In this episode of the Campaign Trend Podcast, Eric Wilson talks with John Link, Senior Vice President of Data at Ad Impact, to unpack what’s behind the eye-popping projections in Ad Impact’s 2025–2026 Political Projections Report.
Campaigns that adapt to the new rules—and respect the people on the other side of the screen—will continue to see results.
In this episode of the Campaign Trend Podcast, Eric Wilson chats with Makena Kelly, senior writer at WIRED, to unpack one of the most intriguing dynamics shaping political behavior today: the rise of online fandom as a force in electoral politics.
It’s less a free market and more a living ecosystem with its own internal gravity.
Drawing on his experience at the Senate Leadership Fund, Billy McBeath explains why campaigns keep missing the mark on connected-TV spending and what smarter buying looks like heading into 2026.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a futuristic buzzword—it’s already reshaping politics, governance, and even citizenship.
The "WinRed Effect" report reveals stunning shifts in donor behavior, from smaller gifts given more frequently to massive growth in down-ballot digital programs.
Political campaigns rely on email and text messaging as their most important channels for reaching donors. But what happens when the platforms that control those inboxes and phones make it harder for your messages to get through?
"What if we take off this restriction, what are people going to say is their most important issue?"
"Campaigns need to start thinking about how do you prove what is real and what is not."
"Okay, how many nonpolitical people are in the room and no hands go up. And I said, do you see the problem?"
"We're always designing for the voter, right? It's about getting the response from the voter."
