Winning Strategies for Public Affairs

Winning Strategies for Public Affairs and Advocacy Campaigns

Explore cutting-edge public policy and messaging strategies for the changing world of communications

November 6, 2009
University of Chicago, Gleacher Center
450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register | Overview | Agenda | Details & Directions | Participating Organizations

Overview

Whether trying to build coalitions, break through the media clutter to get your message heard, or leverage social networks to develop grassroots momentum, every organization needs a communications and advocacy strategy that works with and supports your overarching initiatives. And for those seeking to influence public policy on any level, communications and government affairs efforts must work hand-in-hand.

With the continuing political change in Washington, D.C., all types of organizations – private, governmental and nonprofit – are assessing the landscape and devising new advocacy and communication action plans. Now is the perfect time for your organization to re-evaluate and refine your key strategies. Does your plan target the right audience and emphasize the correct message? Are you confident that your organization can support these plans and implement required new initiatives?

This intensive one-day program will give you the tools you need to develop compelling public affairs campaigns and advocate on behalf of your organization in a new era of communications. The program will also help you sharpen your communication and advocacy skills as well as network with professionals from a variety of industries.

Key Benefits

In this program, you will:

• Develop public policy strategies and assess your organization’s ability to implement them on the federal, state, and local levels
• Assess your organizational power base and access to direct and indirect policy makers and the media
• Identify the opportunities and risks involved in pursuing your public policy agenda and how best to frame issues
• Assess your communications departments’ effectiveness in the public policy arena and utilization of social networking, on-line public relations and reputation management, Internet advertising and grassroots mobilization
• Examine case studies on advocacy, building coalitions, developing viable grassroots communications strategies, and utilizing the new media tactics such as blogging and twittering to impact public policy
• Get updates on some of President Obama’s major public policy initiatives and assess current communications and implementation strategies
• Gain new perspectives on advocacy and communications strategies to “move the needle” on your key issues

Who Should Attend

The program is designed for professionals in public policy, government relations, public relations, and communications-related roles from corporations, nonprofits, foundations, universities, associations, government agencies, and special interest groups.

See list of organizations that attended the previous session of this program »
See quotes from past participants »

Expert Faculty & Presenters

Ronald F. Gibbs is president of National & International Public Affairs Consulting and a lecturer at the Harris School. A nationally recognized expert in public policy and public relations, Ron has a track record of implementing highly successful public affairs and public relations campaigns by using coalition building, grassroots organizing and public awareness initiatives for corporations and nonprofits. He has direct work experience in crisis communications, philanthropy and reputation management. Ron has provided effective leadership on numerous public awareness and legislative campaigns dealing with urban and rural affairs, child welfare, health care, hunger relief, diabetes education, Medicare reform, veteran's affairs, immigration and global poverty.
Read full bio »

For this program, Ron has assembled nationally recognized experts who will present new strategies to help you win in the continually changing world of public policy and communications. Key presenters will include:

Sam Sebastian, director of local & B2B markets at Google, will present Google's latest research and case studies on online advertising's impact on public affairs campaigns.

Eric Sedler, managing partner at ASK Public Strategies (the firm founded by David Axelrod), will discuss cutting edge Internet strategies in the changing world of communications.

Andrew Bleeker and Michael Organ, principals at ASK Public Strategies and Internet marketing strategists for the Obama for America Presidential Campaign, will provide insights into digital advocacy and communications using the Obama Campaign's Internet strategy as a model for leveraging online advertising and public relations in public affairs campaigns.

Fee

Program fee includes all course materials, coffee breaks, and lunch.
$495 Standard
$395 Alumni

Contact

Mario Polizzi
Director of Executive Education
mpolizzi@uchicago.edu
773.702.2028