer offers a compelling look at what these trends mean for political consultants and strategists.

In this episode, we talk to Sara Fagen, CEO of Deep Root Analytics and former White House Political Director, to examine how technological advancements are reshaping the political consulting industry. With elections becoming increasingly data-driven, campaigns must adapt quickly to digital disruptions while staying true to strategic fundamentals. Sara shares her expert perspective on how consultants can harness data, media, and emerging tech to build winning campaigns in today’s fast-paced political environment.