As inflation rose to generational highs earlier this year, voters seemed poised to vent their anger at the “party in power” in DC. Many progressives (including me) feared the worst in November.
But the shock of the Dobbs decision in June spurred an awakening among progressives (and plenty of moderates too) that fundamental rights are at risk, and worth fighting for. That, along with Trump and his witches brew of malignant narcissism, “celebrity” candidates/sycophants, and conspiracy-addled extremists, proved to be the catalyst for broad general election successes for Democrats and progressive reformers.
Voters signaled their desire to turn the corner from three tumultuous years in American history. They expressed optimism and pragmatism, in contrast to the chaos and extremism the Trumpers represent(ed). It was a movement affirming the institutions of our democracy, and it was, in a word, encouraging!
Convergence Targeted are proud to be winners at this year’s Reed Awards, hosted in Nashville. We won in three categories, representing our expertise in direct mail and digital advertising, and our history of innovation.
Best Digital Video – Mayoral, We created a short-form video for Otto Banks’ campaign for Mayor of Harrisburg, PA that worked across platforms, using dynamic text to reach voters who might have their sound turned off and using music and voiceover to reinforce the message on the screen for audiences on connected TVs or streaming video channels.
Our work in Kansas City helped us win the award for Most Innovative Tacticfor Direct Mail. Using large-scale digital printing, Convergence created hundreds of combinations of endorsement logos, geography- and age-specific bullets, and even varying font sizes to communicate with voters across Kansas City about the benefits of the city’s earning’s tax, which was renewed with broad support.
Toughest Direct Mail Piece (Democrat) – We helped defeat an incumbent state legislator as part of a primary independent expenditure in Virginia in 2021, communicating with voters about the incumbent’s troubling ethical history, including his use of PPP funds for a business that wasn’t what it seemed. Our efforts helped elected Democratic Del. Irene Shin.
Convergence Targeted Communications is seeking a Senior Strategist for full-time employment through the 2022 election cycle, preferably in their Washington, DC office. The Senior Strategist reports to the Vice President.
About the company: Convergence Targeted Communications is a boutique strategic communications consultancy based in Washington, DC, focused on electoral politics. We create and produce targeted communications (including but not limited to direct mail and digital advertising) for political campaigns and forward-thinking causes and coalitions. We’re proud that our client base encompasses a full spectrum of progressive/Democratic thought, and of our corporate and nonprofit/advocacy work.
We’re a small company with big reach – our clients have ranged from candidates for City Council to President, and we’ve worked in over 40 states (so far).
This cold Presidents’ Day weekend marks Convergence’s 7th birthday. We made it to second grade! Alas, school is virtual for the time being. But I want to thank you, our political playground pals, for helping us get this far. We can’t wait to trade fruit roll-ups and Doritos again as soon as public health allows.
Here’s hoping seven is a lucky number for all of us this year!
PS — Isn’t it nice to have a Presidents’ Day without having to read nauseating tweets from the President congratulating himself for being such a great President? #Refreshing!
Friend, What can be said about 2020 that hasn’t already been declared, muttered, cursed, or screamed by all of us multiple times this year? As a group exercise that doesn’t require Zoom, I invite you to verbalize your favorite/least favorite 2020-ism at this point …
Now that we got that off our chests, we at Convergence would like to express our sincere gratitude to our clients and friends who helped make lemonade out of lemons this year. You know it’s a strange political year when one of the most important actions in the history of our democracy since 1776 — defeating Donald Trump — seemed like a “meh” moment for some. And yes, there is much to “unpack” (another 2020-ism) about why there weren’t more victories this time. I tend to look for silver linings in political clouds, because if you don’t, then what the hell are you doing in this business? So here are a few I found, both personally and professionally, in the mire of this mostly-awful year:
At Thursday night’s Reed Awards in Atlanta, Convergence was proud not only of the four awards we won, but of what it says about our clients and our company’s mission. First, we won an award for our municipal mail for the fifth straight year, taking home a trophy for a large-format map showcasing Charleston, SC Mayor John Tecklenburg’s accomplishments across the city. Read some local coverage of this mail piece, and our award, at the Charleston Post and Courier.
The interior of our direct mail piece on behalf of Charleston, SC Mayor John Tecklenburg.
We were also awarded for best cross-platform campaign for our work with Mayor Tecklenburg. True to our firm’s name, we brought together direct mail and digital strategies and executed both, pursuing the same message and the same voters across multiple media, as part of a successful re-election effort.
Finally, we were award for most innovative tactic in direct mail for our work in Phoenix, Arizona, where we sent more than 250 different full-color versions of a piece of mail highlighting local opposition and local impact of a pair of ballot initatives that we helped defeat last August.
The cover of our localized direct mail piece highlighting the consequences of two ballot initiatives in Phoenix, AZ.
An outstanding record of municipal campaigns; a convergence of traditional direct mail and digital advertising; a relentless pursuit of innovative new tactical and strategic approaches. Those are three pillars of our mission, and we’re pleased to have been awarded by our peers for it.
As an added treat, our mail for Mayor Tecklenburg was also awarded “Best of the Best” by the political mail team at the US Postal Service. Each year, their team reviews every submission to the Reed Awards and chooses a single entrant from across all categories that they feel is the best direct mail piece submitted. We’re proud to say that our work was chosen for this honor.
Our Wins — Reed Awards Best Mail Piece for Mayoral – Non-partisan: Re-Elect Mayor John Tecklenburg, “Map” Best Cross Channel Ad Campaign: Re-Elect Mayor John Tecklenburg Innovation In Direct Mail: No On 105 and 106, “Local Impact”
US Postal Service “Best Of The Best” Re-Elect Mayor John Tecklenburg, “Map”
Today, we’re five! That means we can tie our shoes
unassisted, stand on one foot for more than nine seconds, and flip seats from
coast to coast. It’s been a fun five years of learning, growing, and helping
some truly stellar candidates make this country a better place.
The next five years for Convergence will be even more
exciting than the first. As the political communications landscape continues to
evolve, we’re ready to make the changes necessary to keep the progressive
victories rolling in. Our talented team is using the off-season to learn some
new skills that will make us even more of an asset to our clients.
Thank you to everyone whose stood with us these past five
years—we couldn’t have done this without you.
Chris
PS: For those of you who we’ll see in Austin next week at
the Reed Awards, we prefer tacos to cupcakes 😉
