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WinRed CEO Ryan Lyk joins Eric Wilson for a revealing conversation about how GOP fundraising has transformed since 2018. The "WinRed Effect" report reveals stunning shifts in donor behavior, from smaller gifts given more frequently to massive growth in down-ballot digital programs. Lyk discusses battling Big Tech suppression, innovative solutions for SMS deliverability, and exclusive details on upcoming "recurring retention" features that will revolutionize how campaigns manage donor subscriptions and reduce churn rates.

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As campaigns gear up for the 2026 midterms, new tech changes threaten online fundraising. Apple's iOS 26 will filter texts from unknown numbers, potentially blocking campaign messages from reaching 65% of donors who use iPhones. Meanwhile, Gmail has been flagging Republican fundraising emails with WinRed links as dangerous while ActBlue links pass through unfiltered. TAG Strategies' Dave Purkert breaks down these challenges and shares strategies campaigns can use to protect their donor outreach and fundraising operations.

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Eric Wilson discusses groundbreaking research from the Center for Campaign Innovation on using AI to analyze open-ended survey responses. In this special episode, producer Adam Belmar interviews Eric about testing four AI models—ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini—to code voter responses in a battleground congressional district. Discover how AI can revolutionize campaign research by processing qualitative voter feedback faster and more affordably, plus practical implementation strategies for political professionals.

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Political strategist and novelist Robert Moran joins Eric Wilson to discuss his new book "Lincoln 2.0," a political thriller exploring AI candidates in future elections. They dive into whether voters would accept a digitally resurrected Abraham Lincoln running for president, the technological requirements for AI candidates, and regulatory challenges facing this emerging reality. The conversation covers real-world examples like Modi's digital avatar in India, AI debate prep possibilities, and the potential for campaigns to create digital clones of candidates. Moran predicts presidential libraries will soon create AI versions of past presidents, making this speculative fiction feel surprisingly close to reality.

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In this episode of Campaign Trend, host Eric Wilson sits down with Ron Nehring, Director of International Programs at the Leadership Institute and former national spokesman for Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential campaign, to discuss the critical gaps in campaign technology for down-ballot races.

Nehring outlines five key challenges facing campaign tech developers: building affordable message testing tools for local campaigns, segmenting voters by engagement level using the "core vs. crowd" framework, translating digital insights into analog strategy, creating better feedback loops to replace unreliable polling, and developing tools that challenge prevailing political narratives.

The conversation reveals why political insiders often struggle to connect with non-political voters and offers practical solutions for tech entrepreneurs looking to penetrate the fragmented world of local campaigns. Recorded at the Leadership Institute's studios following Nehring's presentation at ElectTech San Francisco.

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How does visual design influence voter behavior and campaign effectiveness? In this episode of Campaign Trend, host Eric Wilson speaks with Shane Helm, founder of RightPixel, about the critical role of design in political campaigns. They explore why campaigns often shortchange the design process, the importance of designing for voters rather than candidates or spouses, and how red, white, and blue still outperform trendy color schemes with American audiences. The conversation covers measuring ROI on design investments, incorporating AI tools like Midjourney for image creation while avoiding AI logo generators, and the growing need to design for short-form video content to reach Gen Z voters. Helm also discusses his biggest pet peeve in political design—campaigns trying to reinvent the wheel instead of building on proven design language—and why authentic, simple, patriotic design continues to drive voter response and action.

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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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