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The article focuses on the stories behind the names of the top firms in the political consulting industry. Topics covered include the importance of having a good firm name, the reason behind the selection of the name Burning Glass Consulting by founders Katie Packer Gage, Ashley O'Connor and Christine Matthews and the positioning of Revolvis as a firm that intended to rebuild the Republican Party.

Several photographs from the 2015 Influencers Conference are presented.

The article offers five tips for American campaign managers to effectively communicate online. It highlights why corporate ad spending has changed and how to be ready for 2014. It advises campaign managers to toss the conventional wisdom aside and go big online, to invest in paid supporter acquisition, and to invest in online persuasion advertising and budget this as its own budget line item.

The article discusses why the consultants and operatives of U.S. President Barack Obama are in the position to permanently change the culture of the campaign industry. It highlights the fruits of victories enjoyed by consultants from winning presidential campaigns including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton's teams. It talks about data scientists as political consultants, openness and collaboration, political campaign, and lessons from the second presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

The article presents the photographs of American political consultants and staffers who attended "Campaigns & Elections" magazine's The Influencers 50 event including Republican fundraiser Richard Norman, Catalist's Bob Blaemire, and Democratic communications consultant Tracy Sefl.

This article discusses why candidates running for public office detest fundraising. The author offers three main reasons bets hate fundraising and they are first, fundraising can be tedious, boring and repetitious. Second, it offers a steady stream of rejection, refusal and dismissal from friends, associates and total strangers. And third, fundraising is emotionally distressing for lazy people. The article also discusses how campaign consultants can make candidates embrace the task.

The article offers comment of U.S. political consultants on topics related to the 2012 presidential elections. The experts who offered their views include, Rob Jesmer, a partner at Republican firm FP1 Strategies and former executive director of National Republican Senatorial Committee. Jessica Post, a political adviser at EMILY's List and political and field director at Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Phillip Stutts, President of Phillip Stutts & Company.

An interview with California political consultants in 2013 is presented. When asked to compare California with Washington consultants, Jason Roe replies that it is easier to practice when one is based in Washington, D.C. Rose Kapolczynski thinks that having an office in Washington is much less important in the digital age, but there are times when a face-to-face meeting is better. Pollster Adam Probolsky notes that he usually has one consultant between him and the candidate.

A list of political campaign advocacy consultants are presented including HighGround, Inc., Goddard Gunster and FieldWorks, LLC.

A list of political campaign consultants and their details are presented including Jasculca Terman and Associates, Inc., Campaign Marketing Strategies, Inc., and The Monaco Group.

A list of the members of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) is presented including the officers like the Chair Tom Edmonds, the President Felipe Noguera, and regular members such as Kurtis Adigba and Javier Aguirre.

The article discusses the emerging culture clash between Silicon Valley and the average Washington D.C.-based political consultants. He states that venture capital firms see a profit in political technology and are placing millions on the future of the industry despite it being new that some political consultants don't agree on how it fits into the future of campaigns. He also talked about conflicts between partisan and nonpartisan vendors who are now part of the political technology world.

The article announces that Wright Strategies LLC, CFB Strategies and Lauren Miller of Trilogy Interactive have received the honors for the Best Use of Mobile Technology, Best Use of Targeting Technology and Best Fundraising Program at the 2013 Reed Awards.

The article focuses on the help that could be extended by elections and campaign consultants to the U.S. Republican Party. In his "Time" magazine article, Mike Murphy said the Republican brand is dying, many of their strategists are incompetent, and that their campaigns are designed to win 25 years ago. The Campaign Finance Institute reported that of the ten most expensive Senate races in 2012, only three were won by the candidate that received the most spending from outside groups.

An interview with several campaign executives is presented. Whit Ayres of North Star Opinion Research believes that the 2012 campaign cycle was the year the changing demographics caught up with the Republican Party and made the obvious changes apparent to every elected Republican. Sandler-Innocenzi president Jim Innocenzi says while he have been making advertisements for 30 years, broadcast, cable and social media made things a much more difficult during the 2012 campaign.

The article features political consultants and influential insiders in the northwest region of the U.S. Davies Moore Squyres Partner Isaac Squyres is one of the top Democratic ad men in Idaho. Lori Hardwick Fundraising Inc. President Lori Hardwick is one of the leading political fundraisers in Oregon. Other influencers include Grove Insight Founder Lisa Grove, Hilltop Public Solutions Partner Barrett Kaiser and JET PAC Treasurer Harper Lawson.

The article features political consultants and influential insiders in the southwest region of the U.S. Rindy Miller Garcia Media President Dean Rindy has led more than 300 campaigns and was recognized for his ad making. AH Strategies partner Found Holland operates an ad firm whose clients include top GOP officials Other influencers include Dublin Group principal Patrick Feeney, Singularis Group Creative Director Jared Suhn and Dover Strategy Group Partner Larry Jacob.

The article features top political consultants and influential insiders in the midwest region of the U.S. JAD Associates President Jo Ann Davidson has helped George W. Bush win in 2004. Aboussie & Associates President Joyce Aboussie was a key figure in the political operation of former Representative Dick Gephardt. Other influencers include Tightline Strategies' Jack Cardetti, Soapbox founder Tony Wyche and Barklage Company President David Barklage.

The article features top political consultants and influential insiders in the southeast region of the U.S. Sean Malone of Harris, Jones & Malone, LLC has managed campaigns for Governor O'Malley. DkW Strategies founder Debbie Willhite is a consultant for Democratic candidates, while David Mowery of Mowery Consulting Group LLC is a top fundraiser in Alabama. Other influencers include Bill O'Conoer of Frankin Resources and John Diez of Magellan Strategies.

The article features political consultants and influential insiders in the northeast region of the U.S. Quantum Communications Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charlie Gerow specializes in the formulation of conservative messaging. Grossman Solutions Founder Andy Grossman is a known consultant of America Votes and Planned Parenthood. Other influencers include Aberdeen Associates President Peter Barhydt, Sheinkopf Principal Hank Sheinkopf and Totten Communications' Michael Muller.

The article discusses the lessons learned by political consultants from the 2012 U.S. elections. Nick Gourevitch says that polling averages should be ignored, referencing to a GfK poll which showed that the gender gap was gone. For Tom Edmonds, there has been no incentives for consultants and their clients in avoiding incivility in campaign messages. The process by which the election cycle made response ads more importance is also explained.

The article discusses the involvement of women in the U.S. political consulting industry. Described to be previously dominated by men, Democratic media consultant Ann Liston asserts that women tend to provide different opinions in the political strategy-making process. Compared to the Republican side, it is said that there are more female operatives working for the Democratic Party. Gridiron Communications president Angela Faulkner and McKenna Pihlaja founder Martha McKenna are also featured.

The article profiles some of the upcoming political consultants in the U.S. as of 2012. Kellen Arno is a nonpartisan consultant and the national field director of Americans Elect. Ginny Badanes is a Republican and the political director for Republican group CMDI. Kellee Barron-Lanza is also a Republican and the vice president of the Jackson Alvarez Group.

The article discusses the challenge faced by political consultants working on the state of California in 2012. The author believes that state has always been lucrative for consultants as there are ballot initiatives to push including the death penalty, union dues, tax increases and the three-strikes law. He claims that consulting firms benefit much from competitive presidential cycles. The author believes that the state's new top-two primary system bring more opportunities.

The article focuses on issues concerning the advertising campaigns and elections in the U.S. It highlights the foundation of Technology Committee of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC). The committee, co-chaired by Brian Franklin of Impact Politics and Becki Donatelli of Campaign Solution, aims to make itself a part of any policy discussions on Capitol Hill that could place restriction on the ability of digital strategists to advertise effectively for candidates.

The article focuses on Super PACs as outside groups transforming the political consulting industry. It cites the Citizen's United decision of the U.S. Supreme Court and the 527 organizations with high-level operatives such as Priorities USA Action and American Crossroads that can collect sums of cash backed by anonymous contributions. It also notes Super PAC formed around candidates including the Revolution PAC to aid Ron Paul and Super PAC Restore Our Future to support Mitt Romney. INSET: The Oppo War Room.

The article focuses on what political academics should know about political consultants and the need for them to work together. It mentions a research project on running a modern campaign based on political theories and research that has been published as a book entitled "Political Consultants and Campaigns: One Day to Sell" that showed the distinction between attack and negative advertising. It also notes the Consultant Attitudes on Management and Practices (C.A.M.P.) survey on campaign job.

A directory of political consultants, and related products and service providers in the U.S. is presented.

A directory of members of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) is presented.

A directory of members of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is presented.

The article discusses how political consultants can get booked as analysts on cable television (TV) talk shows. It states that TV bookers hold the key to be booked on cable TV. An alternative way to meet a booker if hiring a professional is not an option is to ask a friend or colleague to make an introduction. According to the author, one of the benefits for consultants to appearing on cable news shows is that it can boost their firm's visibility.

The article discusses the highlights of the conference titled "The Art of Political Campaigning," held in Washington, D.C., in June 2010. Issues on direct mail was discussed by veteran Democratic consultant Jim Spencer and Republican Dan Hazelwood. Tips for new media strategy were provided by Republicans Michael Turk and Kurt Luidhardt. The latest trends in television advertisements were tackled by Democratic media consultants Mark Putnam, John Del Cecato, and Tad Devine.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's unique political consulting strategy by moving in with her clients to learn more about them.

The article features 40 political operatives and strategists included in the Rising Stars for 2010 list by "Campaigns & Elections" journal. It mentions that the winners for 2010 include technological innovators, fund raisers and an art director. Included in the top 40 are Armando J. Arana of Newlink Political, John Balduzzi of Kennedy Communications, and Michael Beach of Targeted Victory.

An interview with consultants Anil Mammen, president of the Mammen Group, Dan Hazelwood, founder of Targeted Creative Communications, and Bo Harmon, partner at Response America, is presented. When asked about the changes regarding election cycles, Mammen and Hazelwood mention the unchanged state of direct mail. Bo Harmon emphasizes the importance of micro targeting for the efficiency of the mail program. Mammen recognizes new media voter contact as an extension of direct mail.

The article discusses the potential opportunities and pitfalls in using the Wikipedia for political campaigns. Wikipedia's contents are unique compared to other influential sites because they are not under the control of one person. Entries for some candidates can be legally edited via the Discussion or Talk Page but some materials can deleted outright. And though Wikipedia tries to avoid self-referentiality, some candidates or campaign consultants edit articles for their own benefit.

The article discusses the security risks experienced by campaign operatives and consultants when they undertake international work. International consulting firms work with clients who are in line with their own political values and whom the U.S. government will not find objectionable. Despite the financial rewards, consultants experience several problems in international consulting such as high overhead costs for surveys, unpaid consulting and miscellaneous fees, and the absence of disclosure and fundraising regulations.

The article looks at the differences in campaigns and elections in countries outside of the U.S. such as Estonia, Australia, and Africa. Internet voting for a national election is successful in Estonia and outdoor advertising for political campaigns is popular in Ukraine. Australia enforces compulsory voting laws and has preferential voting, while Germany's privacy laws make political data collection impossible. The significance of colors and symbols in African politics is also examined.

The article lists several political consultants across the U.S. which includes John Liu of A-Political in New York City, Joe Negron of Americana Media Consulting in Florida, and Mike Quigley of Anzalone Liszt Research in Illinois.

An interview with several Republican strategists is presented. When asked about the fitting schedule for the Iowa primary, David Kochel, senior Iowa adviser for former Governor Mitt Romney, considers Monday as the best date due to tradition. Eric Woolson, Iowa campaign manager for Governor Mike Huckabee, believes that a Sarah Palin run in the 2012 primary will be successful. David Roederer, Iowa chairman for Senator John McCain's 2008 campaign, shares the inexistence of disgruntlement among his Democratic friends in Iowa with Obama.

The article presents an interview with Jef Pollack of Global Strategy Group about politics in the U.S. He talks about the major races Global is working on in 2009 and 2010. Pollack then looks at the trends in political consulting. He also discusses about the use of technology in political campaigns.

This article describes the San Francisco Progressive Voter Index (SFPVI) in California. It recognizes the accuracy of the index as a single-number ranking of a precinct's political leaning. It notes the use of a lot of consultants, pollsters and assorted campaign staff in creating the ranking. It also highlights the use of the SFPVI to analyze correlations to ballot measures for targeting purposes and to perform analyses of the electorate itself.

The article examines the lack of diversity in the political consulting sector of the U.S. Silas Lee, who heads one of the few African-American-owned consulting firms, relates that there are many talented minority political consultants, they are not just utilized effectively or consistently. An African-American consultant describes the status of African American political consultants. Cornell Belcher who served as one of President Barack Obama's pollsters during the 2008 campaign, emphasizes the need to improve diversity in the sector.

The article profiles the top 27 U.S. political consultants based on a survey by the periodical "Politics." Former online marketer Brent Blackaby first worked in the political campaign of retired General Wesley Clark. After working for the presidential campaign of Senator John McCain, Tucker Bounds became communications director for California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Shannon Burns used the voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone banking in the campaign of Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell.

The article encourages U.S. political consultants to conduct early vote strategy to increase the chances of their clients to win in the elections. The author notes that political campaigns should focus on the final 720 hours rather than the final 72 hours. He urges consultants and candidates to invest money, time and people in such strategy as voting standards varies in several states. Professor George Mason said that the number of people who vote early rose to 30% in 2008 from 22.5% in 2004.

The article discusses challenges facing political consultants who run for office in the U.S. Republican consultant Charlie Gerow, who ran for Congress in 2000, notes that it is impossible to take part in politics and not gain the utmost respect for anyone who puts their name on the ballot. It says the race for lieutenant governor in Virginia as of 2009 offers a virtual case study in the risks of running for office as a consultant. Also cited are the factors that appear to motivate such individuals to enter politics.

A directory for political consultants, products and services is presented.