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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
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
The Most Common Finding in Communications Audits
In my experience conducting communications audits, the most common recurring finding is poor internal communications within the...
Mark Nicastre
Jul 20, 20232 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
How Should Advocacy Organizations Celebrate Policy Wins?
You organization and your stakeholders have worked hard to gain a significant policy win, now what? Too many times organizations simply...
Mark Nicastre
Jun 14, 20234 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: 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
Importance of a Multi-Channel Communication Strategy for Organizations
Here's how your organization can develop a multi-channel communications strategy.
Mark Nicastre
Nov 12, 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...
Mark Nicastre
Sep 15, 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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