Blogs
Three million more Britons will gain the right to vote
The Elections Bill is at committee stage in the House of Commons. It has the potential to have major impacts on voter numbers and the characteristics of the UK electorate, giving 3 million British citizens overseas the right to vote for life. What impact will this have on democracy and the Electoral Commission?
Extinction Rebellion – PR masterclass or car crash of public opinion?
London has witnessed a dramatic fortnight with the return of Extinction Rebellion. The movement has once again divided opinion, and made itself heard, but more importantly are they bringing campaigning into a new era?
Why Facebook advertising should be part of your local campaigning
I am sure many of us have sat in association meetings and been told at least once that we don’t need traditional literature anymore and “everything can be done via social media”. In truth, all forms of media provide a way of communicating with the electorate and all have value if used sensibly at the right time. Social media is no different. So, what is the best way to use it?
How and why you should consider incorporating QR codes into campaign literature
QR codes have been a quirky addition to marketing campaigns for some time, but with near ubiquitous smartphone use, especially amongst those hardest to canvas by traditional methods, they are a tool all campaigns should be using to maximise data capture.
So, you want to become a Conservative MP?
The list of Approved Conservative Candidates is being refreshed, with all those previously on the list being asked to complete a new application and attend a ‘Re-list Assessment Centre’, if they still want to pursue a Parliamentary career.
The Boundary Review is Here. What Now?
As MPs and constituency officers pore over the details of the review released publicly this morning, there may well be some fulminating and harrumphing about some of the changes.
Whilst overall the review is seen by many commentators as consolidating or improving the Conservative position, there are places where sitting Conservative MPs might be feeling more vulnerable this morning.
Digital campaigning must be constant. Not just for a few weeks before an election.
Maintaining a high level of contact with electors is proven to deliver results at council level, and where turnout is low, this can mean the difference between winning and losing. Historically this took the form of leafleting and canvassing, door-to-door or by phone, but increasingly leaflets go straight in the recycling and fewer people are willing to engage with canvassers. This is where digital tools become game changers.
College Green Group is Nominated as a Finalist for three Reed Awards
College Green Group is proud to announce it has been nominated as finalist in three categories at this year’s Reed Awards, the most exacting awards in political campaigns, grassroots and advocacy.
Why Businesses Benefit from Understanding the Political Environment in Which They Operate
As businesses emerge from the storm of the last 12 months they will no doubt be seeking every advantage possible to get back on their feet and recoup lost profits. At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the environment in which a business operates is becoming ever more politicised. The effect of recent trade wars still reverberates and the UK’s policy on new trade deals remains heavily influenced by Brexit. Rather than fight against it, businesses should embrace this new reality, to leverage it and improve the post-pandemic health of their balance sheet.
College Green Group Appoints Jason MacKenzie as Director of Strategic Development
Former Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) president, Jason MacKenzie, has joined Westminster-based political communications consultancy College Green Group as director of strategic development. Jason comes to the group from corporate affairs agency Nudge Factory, where he was managing partner.
Thomas Borwick Reflects on the Internal Communications Challenges Faced by Businesses as Lockdown Lifts
In response to Chris Calland’s recent PR Week piece on the communications challenges faced by businesses as we ease out of lockdown, Thomas Borwick, founding director of communications and campaigns consultancy College Green Group, sets out some practical steps that business owners and managers can consider taking to meet those challenges.
Are you ready to be an MP?
Lots of people want to be MPs and the Conservative Party is about to begin creating its “approved list” by inviting all those who were previously on it to re-apply. This is the first step of the journey, to being an MP and must be done, long before the stage of being considered by actual constituencies.
Research as a College Green Group Service
Scientia potentia est or ‘knowledge is power’ is a term often attributed to British philosopher Sir Francis Bacon, although the exact origin of the words in his work is unknown. Regardless, at College Green group we are firm believers that knowledge is indeed power, and ensure that this focus on being as informed as humanly possible is evident in everything we do for our clients.
Commission Based Fundraising for Campaigns
Campaigning, whether it be for a political party, candidate or single issue campaign, is second nature to the team at College Green Group. We cut our teeth working on globally relevant political campaigns like Vote Leave, and have since run or supported various parties, candidates and single issue campaigns to raise awareness and achieve electoral and legislative goals.
College Green Group Implements ISO 27001, the Highest Level of Information Security Management
On 15th January 20201, College Green Group achieved ISO 27001 certification, reflecting an ongoing commitment to the highest levels of information security management.
Why Ensuring Robust Cyber Security is Now Vital for Firms of All Sizes, Candidates and Campaigns
Business and tech focused news sites have been full of stories about data breaches recently including personal data, including credit card information, birth dates and social security numbers.
College Green Group initiative Get Your Jabs polled Britons’ attitudes towards a Covid-19 vaccine just ahead of its national rollout last week
Just before the announcement that the UK’s Medicines Regulator had decided to licence the Pfizer BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine, Get Your Jabs asked YouGov to poll 1,700 people about their attitudes to taking the vaccine.
Why Protecting Your Business from Fake News is Now More Important Than Ever
Inherent in the nature of social media is the ability to share, and in the last five years this has been weaponised more and more, to the extent that it now takes just one rumour and 200 fake identities to destabilise a country or cause a Fortune 500 company’s stock price to drop by 10%.
How your messaging can be clear and stand out at the same time
Organisations and business leaders often make a common mistake when describing their product or mission in the age of modern communications, choosing sales-message-heavy communications as a way to convert sales or affect opinion.
What does the future hold for traditional media after a Trump Presidency and a global pandemic?
Fact checking the news would have seemed like an entirely alien and unnecessary concept ten years ago, especially in The West, where we take freedom of speech and the integrity of our news organisations for granted.
China: Threat or Opportunity?
Last week, our team worked with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Foreign Affairs, to host a webinar discussion entitled China: Threat or Opportunity. College Green Group Campaign Manager John Moss shares his thoughts below.
What learnings can my company take from the US election campaign?
The question I have been asked most often this week is a simple one, being: “How can my company use what you learned from the US election campaign?”. I have found that there are three main lessons that can be taken from the election itself.
Helping MPs to run “Unsung Hero” campaigns
MPs have been working hard for their constituents and businesses throughout the pandemic, sorting out business grants, joining in with deliveries of food and medicines to those who were shielding and generally rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in across the board, irrespective of party.
