Mark McKinnon

Making Sense of the 2024 Presidential Race and All that Lies Ahead. The Circus is Back in Town (Actually It Never Left)

The 2024 presidential election was filled with unexpected drama and results that surprised pollsters and pundits. When you look at recent U.S. political history, it would be hard to make it up. Join Mark McKinnon to make some sense of it all. He will explore key factors that shaped the outcome from voter turnout and shifting demographic trends to the role of social media, disinformation and economic pressures. He’ll also look ahead at what the future of American politics might look like in the wake of such a contentious and polarized race. As someone who has worked for both parties inside campaigns and government as an operative and outside covering the all the shenanigans as a journalist, McKinnon offers insights into the strategies that worked (and didn’t work) for both parties, analyzes the changing demographic landscape and relevant issues, and discusses the broader implications going forward for governance and public trust in the system.

Bipartisanship. Is It Dead?

For more than two centuries progress has been achieved in America by the two major parties coming together and working out their differences for the good of the country. And while they might have vigorously disagreed during the day, you could find a democratic speaker like Tip O’Neil sharing martinis with a republican president like Ronald Reagan at night. But something happened over the last couple of decades that polarized our politics to such a degree that opponents became enemies and compromise became a dirty word.

Mark McKinnon worked half his life working for democrats like Governors Ann Richards and Mike Dukakis and the other half working for republicans like George W. Bush and John McCain. He cofounded No Labels, an organization dedicated to bringing the parties together and healing the breach through bipartisan problem solving. And he created a hit documentary TV series “The Circus” which reflected both sides of the divide. So, McKinnon has a lot of thoughts about how our politics got so divided and bitter, and whether there might be a path back to greater civility and progress for our country.  

The Power of Political Storytelling

As a seasoned political advisor, media columnist, and television producer, Mark McKinnon has a wealth of experience in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. Mark will touch on the importance of storytelling in politics, how to craft a powerful message that connects with voters, and the role of media in shaping public opinion. He will also reflect on the challenges facing political communicators in the digital age, such as the rise of social media, the decline of traditional news outlets, and the proliferation of fake news.

The Future of Political Advertising

As a former media strategist for five winning presidential primary and general election campaigns, Mark McKinnon has a wealth of experience in political advertising. Mark will speak about the evolution of political advertising over the years, the impact of social media on political campaigns, and the challenges facing political advertisers in the digital age. He will also touch on the role of data analytics in political advertising, the ethics of political advertising, and the future of political advertising in the United States.