Operatives

A TikTok-fueled Victory In New Zealand – Sean Topham (Topham Guerin)

"TikTok was THE most important decision we made."

Today we’re joined by Sean Topham, co-founder of Topham Guerin, a global creative and digital agency. Sean and his team have worked on campaigns around the world, from Australia to the UK, where they’re always bringing cutting edge, envelope pushing creative ideas to the table.

Sean’s fresh off a big win in his native New Zealand where TikTok played a major role in the political conversation. We learn more about the New Zealand National Party’s victory, what Sean and his team learned about tiktok, and how conservatives can apply these lessons in the united states.

Key Takeaways:

1. TikTok was a game-changer in the New Zealand National Party campaign.

2. Creative, culturally resonant content won attention and engagement.

3. Political turnaround required a strong leader and digital innovation.

4. Coalition politics shaped inclusive and strategic campaign messaging.

5. Digital should be central to strategy, not treated as a support function.

Watch on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdzsHPQ_uNfN8r5PILc3NhQ

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:13 State of Play in New Zealand Politics

03:13 The National Party's Strategy for 2023 Elections

06:17 The Importance of TikTok in the Campaign

10:11 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing TikTok

16:08 Types of Effective Videos for the Campaign

21:32 Results and Impact of TikTok Strategy

25:57 Addressing Security and Policy Concerns

29:27 Advice for Republican Candidates in the US

32:09 Conclusion and Call to Action

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