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Insights
Thoughts and strategy on crisis communications, public relations, and public affairs in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Pennsylvania Budget Season: Advocacy Tactics That Deliver Results in June
There's one month left until the state budget deadline in Pennsylvania. You've spent the last six months doing the hard work: talking...
Mark Nicastre
May 302 min read
Crafting an Advocacy Strategy for the 2025 Pennsylvania Legislative Session
Learn how your organization can pass legislation through the General Assembly in 2025.
Mark Nicastre
Jan 294 min read
Pennsylvania Public Relations and Communications Jobs Board
Introducing the Pennsylvania Public Relations and Communications Job Board. With the recent changes in the administrations in Washington,...
Mark Nicastre
Jan 272 min read
Client Success: PA Needs Teachers Gets Earned Media Coverage Across Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania faces a critical shortage of teachers, and PA Needs Teachers is leading the effort to alleviate the crisis. Our work has...
Mark Nicastre
Jun 3, 20243 min read
John Fetterman's Communications Style and Consistency on Key Issues
John Fetterman is a lightning rod. First, Republicans and conservatives tried to turn him into a boogeyman. Now progressives are upset....
Mark Nicastre
Jan 19, 20241 min read
A Media Relations Lesson from Baseball: What is on-the-record?
This week, a minor controversy erupted here in Philadelphia when comments made by Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia disparaging...
Mark Nicastre
Oct 12, 20232 min read
RCP: Three Zero Cost Reforms for Pennsylvania's Budget
Pennsylvania's budget season is coming to a (maybe?) crescendo. With billions of dollars in decisions coming in the next few weeks, how...
Mark Nicastre
Jun 16, 20231 min read
Challenging the Narrative of Pennsylvania’s Primary Election Results
Earlier this month, primary elections in Pennsylvania decided nominees for Allegheny County Executive and Philadelphia Mayor. The...
Mark Nicastre
May 31, 20231 min read
RCP: Should Pennsylvania’s State Parks Serve Alcohol?
Should Pennsylvania follow 30 states and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's lead and allow alcohol sales in state parks?
Mark Nicastre
May 19, 20231 min read
RCP: Off-Year Races Will Shape Pennsylvania’s Future
In a little more than two weeks, Pennsylvania voters will go to the polls for off-year primary elections. With races for Philadelphia...
Mark Nicastre
Apr 30, 20232 min read
RCP: Governor Josh Shapiro’s Impressive First 100 Days
In Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro is reaching his first 100 days in office. It's a small sample size, but so far Gov. Shapiro has built
Mark Nicastre
Apr 26, 20231 min read
RCP: Occupational Licensing Is Broken in Pennsylvania
This week, I wrote a piece for Real Clear Politics Pennsylvania on the occupational licensing system and the need for reform....
Mark Nicastre
Apr 19, 20232 min read
So you were called to testify before the Pennsylvania legislature
This week kicks off budget hearings in Harrisburg with cabinet secretaries and other state officials testifying before House and Senate...
Mark Nicastre
Mar 21, 20232 min read
Five Advocacy Tips for the Pennsylvania Budget Address
Tomorrow, Governor Josh Shapiro will give his first budget address. The address will kick off months of hearings and debates about what...
Mark Nicastre
Mar 6, 20232 min read
How to prepare a candidate for a debate?
Last week, John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz debated for the first and only time in the Pennsylvania Senate race. The Senate debate is...
Mark Nicastre
Oct 31, 20223 min read
Checking in on the campaigns in Pennsylvania and the fall legislative session
Even though the campaigns in Pennsylvania have been at it for a year plus, the focus sharpens after Labor Day. Add in a few days or...
Mark Nicastre
Sep 15, 20224 min read
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