Lobbying & advocacy
#FEDERAL ELECTION - PUTTING ARTS ON THE POLITICAL AGENDA
COVID was a tough period for the arts but the facts are that the sector has faced savage cuts for over a decade, including a 19% cut in per capita investment, an 18.9% cut in artists incomes, the gutting of ABC funding for drama, and only 2% Australian content on our streaming services.
First Tier Media pulled together a campaign team of well-known artists and media personalities, arts bodies, arts academics & advertising professionals with a view to putting arts funding and policy on the agenda ahead of the federal election.
With over 40 pieces of significant national media across mastheads such as Fairfax, News Corp and the ABC, ads reaching close to a million Australians, organic social media growth of 4,000 in 6 months, assessing the arts policies of 3 majors and 6 independent candidates, and supporting 6 panel events in marginal seats, we succeeded in not only cohering sentiment in the sector for action, but in shaping arts policy, notably of three teals who went on to win their seats.
#LATEST:
SA STATE ELECTION - FLINDERS: FROM SAFEST SEAT IN THE STATE TO A MARGINAL
After being engaged by a client in mid-August 2020, First Tier Media began organising a very cost-effective campaign called Hands off Boston Bay (HoBB) to fight SA Water’s decision to place a desalination plant in the middle of an aquaculture zone.
HoBB helped cohered local opponents, developed a campaign website, social media accounts, a media strategy, a strong ground campaign reaching into the community, and political outreach. We firmed opposition and called for voters to support candidates that opposed the desal plant.
Through that work we produced a 24 percent swing in the safest Liberal seat in South Australia.
Influencing government policy and funding
There’s no iron law that says being the best in your industry or doing the right thing will be rewarded with more work, more funding, or the right set of industry policies, regulations, and levers.
Building a public profile, leading public debate in your industry, and developing relationships inside government is the best way to advocate successfully for yourself or your industry.
What is becoming more apparent in the last decade is the increasingly important role that media – traditional, social, and digital – is having on public sentiment. To be lobbying for change without a sophisticated media strategy is liking fighting with one hand tied behind your back.
What is an ‘outside’ lobbying campaign
While leveraging relationships inside government is a crucial element of lobbying, increasingly the power of an ‘outside’ media campaign needs to be brought to bear on an issue in order to move the needle and bring about funding or legislative change.
Developing Expert Advisory Panels, establishing Ambassadors, Supporters, & Allies, developing an integrated media plan (social ads, a slate of media releases, geo-targeting, CRMs), finding funders, and reaching the right stakeholders is part of getting a smart campaign strategy in place.
Instead of just going to a specific minister with your request, look to broaden the campaign and pull the right reins with a broader conversation in order to maximise your leverage.
David Latham, Director of First Tier Media, has created advocacy plans & lobbied successfully in the pathology, construction, disability, and aquaculture sectors.
First Tier Media works with experienced partners in the worlds of advertising, social, digital, and fundraising to deliver smart, targeted and affordable campaigns that work.
Book a complimentary lobbying consultation.
First Tier Media offers complimentary lobbying & advocacy consultations for organisations or alliances looking to affect change. Fill out the form or contact us on david@firsttiermedia.com or 0479 130 242