Election strategist; political strategist

In a society where the public agenda and politics are to a large extent defined by the media agenda, the weight of the media is a growing one. Media professionals are essential assets in the exercise of politics as we know it: it is now more professionalised and involves an increasing number of journalists, advertising and public relation professionals, and audiovisual language experts. They carry out their occupation in the communication cabinets of political parties and institutions, not only public, who are increasingly aware of the need to find a place in the media in order to be seen to exist by a major proportion of society. Parties, institutions and companies are aware of the fact that communication is no longer just a complement but rather an essential component of any group strategy, whether business or political.

• Planning of political communication campaigns. Analyse and interpret all the information derived from market research and surveys to define the strategy to be followed. Define the communication strategy. Organise and coordinate the campaign team, external advisers included.
• Draw up communication strategies. Define the target audience (electorate segments). Campaign objectives. Define the key message and slogan of the campaign.
• Organise and manage communications. Execute action points. Analyse each activity, draw conclusions and analyse speech strengths and weaknesses, media quotes, etc. Also attend events held by the opposition in order to be able to draw comparisons with own party dynamics. Advise the candidate directly. Also decide which messages the candidate should send out in every situation and at all times, and be prepared for contingencies depending on opposition tactics, etc. Continuously provide information on the progress of the campaign and review any aspects the candidate should improve upon, including aspects of the election campaign. Campaign monitoring. Calendar control.
• Define the political, corporate and institutonal message. Define key campaign messages, slogans and mottos: draw up the general message of the campaign according to the region, audience, etc. and provide campaign slogans based on socio-economic, cultural, etc. factors. Draw up specific messages during the pre-campaign and the actual campaign to help permanently influence public opinion (slogans on public transport, citizen safety, immigration, quality of life and any other matter of public interest requiring a solution).
• Draw up, execute and interpret surveys. Draw up surveys to find out about the state of mind and current interests etc. of the electorate. as well as polls on voting intentions.
• Event concept and execution. Help decide which main activities are reserved to the candidate and who should attend any others (other representatives taken from the regional or provincial list for instance). Also handle direct marketing via mailers with electoral propaganda and ballot papers, party gadgets or souvenirs (pens, caps, keyrings, bags, banners, sweets, balls, etc.).
• Image and verbal & non-verbal communication consulting . Also advise the candidate on wardrobe, speech training courses, strict nutrition (due to the highly demanding pace: opening ceremonies, visits, dinners, etc.).
• Liaise with the media and opinion leaders. Dealings with the media which by law, provide free advertising spaces to the different parties. Constant communication with the different media, providing them with information regarding the movements of every candidate and any speeches and debates s/he might participate in at all times. Manage outdoor media (billboards, shelters, pennants and street furniture as a whole, etc.)

Regulated training and graduates

• Grau: Comunicació cultural
• Grau: Audiovisual i multimèdia
• Grau: Comunicació
• Grau: Comunicació audiovisual
• Grau: Comunicació i industries culturals
• Grau: Publicitat i relacions públiques
• Grau: Publicitat, màrqueting i relacions públiques
• Grau: Comunicació i periodisme audiovisuals
• Grau: Periodisme
• Grau: Gestió i Administració pública
• Grau: Ciència política i gestió pública
• Grau: Ciències polítiques i de l'Administració
• Grau: Administració d'empreses i gestió de la innovació

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Commitment to the organisation: Level 3

Orientation within reach: Level 3

Planning and organisation: Level 2

Communication: Level 3

Networking: Level 2

Analytical thought: Level 2

Communication

Those who show a preference for the field of communication are interested in the generation and dissemination of information. This information, however, can have various purposes: provide information on events and occurrences, generate public opinion on a certain topic or promote and publicise a service or product. Carrying out these activities requires knowledge of various techniques aimed at communication, persuasion and marketing.

Public Relations Manager

Lobbying expert

Institutional relations manager

Project Manager

Content manager

• Work hours

  Fill-time, except in the case of freelance workers. Peak times entail the need for longer working days, especially during official election campaign periods.

• Salary

  In the case of external consultants, this depends on the type and complexity of the tasks at hand. For employees who are on payroll, this ranges between 17.862 and 26.622 Euros gross per annum, although these figures may vary slightly depending on size of the contracting institution or party, experience and the professional rank occupied within the structure. Median: 21.808 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.
  
  

• Other features

  Being a member of political communication associations or recognised professional associations is a great help.

• Human resources and equipment

  Technological investments and physical premises are required office, headquarters to provide a consultancy location for prospective clients. A team made up of professional profiles with links to the world of communication and new technologies is also necessary.

• Initial investments

  Especially in training part of which should be abroad and the accumulation of experience, even if gained through voluntary campaign work.