For political consultants, there was much to celebrate about the 2010 midterm election cycle. The elections featured exciting and competitive contests nationwide and the emergence of interesting political players, including many colorful candidates and social movements like the Tea Party.
At Campaigns & Elections, we have a bit of our own celebrating to do, as this is our 300th issue. We have been delivering high-quality editorial coverage of the political consulting industry for over three decades and plan to do so for decades yet to come.
2010 was also a watershed year in terms of political strategy and communication, and we are proud to recognize excellence in political campaign management, political consulting and political communication through our 3rd Annual Reed Awards program. The awards, named after Campaigns & Elections founder Stanley Foster Reed, embody his mission to strive for excellence in political campaigning. The awards bestow honors in dozens of categories for television, radio and newspaper advertising; direct mail; get-out-the-vote operations; and political technology.
The Reed Award winners, selected by a panel of over twenty-five judges representing the industry’s best campaigning experts, were announced at a gala celebration in Washington, D.C., on February 4, 2011. They represent the brightest talent and achievement in the 2010 elections. If you haven’t attended the Reed Awards dinner in the past, you’re missing one of the best nights of the year for political operatives.
The March issue also features a timely story by Sandra Suárez about how social media helped citizens in Egypt topple an oppressive regime and how the adoption of these technologies may lay the groundwork for a flourishing democratic system that includes free and fair elections. A related story focuses on the use of Twitter and social media in contemporary campaigns.
We will continue to monitor developments in campaign communications and report on how advances in media and technology can help you design and execute effective campaigns.
In the meantime, enjoy this issue, and thank you for reading.
Mike Hennessy
CEO