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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 with legislators, making your case to the public, and explaining the importance of your issue. Maybe you require funding or a policy change that will benefit your membership. Maybe you want to expand a successful program. You've made great inroads! You have supporters! Legislators care about your issue! Now, the big question: how do you get

Mark Nicastre
May 30, 20252 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 27, 20252 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 4, 20243 min read


RCP: Messengers Matter in Advocacy Communications
When planning advocacy communications, the messenger matters as much as the message. As Pennsylvania debated its state budget, we got a...

Mark Nicastre
Jul 11, 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
Jun 1, 20231 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: Crisis Management Lessons from Philadelphia
In Philadelphia earlier this month, a chemical spill threatened the city's water supply. The experience offered important lessons in...

Mark Nicastre
Apr 11, 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


Crafting a Media Relations Strategy for the 2023 PA Legislative Session
Following the 2022 elections, Pennsylvania's government will have new leaders in the House and the Governor's office. Democrats won the...

Mark Nicastre
Nov 15, 20222 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 legislative session in Harrisburg, and there is a lot to track in the Commonwealth. Here are some quick thoughts on the state of play in Pennsylvania. The Fetterman Team is Really Good at Political Campaigns The Fetterman campaign has been very impressive. They’ve made two strategic decisions that have put their team on offense. One is a twist on

Mark Nicastre
Sep 16, 20224 min read


Next Steps After Pennsylvania Budget Advocacy Success
If you scored a policy victory in this year's budget, it's important to notify your supporters and stakeholders.

Mark Nicastre
Jul 16, 20222 min read


Launching Fitler Square Strategies
Today, I'm launching Fitler Square Strategies.

Mark Nicastre
Jan 4, 20222 min read
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