Today we’re joined by Stephen Aaron , the founder of 527 Tracker , a new website that aggregates, analyzes, and alerts users to Super PAC spending in real-time. He also runs Perspective Strategies, a public affairs firm based in Washington, DC. He’s got a long background in the policy and communications side of politics. In our conversation we learn more about what 527 Tracker is seeing ahead of the midterms, how Stephen became an entrepreneur, and what he’s learned from building software. Subsc...
Oct 12, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Kyle Roberts , CEO of AdImpact joins us on the show today to discuss the latest spending data around political advertising in the 2022 midterms, the trends underlying the numbers, and his strategies for selling software in the political industry. AdImpact’s 2022 Midterm Projections Spending Report Remember to subscribe to the Business of Politics Show wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can also signup for email updates on our website at BusinessOfPoliticsPodcast.co...
Oct 05, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Today we’re talking with Matthew Foldi , conservative journalist and former Congressional candidate for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. We dig into his experience as a candidate and gain insights about how he scaled his startup campaign. Follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MatthewFoldi Leave a review, get a mug! When you leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts , send me an email: eric@startupcaucus.com and I'll send you one of our official show mugs. Subscribe on YouTube:...
Sep 28, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Today we’re talking with Tyler Whirty ( @twhirty_ ), founder of HODLpac , a PAC for crypto voters that is also a crypto-native organization and community governed. Don’t worry if you don’t know what some of these words mean, we dive into more about the organization, what crypto voters want, and a quick intro to the industry. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology. Visit Business...
Sep 21, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Our guest today is Casey Phillips , principal at the Hereford Agency . He’s written and produced more than a thousand political television and radio ads across all 50 states. He’s worked at the NRCC and RLSC and serves as a general consultant on campaigns. He’s also written and produced a feature documentary called “Win, Lose, or Draw Straws” about the way different ties are resolved in elections. We talk about what goes into an effective TV ad, what it takes to cut through the noise in today’s ...
Sep 14, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Today we’re speaking with Joe Mansour , founder and CEO of Speak4 , a new advocacy platform that makes it simpler for organizations to empower their supporter to speak up for the causes they believe in. Before making the leap to entrepreneur, Joe has had a long career in digital campaigns and advocacy. In our conversation we discuss what led him to build Speak4, what he’s learned making the switch, and the results of a new case study. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follo...
Sep 07, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Our guest today is Marcus Tetwiler , CEO of Sprinkle . It’s a new political tech startup that connects grassroots donors with candidates aligned with their values. In our conversation we discuss the state of online fundraising and the challenges of campaign tech startups. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider...
Aug 31, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Daniel Laurison is an associate professor of sociology at Swarthmore College, the associate editor of the British Journal of Sociology and a Carnegie Fellow. He researches and writes on social class and political inequality. He’s out with a new book that I’ve really enjoyed reading called Producing Politics: Inside The Exclusive Campaign World Where the Privileged Few Shape Politics For All Of Us. We talk about his own campaign experiences, what he learned from his research, and how campaigns ca...
Aug 24, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Our guest today is David Kanevsky of 3D Strategic Research . He’s a data-driven strategist with a long career at organizations like the NRSC and the RSLC as well as experience as a campaign manager. David and I recently collaborated on a poll in two Virginia congressional districts to understand the effects of ranked choice voting in primary contests. In our conversation we discuss the poll, what we learned, and more. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow ...
Aug 17, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Today we’re joined by Jon Black, CEO of Data Trust , the leading provider of voter and electoral data to Republican and conservative campaigns, parties, and advocacy organizations. Prior to taking the helm at Data Trust, Jon worked with the Republican National Committee as a Regional Political Director and Director of Turnout & Targeting. In our conversation, we discuss the unique role Data Trust plays in the GOP ecosystem, the challenges of maintaining a national voter file, and what data h...
Aug 10, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Our guest today is Stephen Rowe , Director of Digital Training at the Leadership Institute . The Leadership Institute is the premier training organization on the Right and Stephen runs their online training. He’s trained more than 18,000 activists both online and off. In our conversation today, we learn more about LI’s approach to training, why it’s essential for effective operatives to grow their skills, and how to find the right training. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , ...
Aug 03, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Alex Niemczewski is the CEO of BallotReady, an online voter guide to local elections. They’re building the infrastructure for voters to be informed in every election that matters to them. BallotReady is venture back and has raised nearly $3 million to date. In our conversation today, we discuss the challenge of collecting election data, how Alex educates investors about the industry, and how BallotReady stays nonpartisan. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of ...
Jul 27, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Today we’re speaking with Wesley Donehue , founder of Push Digital and the Laurens Group . He works with candidates, political committees, issue advocacy groups, and corporations on crisis communications, brand reputations, and digital strategy. Wesley is the author of the just released book Under Fire: 13 Rules for Surviving Cancel Culture and Other Crises. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican c...
Jul 20, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Every startup comes with unique challenges, but campaign tech startups must overcome the added difficulty of the politics of politics. We built Startup Caucus to help entrepreneurs overcome these barriers more effectively, efficiently, and affordably to fast-track innovation into the field to help Republicans win more elections. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology. Visit Star...
Jul 13, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Our guest today is Ryan Rodgers, President of the Strategy Group Company , a Columbus, Ohio-based political firm that specializes in media and advertising for political campaigns. They’ve worked for just about everybody. Ryan has a background in campaigns and entrepreneurship. In our conversation we discuss the importance of websites for campaigns, what works, and how campaigns can make better decisions about their online presence. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow u...
Jul 06, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Jeremy Becker joins us on the show today. He’s the co-founder and CEO of Cloverleaf AI . Their product helps customers access local government meetings virtually and create actionable insights based on the data collected. In our conversation we discuss why Jeremy chose this space, how the Techstars accelerator helped his company and what has surprised him about the political industry. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and...
Jun 29, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Brad Parscale is our guest today. He’s the founder of Campaign Nucleus , a software platform to help campaigns break down data silos and connect with other apps in the campaign tech ecosystem. He was an integral part of the campaign team that helped Donald Trump win in 2016 and he was campaign manager for the re-election campaign for more than two years. In our conversation today, we discuss the reason campaigns face data silos and why breaking them down is so important, how he's making the swit...
Jun 22, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Today we’re joined by Rich Thau , president of Engagious , a leader in dial test focus groups that shape messaging and strategy around corporate and issue advocacy projects. For the last 20 years, Rich has been in the room helping clients test, refine, and improve the content they create to persuade voters, customers, viewers, and even jurors. In our conversation today, we discuss the dial testing process, what swing voters think, and how to ask better questions. The Business of Politics Show, h...
Jun 15, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Our guest today is Kate Faherty, CEO of Empower Strategies which is a recruitment, people operations and organizational effectiveness consulting firm for political firms and organizations. Before starting her own firm, she was head of digital operations for the Republican National Committee during the 2020 election. Just to give you some context, that was a team of 187 employees. In today’s episode we discuss the reasons political operatives aren’t always good managers, what Gen Z expects from a...
Jun 08, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 42
I recently joined Michael Bossetta on the Social Media & Politics Podcast to discuss Startup Caucus and the role of technology in U.S. politics. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology. Visit StartupCaucus.com to learn more. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign Trend Website: Follow us on X Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our Newsletter Become a Campaign Trend Insider...
Jun 01, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Our guest today is Jonathan Gallegos , founder of GOP Jobs , a curated job board of the best jobs and freelancers in conservative and right-leaning politics. Before founding GOP Jobs, Jonathan worked in the White House as Director of Digital Content. He has experience from Capitol Hill and corporate America. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology. Visit StartupCaucus.com to lear...
May 25, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Today we’re speaking with Luke Thompson, co-founder of Cerberus Strategies. He’s a political strategist with a deep background in data. Luke has done work for the NRSC, the Jeb Bush Super PAC, and Applecart. In our conversation we dive into his latest campaign in the Ohio GOP Senate primary, how he approaches decision making, and the ways he thinks technology is shifting politics. A mole hunt, a secret website and Peter Thiel's big risk: How J.D. Vance won his primary ( Politico.com ) @ltthompso...
May 18, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Drew Ryun is the founder and CEO of Campaign Sidekick , a voter contact app used by campaigns across the country to reach voters via phone, at doors, and text messages. Drew has a long history of working in campaigns both as an operative and as an entrepreneur. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology. Visit StartupCaucus.com to learn more. Subscribe on YouTube: Visit the Campaign...
May 11, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Today we’re joined by Adam Meldrum , President of AdVictory , a political media buying and audience intelligence firm. Adam has worked on a ton of campaigns including Nancy Mace for Congress, Ben Sasse for Senate, Bill Lee for Governor and a number of party committees and PACs. In our conversation we talk about the new technology he’s excited to put to work in campaigns, how he stays at the cutting edge, and how to sell innovation in the Republican party. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by...
May 04, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Our guest today is Alex Isenstadt, National Political Reporter at Politico where he’s been since 2008. His coverage is must-read for anyone following the inner-workings of national politics. On today’s show we discuss how the media interacts with campaigns, how he develops his professional relationships, and what the digital disruption of politics means for media. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republ...
Apr 27, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Our guest today is Arielle McKenzie , co-founder & CEO of Grasshopper , a startup in the education technology space focused on enrichment for kids that’s backed by Techstars, but before that, Arielle and I worked together on the 2016 Rubio for President Campaign. In our conversation today, we talk about how Arielle’s sojourn through politics prepared her for becoming an entrepreneur and how she’s using those skills to overcome challenges in her current startup. The Business of Politics Show,...
Apr 20, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Today we’re speaking with Michael Kaiser , an expert in cybersecurity and privacy. He’s the President and CEO of Defending Digital Campaigns , a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides access to cybersecurity products, software and training to campaigns. We discuss the reasons campaigns are targets for cyber attacks, the unique arrangement that allows DDC to provide these services for free, and how to drive culture changes around technology. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eri...
Apr 13, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Today we’re joined by Steve Johnston , Chief Operating Officer of Flexpoint Media , we recently welcomed Kegan Beran, the co-founder of Flexpoint Media on the show and you can go listen to that episode to learn more about what they’re working on. Steve’s career has taken him from Capitol Hill and Wharton Business School to Google and yCombinator. In our conversation today we learn how those experiences have shaped his perspectives on both business and politics. The Business of Politics Show, hos...
Apr 06, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Our guest today is Sara Fagen , Founder & CEO of Tunnl , a data intelligence company powering brand, purpose-driven, and issue advocacy efforts. Sara is also the cofounder of Resonate and Deep Root Analytics. She was Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush and served as Senior Strategist for Bush-Cheney 04. In today’s conversation, we discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, the evolving roll of data, and advice for balancing multipl...
Mar 30, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Our guest today is Kegan Beran , co-founder and President of Flexpoint Media , an omni-channel media strategy firm that helps campaigns and other organizations with traditional media placement and digital strategy. In today’s conversation we dive into the nuts and bolts of TV advertising, what its dominance means for campaigns, and his insights from innovating in a highly competitive segment. The Business of Politics Show, hosted by Eric Wilson , is a production of Startup Caucus, an investment ...
Mar 23, 2022•28 min
