Insights
Explore the latest insights, firm news and perspectives from The Herald Group team on the issues, trends and strategies shaping public affairs today.
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Good Research Isn't Enough. Here's What Makes It Land
Research alone rarely drives action. Learn how to translate complex data into compelling stories, reach key decision-makers, and build a public affairs strategy that ensures your findings land.
How to Communicate When You Cannot Say Everything
In litigation, regulatory investigations, and reputational crises, organizations often find themselves trapped between two competing realities: legal counsel wants to minimize risk, while stakeholders want answers. Here’s how to communicate when you cannot share the whole story.
Prince William County Said No to Data Centers Twice. That's a Warning Sign.
Prince William County’s data center votes aren’t the end of the industry. They’re a reminder that communities need more than facts and figures. They need to understand what these projects mean for their future and why they should welcome them.
What the SCOTUS Campaign Spending Ruling Means for Corporate Advocacy
SCOTUS ruling reshapes campaign spending, giving party committees new leverage and changing how corporate advocacy teams plan for 2026.
Why Public Affairs is Essential Before the Deal Goes Public
Mergers are no longer judged on financial merits alone. Public affairs strategy is essential to defining the narrative, managing scrutiny, and moving stakeholders toward approval.
What AI Says About Your Organization Matters More Than You Think
Most organizations have no idea what AI engines say about them — and that blind spot is costing them. As AI visibility becomes the new first impression for journalists, staffers, and advocates, the stakes have never been higher.
Communications Preparation for Congressional Scrutiny is Non-Negotiable
A congressional investigation is never just a legal matter. Companies that prepare now—with legal, communications, government affairs, and stakeholder teams aligned—will be better positioned to protect their reputation before a negative narrative takes hold.
The Inside-Outside Game: Orchestrating Influence in Modern Advocacy
Modern advocacy requires more than a strong lobbying strategy or broad public awareness campaign. To drive real policy outcomes, organizations need a synchronized inside-outside game that pairs Capitol-level strategy with constituent-driven pressure.
The Best Time to Build Media Relationships is Before the Pressure Hits
Most organizations treat media relations as a crisis tactic—but the ones that weather storms best build press relationships long before trouble hits. Here's why a sustained media strategy is essential in public affairs.
Strategic Alliances & Building Credibility in an AI-Saturated World
As AI floods the information landscape, policymakers struggle to know who to trust. Here's why strategic alliances with credible third-party voices have become a defining advantage in public affairs.
Public Affairs is Changing: Here’s What Practitioners Need to Know
The public affairs landscape in 2026 looks nothing like it did two cycles ago. Here's what practitioners need to understand—from the midterm environment to state-level fights to media fragmentation.
AI Is Reshaping Public Affairs—When Paired with Strategy
AI is reshaping public affairs workflows—but speed alone doesn't drive outcomes. Here's how to integrate AI intentionally without losing the strategy, relationships, and credibility that actually move the needle.
The Democratization of Media & Advocacy
The era of top-down messaging is over. Here's how public affairs professionals can earn attention, build trust, and drive real outcomes in today's decentralized media landscape.
Five Creative Shifts Public Affairs Can’t Ignore in 2026
In a world of AI-generated content and exhausted audiences, public affairs creative has to work harder to connect. Here are five shifts reshaping what effective campaigns look like in 2026.
Public Affairs in an Election Year: Changing the Narrative in a Compressed 2026 Midterm Environment
Election years don't eliminate the ability to change the narrative—they change what it takes. Here's what public affairs teams need to understand about winning in a compressed 2026 midterm environment.
Energy Transformation: The Case for Smarter Policies and Stronger Partnerships
At the University of Houston’s Energy Transition: Winds of Change symposium, it was clear that we are not in an energy transition, we are in the midst of an historic energy transformation that will be only possible through the partnership of public policy, industry and local communities.
Five Key Advocacy Tactics for the Lame Duck Session
The lame duck session provides special opportunities to reach decision-makers and make your messages heard loud and clear. The Herald Group’s latest blog highlights effective tactics for making an impact during the lame duck session and setting the stage for next year.
Supercharging Your Digital Grassroots Advocacy Program
An effective digital grassroots campaign can be a critical element of a “surround sound” strategy that helps your issue break through the noise on Capitol Hill. VP Sharon Copeland shares three keys to bringing your programs to the next level.
Breaking Through the Noise of Election Season
Breaking through during election season is harder than ever—but with the right budget, timing, messengers, and media mix, it's possible to cut through the noise and drive real impact.