And the survey says!: 4AAF members DO care about Government Relations October 14, 2010

Methodology

In June and July of this year, the 4th District AAF Government Relations Committee conducted a 10-minute online survey of members via SurveyMonkey.com.

•333 respondents participated
•Drawing for a free iPad provided incentive

Purpose
Gauge current attitudes, perceptions and familiarity of government relations issues related to the advertising industry among 4th District membership in order to provide an effective and engaging legislative initiative for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: general impressions about government relations:

Government relations and politics are important to our membership.

•86% indicated that they are interested in politics.
•75% believe that government relations activities plays an important role in their daily business.
•95% are registered to vote, and a full 60% say they try to always vote in all primary and general elections.
•70% have contributed to a political campaign within the past two years.

Our impression of the people we elect into office? They are popularity contest winners, who start with good intentions to serve the public good. . . but often end up just looking out for their own interests.

•“I believe most start out wanting to serve their country, then get caught up in the guck of old time politics.”
•“Well intentioned overall initially but subject to corruption – weak.”

Most important issue for our membership: JOBS AND THE ECONOMY.

TOP-LINE FINDINGS: member preferences and behaviors related to government relations

•Members use online news sources to political news coverage more than any other media channel.
•47% spend at least an hour each week engaged in some kind of political activity.
•Overwhelming majority of members ranked periodic email updates that are relevant to the ad industry as the most beneficial AAF Government Relations initiative.
•44% would like to hear a keynote address from a state legislator at a conference or program.
•40-50% of our membership have NO IMPRESSION of any key 4th district initiatives, including Florida AdPac, Rally In Tally, Lobbying or communications efforts.

For a full summary, download the pdf: 4AAF GR Survey Summary