Avoq

On the Inside Influence podcast, Co-founder and Managing Partner Steve Elmendorf shares what clients should be thinking about when engaging in today’s political environment: Clients need to think about the evolving ways members of Congress get information—what they’re paying attention to and what’s motivating them—and adjust how they communicate accordingly.

Congratulations to Catherine Turco King, Senior Director, Public Affairs, on being named a 2026 @PRNews Top Women in PR & Communications honoree in the Agency Account Accelerator category! This recognition honors the people who make the magic happen behind the scenes and the account leaders who go above and beyond for their clients every day. Catherine brings that to life through work that delivers real impact—from driving 17,000+ leads for a statewide teacher recruitment campaign for the Illinois State Board of Education to shaping culturally resonant storytelling with the Obama Foundation. Well deserved, Catherine!

Speaking on the Inside Influence podcast, Co-founder and Managing Partner Steve Elmendorf breaks down how Congress actually gathers information and makes decisions today. The intersection of policy and communications matters more than ever.

#sponsored From Albany to City Hall, @teamavoq helps clients navigate where reputation, regulation and culture converge — with bipartisan relationships, political intelligence and the kind of strategic advice that only comes from people who've sat in your seat. We're a full-service strategic communications, government relations and creative firm built for complexity and speed. See how we can help: teamavoq.com/services/

During @PRWeekUS' Crisis Communications Conference, SVP of Reputation Management Jaclyn Rothenberg and Head of Media Mike Melia joined journalist Chuck Todd and Exelon's Cynthia McCabe for a discussion on modern crisis communications. The conversation centered on hesitation as the true risk within this sphere. Panelists emphasized the role that silence or delay can play in quickly escalating issues, especially as media continues to expand beyond traditional newsrooms to include influencers, podcasters and other online communities. Jaclyn underscored the importance of “leaning forward,” noting that if organizations don’t step in early, others will fill that void and shape the narrative. Cynthia added that hesitation often stems not from incompetence, but from a false hope that an issue will pass quietly on its own. Much of the discussion pointed to the importance of a deep understanding of the current media ecosystem and where audiences actually are in their consumption habits. Chuck said without that foundation, communicators are “flying blind.” Mike reminded us that, ultimately, if a brand wants a narrative to stick, consumers appreciate human-centered storytelling more than facts and figures. #PRWEEKCRISISCOMMS

We’re honored to be named one of @Provoke_News' 100 Best Agencies in the U.S! Grateful for the clients who trust us with complex challenges, and the colleagues and partners who make the work better every day. bit.ly/3OExeY3

High engagement doesn’t always mean you’re winning the narrative. In a new analysis, @Shafian23 from our Audience Intelligence & Performance team examines Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first 100 days, and uncovers a broader lesson for leaders across sectors: attention is easier to generate than ever, but far harder to control. If you’re not shaping your narrative, someone else will. Read more: bit.ly/41vdMjw

Congratulations to @Shafian23, Manager, Insights, for earning a spot on @CityAndStateNY's Who's Who in Government Relations list! A well-deserved recognition of his expertise in political intelligence and policy analysis — from developing insights on NYC’s mayoral primary to helping clients understand influence, messaging and opportunities for engagement.

We’re honored that three of our client campaigns have been named finalists for the @Provoke_News Media North America SABRE Awards! Grateful to partner on work that drives real impact: • @NatlCouncilNPs, Nonprofits Get It Done — elevating the role of nonprofits and ensuring they are seen, valued and supported. • @PBS, Viewers Like Me — highlighting the vital role PBS plays in communities across the country. • @BoozAllen, It’s In Our Code — positioning Booz Allen as an advanced technology company. We are thankful for the trust and collaboration behind each of these efforts.

Congratulations to General Manager @cdonnelly81 and Partner @adamsteinberger for being named to the @ROINJNews 2026 Influencers Power List! Chris was recognized in the Consultants category, honoring leaders who help organizations shape their reputation, clarify their purpose and connect meaningfully with the public and key stakeholders. bit.ly/4s4QvAi Adam was recognized in the Government & Public Affairs category, celebrating professionals who skillfully navigate the policymaking landscape and help shape public opinion. bit.ly/4ro709x

We’re proud to share that Avoq and PBS took home multiple honors at the AAF DC ADDY awards, including Best in Show! The recognition celebrates our Viewers Like Me campaign, created to spotlight the audiences who power PBS and the vital role public media plays in communities across the country. By creating a dedicated space for fans to engage, share their stories and show their support, the campaign elevated the voices of the viewers who make PBS what it is. Congratulations to our incredible team, and a huge thank you to our partners at PBS for their collaboration and trust.

Most organizations recognize that AI shapes how stakeholders perceive their brand. Far fewer are prepared to take an analytical approach to understanding and influencing their AI story. GEOmetriq goes beyond tracking AI visibility. It connects AI-generated content to reputation context, narrative risk and real communications action. For many organizations, the right place to start is an AI visibility and GEO audit. Reach out to GEOmetriq@teamavoq.com to get started.

You can’t advertise your way out of a regulatory crisis. As drug pricing scrutiny intensifies, brand marketing alone can’t protect pharmaceutical companies from systemic policy risk. Today’s biggest threats are shaped by regulation, stakeholder narratives and public trust — not consumer demand. In this @MMMnews op-ed, Partner and Public Affairs Lead Jeff Smokler argues that underinvesting in public affairs has become a strategic liability, and that influencing how the system evolves is now a business imperative. Read the full piece here: bit.ly/4cskQUK

In a new @BusinessInsider essay, SVP of Reputation Management Jaclyn Rothenberg reflects on lessons from a crisis incident during her time leading communications at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and why targeted attacks today aren’t limited to CEOs. Her takeaway for organizations: crisis preparedness must extend across leadership, with real plans to protect employees, manage digital footprints and respond under pressure. Check it out: bit.ly/475DH4i

We’re honored that Avoq has been included in @observer's 2026 PR Power List, recognizing the 50 most powerful PR firms shaping the industry. This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and the clients who trust us to help tell their stories every day. Grateful to be part of a community that values creativity, impact and thoughtful communications. bit.ly/46HBAn6

Where data centers are built and how they operate is increasingly shaped by political and community sentiment, not just energy, land or capital. Our latest POV examines how state elected officials across the country are talking about data centers, where support is holding and where risk is emerging. The analysis is grounded in insights from our AI Policy Pulse Dashboard, a sentiment dashboard that has tracked state elected official mentions over the past 1.5 years. Authored by Audience Intelligence & Performance team members Jonathan Scharff, Shafian Rahman and Alex Lewis, this piece outlines what shifting political dynamics mean for data center developers, operators and energy partners navigating growth, permitting and public trust. Read the full POV: bit.ly/3ZvOAbG