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We Didn’t Gamble on Outreach, And It Won Us A Pollie Award

  • Ashley Molinari
  • Jun 11
  • 3 min read

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We’re thrilled to announce that Public Affairs Partners has been awarded the prestigious AAPC Pollie Award for Best Public Affairs Digital Campaign. This recognition celebrates our successful efforts in North Carolina to oppose the legalization of video poker and casino gambling.


We built a fast-moving digital campaign that brought the issue directly to the doorsteps (and screens) of key legislators and their constituents. And it worked: the proposal was declared “dead on arrival.”



⏳ The Challenge


A fast-tracked proposal to expand legalized gambling across North Carolina was quietly moving through the legislature. With just weeks to act, the coalition opposing the bill needed to raise the alarm and make lawmakers feel the pressure back home. The message had to be targeted, visible, and impossible to ignore — and that’s exactly what we delivered.


🎯 Our Solution: Strategic Targeting, Zero Guesswork


Our digital strategy targeted 10 key legislative districts, including direct outreach to legislators’ homes, offices, and churches. We focused on raising awareness and activating public opposition. Using voter-file matching and geo-targeting, we delivered a coordinated wave of display and video ads that drove users to an issue page, where they could learn more and speak out, and thousands did.


The campaign generated impressive results:

  • 1,477,365 Display Impressions

  • 722,718 Pre-Roll Video Impressions

  • 3,394 Click-Throughs to the Issue Impact Page


Every impression was engineered to do one thing: stop the gambling expansion bill in its tracks.


📣 The Impact: Bill Defeated, Message Delivered


Thanks to our strategic targeting, the digital campaign achieved saturation-level visibility in the most critical districts. Lawmakers heard the pushback loud and clear — and the gambling proposal never even came up for a vote.


💡 Why It Worked


This campaign succeeded because of precision, speed, and strategic targeting. We identified the right districts and decision-makers, ensured repeated exposure across multiple screens, and used real-time analytics to optimize performance throughout the flight. The result was a highly efficient campaign that translated public pressure into real legislative impact.


Faith Wins America leveraged its grassroots network, rallying pastors and congregants to send 654 emails through the campaign’s action page, mobilizing 585 advocates to make their voices heard.


🧩 How Can Public Affairs Partners Help Your Digital Campaign?


We specialize in creating digital campaigns that not only inspire action but also deliver measurable results. Here’s why clients trust us:


  • Tailored Strategies: We design every campaign to match your specific goals, whether shaping public opinion or mobilizing grassroots support.

  • Cross-Channel Expertise: From display and video ads to coordinated outreach, we maximize your message’s reach.

  • Data-Driven Results: Advanced analytics ensure precise targeting and messaging, making every dollar count.

  • Seamless Collaboration: We build campaigns that reflect your values, with clear communication and transparency throughout.


When you partner with Public Affairs Partners, you gain a trusted ally dedicated to advancing your cause and achieving your vision. Let us help you turn your digital campaign into a powerful force for change.


Looking Ahead


Winning an AAPC Pollie Award is a testament to Public Affairs Partners’ ability to engage, persuade, and motivate audiences to take meaningful action. We are honored to have played a role in this impactful campaign and look forward to continuing our work on behalf of clients across the public affairs landscape.


Want to use this Pollie Award Winning technology in your digital campaign or consulting agency?



About the Pollie Awards

The Pollie Awards (Pollies) are bipartisan honors awarded annually by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) to members of the political advertising and communications industry who have demonstrated superior work on behalf of their candidates and causes. A blind jury of professional peers selects AAPC award winners. Esquire magazine has dubbed the Pollies “the Oscars of political advertising”.

 

About AAPC

Founded in 1969, the AAPC is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy. The AAPC has over 1,600 members hailing from all corners of the globe. It is the largest association of political and public affairs professionals in the world. For more information, see theaapc.org.


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