Advocating 101: Tips from a Government Affairs Specialist and Former State Senator

Every year, as our country pauses to reflect on Veterans Day, I think about the history and meaning behind this solemn day. Originally established as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I on November 11, 1918, it later evolved into Veterans Day, a day we honor American servicemembers of every generation who have sworn to defend our country. For me, this day means a great deal. As an Army Veteran who served as an Infantry Officer in Afghanistan and Iraq, I often receive a "Thank you for your service." I genuinely appreciate the sentiment, yet I hesitate in how to respond. It was an honor to serve, and I will be forever grateful to have worn the uniform. I am grateful that my years in uniform shaped the person I am today. I learned valuable lessons in leadership and followership; how to build, inspire, and support teams; and the importance of values such as duty, integrity, respect, and selfless service. Those experiences, responsibilities, and perspectives have guided me throughout my civilian career and in my personal life. Most importantly, I am forever grateful for the lifelong friendships forged while serving, bonds strengthened through shared mission, values, hardship, and, oftentimes, humor. It is also important to note that the sacrifices were not solely with the veteran. To the spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who stood behind us, carried the weight at home, and supported their service members through deployments, moves, uncertainty, and long separations, you also served. Our service would not have been possible without your strength and sacrifice. To all who have served, and to the families who served alongside them, a big thank you! Today, we honor your commitment, your sacrifice, and your enduring contribution to our great nation.  Happy Veterans Day!

Shutdown politics hurts Main Street first. AxAdvocacy President Ashlee Rich Stephenson joined SiriusXM POTUS to discuss why Congress needs to get back to governing before paychecks go undelivered next week.  Watch the full interview:

The next big federal fight won’t start in Washington — it’s already brewing in the states. Want to stay ahead of emerging policy trends? Read our latest memo from our Principal of Pennsylvania, Alex Rahn, and contact our team to learn how our state and local expertise can help you spot, shape, and win the battles before they reach D.C.

In our latest memo, Principal of Public Affairs Elizabeth Coit explains how organizations can stay ahead of the curve with their public affairs campaigns in the modern political and media environment: ▪️Anticipate ▪️Adapt ▪️Build Momentum

The Hidden Cost of Delay: Why Federal Lease Renewals Need a Proactive Strategy For federal agencies, lease renewals can feel like a distraction from mission-critical work—until delays cause real consequences: higher costs, relocation headaches, operational disruptions, and even political fallout. In our latest memo, AxAdvocacy Senior Advisor Giancarlo Brizzi—former Regional Commissioner for the U.S. General Services Administration Public Buildings Service—explains why early, proactive planning is essential for federal lease renewals. 📌 The risks of waiting: Lost negotiating power Unfavorable lease terms Costly temporary space Delayed facility upgrades Mission disruption 📌 Why start early: Federal approvals can take years Early alignment ensures better rates and terms Data-driven planning improves renewal success 36-month timelines dramatically reduce holdovers During his tenure at GSA, Giancarlo’s region boosted its lease replacement rate from the mid-40% range to over 90% by dollar value—all by starting early, staying disciplined, and using data to guide decisions. Federal real estate planning shouldn’t be seen as just compliance—it’s a strategic opportunity to align space with mission delivery. For agencies, the message is clear: start at least three years in advance. Your mission—and the American people—depend on it. Read the full memo HERE

U.S. Chamber Senior Political Strategist Ashlee Rich Stephenson was quoted in Politico Morning Trade on the Chamber’s recent tax polling, which showed wide support for the pro-growth provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. "'There is far more to the narrative than topline reports indicating the bill is unpopular, particularly when large percentages of the nation are not educated on the legislation itself or the personal benefits that will help communities across the nation,' wrote Ashlee Rich Stephenson, the Chamber’s senior political strategist." The New York Times also reported on the poll after Fox Business broke the news on Monday. The poll was shared by the White House Rapid Response , White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt , and the Small Business Administration . You can read the memo here .

AXADVOCACY LAUNCHES ‘STATE & LOCAL’, BRINGING NATIONAL FIREPOWER TO STATE-LEVEL COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND GRASSROOTS Firm’s new offering delivers strategic communications, grassroots mobilization, and stakeholder engagement in all 50 states

Running digital ads has never been easier - or more misused. We see it all the time: 🚫 Vague targeting 🚫 Generic creative 🚫 Metrics that measure noise, not persuasion In our latest memo, AxAdvocacy Vice President Jonathan Dickerson breaks down how undisciplined digital strategy leads to wasted spend and what smart campaigns do differently. Digital advertising has never been more accessible or more misused. For a few hundred dollars, anyone can launch a campaign that racks up impressions, a handful of clicks, maybe even some new page likes. But none of that guarantees you moved the needle. Cheap ads don’t mean cheap influence. In fact, undisciplined digital campaigns are often the most expensive—because they waste time, money, and opportunity. We see it constantly: vague targeting (“voters in state”), generic creative, and metrics that prioritize reach or impressions over outcomes. In advocacy, that’s not just ineffective—it’s reckless. When you confuse activity for impact, you’re paying for noise, not persuasion. Digital advertising gives us powerful tools: segmentation by ideology, geography, behavior—even by historical geographical data. Used correctly, they can drive real outcomes. Used lazily, they produce nothing but inflated reports and exhausted budgets. Smart campaigns start with clarity: What’s the goal? Who matters? What message will move them? Then, they test. They iterate. They scale what works. We’ve seen $5,000 campaigns outperform $50,000 ones because they were built with purpose and pressure-tested along the way. And once you’ve reached someone, don’t stop. Repetition isn’t annoying—it’s essential. Most people don’t act the first time they see a message. They act when it shows up again, and again, and again—refined and relevant every time. That’s where remarketing becomes invaluable. If someone watched your video, clicked your ad, or visited your landing page, they’re in the conversation. Don’t let them drift. Stay with them. Advance the message. According to a recent study reported by Ad Age , advertisers waste 23% of their programmatic spend—nearly one in four dollars—on low-quality placements, fraud, and made-for-advertising sites. That’s not a media problem. That’s a strategy problem. At AxAdvocacy, we treat digital like we treat field: targeted, disciplined, and relentlessly focused on outcomes. If your ads aren’t converting, it’s time to rethink the strategy—not just the spend. .