Modernizing Our Democracy: The Political and Policy Implications of the Digital Age - led by Matt Lira

Winning Elections the Smart Way

Featuring: 

Zac Moffatt, Co-Founder, Targeted Victory 

Dave Carney, Chief Strategist, Abbott for Governor and Former White House Political Director

Justin Germany, Co-Founder, CRAFT Media; Leading Campaign Media Strategist

Dr. Dan Beckmann, Peabody & Emmy-Award Winning Journalist, ABC News, Creative Executive, Current TV, Digital Strategist, Obama-Biden 2008                          

In the aftermath of the 2012 election, the country marveled at the Obama campaign’s ability to integrate data and analytics to change the electorate.  Republicans were shaken – not by defeat alone, but by the failure to anticipate the scale of their defeat in any measurable way.  During the 2014 midterm elections, the nation’s two major political parties began a campaign “space race” for data, technology and campaign tactics.  Somewhat ironically, this technological “space race” is leading towards a renewed focus on engagement-based, grassroots campaigns.

 How has integrated data been used to change the way campaigns are organized?  How should a modern campaign be organized from day one?  What new strategies have become vital to campaigns?  How have media purchasing strategies changed, and what are the impacts of those changes?  How should ‘social pressure’ tactics be used in campaigns?  How can social networking information be used to target voters?  How will the next generation of candidates win elections?

Room: Faculty Dining Room, HKS

***All study groups are off-the-record and not for media coverage***