Campaign Gears

04/13/2024

We are thrilled that Canadian Association of Labour Media has added a stream for union organizers at this year's CALM Con! Hope to see you there.

New for 2024
The 2024 CALM Conference will feature a dedicated stream for union organizers to learn key communications skills. From getting video the moment that the workers walk out to understanding the pressures that journalists place on the comms department, this stream will help demystify the world of communications for union organizers and give them tools to make sure that their organizing efforts can be transformed into compelling storytelling.

04/13/2024

Don't miss our very own Ethan Clarke at this year's CALM Con!

CALM CON 2024 has a great line up of presenters! Ethan from Campaign Gears will be presenting 2 workshops and running clinics!
We will be in Edmonton at the Chateau Lacombe June 6-8
Registration is open on our website! www.uniontraining.ca

12/12/2023

In recent newsletters, we’ve talked about email lists, influencers, and planning an advertising strategy. We’ve touched on the impact of AI, the state of online spaces, and workplace burnout. And through all of these stories, there's been one common thread: the human desire for authenticity and community, and the rising awareness that we need more of both.

With this in mind, it's possible there’s never been a better time to consider the campaigning strategy known as deep canvassing, which offers people a chance to connect and share stories, while also making lasting change.

Deep canvassing provides a structure for fostering relationships, building empathy, and having heartfelt conversations with people who may not share our point of view - at least, not initially. Research shows that the technique is effective at changing attitudes in a real way.

So, is deep canvassing the right choice for your campaigns? This past week, we wrote all about the method to help you decide: https://campaigngears.com/deep-canvassing-conversations-for-change.

Check it out, and let us know what you think!

You can sign up for our newsletter here: https://campaigngears.com/ .

Deep canvassing is a campaigning method that promotes change through person-to-person conversations.Of course, these aren’t just any conversations. Deep canvassing involves non-judgemental two-way communication in which both parties can share their personal experiences, values, and concerns. This ...

11/29/2023

In our newsletter this week, we talked about the increase in headlines lately about the death of social media, and whether they're true (hint: social still isn't dead, but it's definitely evolving!). It's important information for campaigners and organizers, who rely on social media as part of their outreach and engagement.

It's not just social. There’s no question that the landscape of digital strategy has changed. Knowing which platforms to focus on, how to ensure emails reach intended inboxes, and how to successfully compete for attention online has become a lot more complicated.

The Center for Digital Strategy recently published a helpful resource called the Digital Strategy for Social Impact 2.0: https://www.centerfordigitalstrategy.com/digital-strategy-for-social-impact-2-0/

Framed not as a plan but a conversation starter, the piece acknowledges the changes we’re seeing and outlines some key tips for using email, social media, websites, digital ads, and text messages in your campaigns.

If you haven't already, you can sign up for our newsletter here: https://campaigngears.com/

Digital Strategy for Social Impact 2.0 We’ve reached a point where consistent digital playbooks of the last decade are broken. Across the board, I see people grappling with significant pieces of digital programs. Email deliverability and engagement are down for many orgs. Social media feels more u...

11/14/2023

This upcoming session from Social Movement Technologies about putting pressure on your target looks like it will be great! Knowing how to do this is such an important skill for organizers and anyone running campaigns.

We recently touched on this topic in our new resource on planning advertising campaigns that inspire action. If you haven't checked it out, you can do so here: https://campaigngears.com/planning-successful-advertising-campaigns-that-inspire-action/

Let us know what you think!

12:00 – 1:30pm (ET) | 90 minute session | Instruction in English, simultaneous interpretation in response to demand | Whether it’s a local school board or a global corporation, we know that for a target to give workers...

10/31/2023

When it's time to grow your campaigns, putting your resources into a strong advertising strategy is a great way to amplify your message, grow your supporters, and inspire people to take action.

Earlier this year, Campaign Gears President & Digital Strategist Ethan Clarke held a workshop at the Canadian Association of Labour Media conference that detailed advertising campaign tips and considerations.

That session went so well that we’ve developed it into a comprehensive guide to achieving advertising success so you can access it whenever you need it. Check it out!

The Campaign Gears Advertising Strategy Guide

10/27/2023

Coming up on Monday - if you run campaigns on limited budgets, this strategy session may be for you!

The largest campaigns, groups and political firms are investing huge resources to develop cutting edge generative AI tools to give them an edge. But what about those operating on a budget?In this s...

10/17/2023

— the word has become so ubiquitous, we hardly notice it anymore.

But burnout needs our attention. It’s a serious issue affecting people in growing numbers, as evidenced by Slack’s Future Forum quarterly surveys: https://futureforum.com/research. And while burnout occurs in all sectors, workers in the social and sectors are suffering at particularly high rates: https://mck.co/3Msj08D.

Characterized by feelings of exhaustion and depletion that result in negativity and cynicism about one’s job, research shows an association between workplace burnout and numerous adverse individual, social, and organizational consequences.

As burnout becomes better understood, there is an emerging realization that, rather than a personal issue to be handled privately by those affected, burnout requires action — specifically, preventative interventions and early identification — from the workplaces and organizations where the harm is occuring.

Amid the bleak revelations about increasing burnout rates, researchers Christina Maslach and Michael P. Leiter released The Burnout Challenge: Managing People’s Relationships With Their Jobs, which offers practical advice for individuals and organizations proven to increase overall employee health and happiness. Check it out: www.theburnoutchallenge.com.

For a different angle, this 2021 article from The New Yorker is a great read about the history and evolution of both the term and the condition of burnout: https://bit.ly/3PRIuNe.

Whether you are personally affected by burnout or not, it’s clear that a workplace culture shift is overdue. Prioritizing employee well-being, collaboration, and work-life balance is needed to foster the sustainability of work.

We'd love to hear about any efforts your workplace is making to address burnout and increase sustainable work practices — let us know in the comments, or sign up for our newsletter for more like this in your inbox every two weeks: https://bit.ly/3F0r6kF.

As a diagnosis, it’s too vague to be helpful—but its rise tells us a lot about the way we work.

10/04/2023

We are proud to share that the Campaign Gears-produced short film “Meeting Human Needs” has been announced as one of the 2023 films in the Canadian Labour International Film Festival!

Commissioned by CUPE Saskatchewan, the film sheds light on the Saskatchewan Party’s efforts to privatize publicly-owned corporations. The piece serves both to educate voters and as a warning to all Canadians about the negative impacts of privatization.

CLiFF shares the stories of workers fighting for justice and dignity for all working people. Their goal is to amplify stories that may not otherwise reach beyond a small audience so that workers can learn from one another and from the historical context of the labour movement. Find out more at labourfilms.ca.

Watch the full film here:

For decades, the Sask. Party government has been quietly selling off publicly-owned corporations, contracting out previously public services, intentionally u...

05/23/2023

Conference Workshop announcement: Crafting your advertising budget with Ethan Clarke from Campaign Gears
Are you struggling to connect with your members and/or supporters? Do you have a bit of a budget to fix the problem but don’t know how to spend it? This workshop will cover how to use advertising to reach the people your union needs to reach. We’ll cover your options for advertising on different social platforms, more direct streams such as digital programmatic, and working with influencers. We’ll even include some options for outdoor advertising and print. Once you leave this workshop, you’ll be ready to craft a budget for the executive board to approve.

10/03/2022

Congratulations to CUPE Ontario for their 96.5% strike vote. We were very happy to help this campaign by doing the branding.

Keeping our schools Education workers meet all our children’s educational needs. But because we pay them only $39,000 on average, thousands are on the brink of poverty. Tell Doug Ford that $39,000 is not enough…for education workers or anyone. Take action EDUCATION WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OU...

06/03/2022

Our team produced a short 20 minute documentary about public services and the Sask. Party’s privatization schemes for our clients at CUPE Saskatchewan. Watch it now!