How has corporate America's approach to Washington changed between Trump's first and second administrations? In this episode of Campaign Trend, host Eric Wilson speaks with Alex Conant, partner and co-founder of Firehouse Strategies, about the evolution from companies hiding behind trade associations to direct CEO engagement with the White House. They discuss the shifting role of lobbyists versus public affairs professionals, how companies are building broader coalitions of allies rather than relying solely on traditional lobbying, and the impact of AI on advocacy campaigns. The conversation also covers the continued importance of mainstream media in setting agendas and essential skills for public affairs professionals in today's relationship-driven industry.

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Courtney Weaver, Executive VP at IMGE, cuts through the hype around influencer marketing in political campaigns. Discover why influencers aren't just celebrities with massive followings - they're trusted voices like teachers, veterans, and mom bloggers who've built authentic relationships with niche audiences.

In this conversation with host Eric Wilson, learn practical strategies for incorporating user-generated content into your paid media mix, why you can't skip traditional digital advertising, and how campaigns of all sizes can leverage this relationship-based approach. Wilson and Weaver explore everything from ballot initiatives to local races, delivering actionable insights on budgeting, platform selection, and the mindset shift required to work effectively with content creators.

Perfect for campaign managers, political consultants, and anyone looking to understand how authentic storytelling and digital targeting work together in modern political communications.

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Jordi Calvet-Bademunt, a senior research fellow at The Future of Free Speech and visiting scholar at Vanderbilt University, joins Eric Wilson to discuss AI regulations and their potential unintended consequences for free speech. In this eye-opening conversation, Calvet-Bademunt reveals how the anticipated wave of AI-generated deepfakes during the 2024 elections failed to materialize despite widespread panic from global institutions and media.

The episode explores why AI is being treated differently than previous communication technologies, examines the risks of overly broad regulations, and highlights how both government policies and corporate self-censorship could threaten political discourse. Calvet-Bademunt shares surprising research findings about the actual impact of deepfakes in recent elections worldwide and advocates for media literacy over restrictive policies while celebrating the positive potential of AI in political communication.

For campaign professionals and political strategists, this conversation offers valuable insight into navigating the evolving relationship between emerging technology and free speech in democratic systems.

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