Kenny Day

When Americans look for information about politics and elections, one of the first places they turn to is Google. The Associated Press and Google Trends have partnered throughout this year to show what folks are most interested in: crime, healthcare, unemployment, economy and so on. The data updates weekly and you can drill down to see which topics are on the minds of residents in your county. Hope you take a look.

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Policy changes would not be possible if no one spreads the word. Dave Bondy, Digital & Video Manager for the Mackinac Center, makes it his business to inform the public. On the Overton Window podcast, Bondy discusses how the Mackinac Center reaches people looking to learn more about impactful policy. Bondy’s interest in journalism started when he was seven years old. “I would go around the neighborhood with a little fake microphone and interview neighbors,” Bondy says. He got involved with high school and college newspapers, at one point covering college sports for the Detroit Free Press. "Your job is to hold the powerful accountable," a colleague told Bondy when he began his reporting career. This became a guiding principle in his career, pushing him to challenge authority and expose untold stories. Bondy brings deep experience with digital media — particularly short-form videos. “The one-minute short videos do great right now. In a year from now, they may not,” he says. The constantly shifting landscape requires an understanding of the algorithms’ nuances. In the rise of social media, it can be said that every user is a journalist. "I don’t agree with that,” Bondy says, “There are still ethics, there are morals, there are certain rules—you can’t go out and slander or defame someone.” His commitment to fairness and objectivity is central to his work. "I will be critical of Democrats, Republicans, independents. I try just to give the information and not tell people how to think,” he says. Bondy’s career reached a turning point when he faced backlash in the workforce for his criticism of an elected official. He realized he couldn’t work in an industry that compromised the pursuit of truth to maintain access to sources. It was this experience that led Bondy to the Mackinac Center. “I came in wanting to help spread the message not just to people who already know about the Mackinac Center, but to people who don’t,” Bondy says. Through his work, Dave Body strives to bring authenticity and transparency to the digital realm, encapsulated in his brand, "Keeping it Real." The slogan aims to capture “the realness of just being me and some may not like it at times, but I try to be very fair.” There is a growing need for voices like his. In an age where algorithms often trap users in echo chambers, Bondy’s focus remains on filling the knowledge gaps left by legacy media. Jessica Wyeth Dave Bondy

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💡 From the fediverse to the Kamala Harris election campaign, SEO, and more: Insights in FIR 425. In this episode of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I explore six key topics that are shaping the future of business, communication, and technology: 🔹 Fediverse and Digital Sovereignty: We discuss the growing disillusionment with platforms like X and the potential for governments to establish their own instances on the fediverse to maintain digital sovereignty and control over public discourse. 🔹 The Decline of Individuality: A recent study shows a significant decline in people’s desire to stand out over the past 20 years, which has implications for society and how businesses engage with their audiences. 🔹 Corporate DEI Backlash: With growing political and social backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, some companies are scaling back their efforts. But are they abandoning these goals or just changing how they communicate them? 🔹 Impact of Disabling Social Media Comments: Research reveals that disabling comments on social media can harm the perception of influencers and public figures, making them appear less sincere and likeable. 🔹 Kamala Harris’s Gen Z Campaign Strategy: We delve into how Kamala Harris’s campaign successfully engages Gen Z voters by mastering platforms like TikTok and leveraging influencers to drive massive engagement. 🔹 AI and the Future of SEO: The rise of generative AI and concepts like 'zero-click search' are changing the SEO landscape, with new strategies needed to maintain visibility in an increasingly AI-driven search environment. 🔊 For a deeper dive, listen to episode 425 of the podcast - check out the full blog post with audio player here: ⬇️ #Podcast #BusinessTrends #AI #DEI #DigitalMarketing #SEO https://lnkd.in/eCM9mj9d

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The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism annual report out today is - as usual - chocful of really useful data and analysis. In this epic year of more-elections-than-ever, one stat stands out in particular: News avoidance is now hitting an average of 39%. That's a serious challenge. AI, podcasts, social, subscription news vs. free online - yes, these are all interesting dimensions too, but when people are actively tuning out of the news to such an extent, it raises questions: - how much the attention economy (doomscrolling from one insipid frivolous video to another) is actually draining people's energy and focus from the really important things happening in their town, region, country and the wider world? - what is the future of news consumption? even emerging trends such as short clips (on Tik-Tok and LinkedIn) and dedicated deep-dives (on SubStack and the like) don't necessarily point the way to a broad future. - how best to sustain media plurality that also nourishes a varied media diet? Given how geopolitics is likely to get more divisive in the immediate years ahead, media companies really need to work on bringing people (or all generations) back to the news. And we would all do well to discuss the news a bit more with family, friends and colleagues. https://lnkd.in/eqtPUX-6

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Interesting to see how widespread the boycott of brands over the Gaza conflict has become. At Anavizio Data Solutions & Technologies we’ve been tracking the issue on social media since October and - while the effectiveness of the boycott may be debated - it shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. That is because public anger over what is happening in the Palestinian Territories is very real and, in the face of an otherwise helpless situation, boycotting is one of the only things people can do. If nothing else it goes to show just how important social media has become in shaping brand perceptions and impacting purchase decisions!

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From Frank Mungeam (Local Media Association) top takeaways for local newsrooms from the Reuters Digital News Report. 1. Traditional pathways to news continue to be disrupted 2. There is a shift especially among younger audiences toward video news formats, both short form and longer form 3. When it comes to trust in news, local TV news and local newspapers lead the way

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📻 Standing with Public Media: A Vital Resource Under Threat 🎙️ A recent Semafor article highlights the challenges facing U.S. public media as we head into 2025. Organizations like NPR and PBS, which have long been pillars of unbiased journalism and community enrichment, are confronting renewed political and financial pressures that could jeopardize their future. 💡 Why Public Media Matters: Public broadcasters provide: • Trusted journalism: Fact-based reporting in an age of disinformation. • Equity in access: Reaching underserved and rural communities. • Cultural enrichment: Educational and cultural programming that inspires and informs. With the rise of commercial media giants and ongoing political scrutiny, the future of public broadcasting relies on the support of communities and individuals who value its mission. 🛡️ How We Can Help: Whether it’s through advocacy, donations, or simply spreading awareness, we all have a role to play in ensuring public media continues to serve the public good. Now, more than ever, we must come together to preserve this essential resource for the next generation. House of Kaizen proudly supports public media organizations like Chicago Public Media and the Chicago Sun-Times. We strive to strengthen these companies through our efforts because we believe in their mission. #PublicMedia #SupportLocalJournalism #Semafor #NPR #PBS #MediaMatters https://lnkd.in/ew6jDrVP

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Political donations play a critical role in shaping the landscape of electoral campaigns in the United States. These contributions not only provide essential funding for campaign activities but also reflect the engagement and priorities of different groups of Americans. Using data from AnthologyAI, we explored the nuances of political donations to uncover patterns and strategic insights that could enhance campaign fundraising efforts. https://lnkd.in/ey-J39DQ AnthologyAI

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Seeing great posts from friends, colleagues and media safety & freedom orgs today marking #WorldPressFreedomDay. Important time to appreciate the critical work and severe challenges - often risking life and freedom - that journalists face today. There is no more important part of my team's mission than enabling the exceptional work of all the Dow Jones-publications across conflict areas, covering crucial economic and business stories securely, telling the stories of climate and disaster, and working within increasingly hostile autocracies. Risky work that gives us all purpose - at the The New York Times, The Washington Post and beyond. "In a world increasingly characterized by geopolitical tensions and sweeping government restrictions, the role of journalists has never been more crucial—or more challenging. As they navigate the complexities of reporting from countries with significant security concerns, they face a myriad of risks that threaten both their safety and the integrity of the press. From the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia, to the surveillance-heavy landscape of China, and even the operational difficulties in Africa, our journalists encounter daily challenges just to bring us honest, reliable news." - Dow Jones

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Starting a new blog series today. Understanding the role of a lobbyist and how they can benefit your organization. Today's blog article is What is lobbying and who are lobbyists? https://lnkd.in/grkZWTHQ

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SWIFT IMPACT: POP SUPERSTAR'S ENDORSEMENT MAY BACKFIRE, SAYS LEADING U.S. MEDIA EXPERT Michael Levine Cites Poll Showing Taylor Swift's Support for Harris-Walz Ticket Turning More Voters Away Than It Attracts According to leading U.S. media expert and best-selling author Michael Levine, Taylor Swift's recent endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz might not be the vote-swaying move some expected. It could be driving more voters away than pulling them in. A new YouGov post-debate poll released on Saturday reveals that while 8% of voters said Swift's endorsement makes them "somewhat" or "much more likely" to vote for Harris and Walz, a staggering 20% said they are "somewhat" or "much less likely" to vote for the Democratic ticket now that Swift has thrown her weight behind it. A majority of 66% reported that Swift's endorsement will not influence their vote in November. Swift, a Grammy-winning artist with a massive social media following of 283 million, clarified her position shortly after the recent debate, stating, "I've done my research, and I've made my choice," in an Instagram post. Levine, renowned for his media and public influence expertise, suggests this polling data reflects a growing backlash against celebrity involvement in politics. "It's a fascinating example of how public figures may be miscalculating the influence they wield," Levine said. "While Swift's voice carries weight in popular culture, political endorsements may be an entirely different beast—one that could alienate more voters than it engages." As the 2024 election intensifies, this celebrity endorsement raises fresh questions about the power of star influence on American politics. https://lnkd.in/gM38yqZD #taylorswift #2024election #careeradvice #selfgrowth #motivationalcoach #businesscoach #personalcoach #michaellevineconsulting #michaellevine #whatisyourwhy #losangeles #wisdom

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Language in the Press Forward "Closing Local Coverage Gaps" program FAQ warms my heart: Using LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers' definition of sustainability as a framework, we will prioritize outlets that are intentional about their editorial impact, operational resilience, and/or financial health. We will support organizations that have a clear plan for how they will use this investment as a foundational step toward developing and maintaining a long-term business model. https://lnkd.in/eGKFYhGz #impact #localnews #sustainability

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This lame duck session isn't looking lame at all. Join our webinar today at 2pm ET to get the scoop on how advocacy campaigns can make the most of this year's lame duck session.

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Happy to share that Report for America is announcing 100+ newsroom partners and is opening applications for news corps members. Three-quarters of newsrooms are partnering with Report for America as traditional host newsrooms for corps members, and a select group is taking part in a pilot accelerator program to develop sustainable business models through local philanthropy. “Today’s news marks an exciting expansion of our proven model,” said Kim Kleman, executive director of Report for America. “Not only are we recruiting and placing exceptional journalists in communities that need them most, but we’re significantly increasing our efforts to help newsrooms become more financially stable.” https://lnkd.in/e2HXy8XK #newsrooms #localnews #journalism #application #journalist #reporting

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