Media Coverage of Brennan Center's Report Helps Push Passage of Campaign Finance Reform
Client: The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU's School of Law
Objective: Promote the passage of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act
Strategy: Positioned the Brennan Center's Buying Time 2000, the most comprehensive analysis ever done on campaign advertising, as an essential resource in the campaign finance reform debate. Used a multi-faceted approach of print exposure, Capitol Hill distribution, and strategic briefings for key policymakers.
Result: Generated noteworthy coverage in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Los Angeles Times. In addition, featured editorials in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Investor’s Business Daily. Op-ed articles by Reps. Martin Meehan (D-MA) and Harold Ford, Jr. (D-Tenn) cited Brennan Center data to argue for reform passage.
A widely syndicated article by columnist E.J. Dionne, on the need for campaign finance reform singled out the report. The media coverage around the Brennan Center report was strategically timed to propel the campaign finance reform legislation into final passage. It was the core of the Brennan Center work that was cited by the U.S. Supreme court in upholding this landmark law.