Must Read | Public Affairs Out In The Open A reorganization of PPAI’s public affairs efforts empowers the Association to prioritize timely communication on key issues and serve members more directly. By Jonny Auping Of all of PPAI’s ongoing missions and efforts, its unending work in public and government affairs can seem like the most behind-the-scenes way to serve members. From massive legislative shifts to the finer points of compliance regulation, PPAI is always busy advocating on behalf of the best interests of its members and the promotional products industry. Going forward, however, a reorganization in PPAI’s public affairs efforts aims to bring that work out from behind the curtain by shifting it under the purview of the Association’s media department. Included in these moves is an enhanced lobbying investment through the hiring of a leading K Street firm to keep a constant dialogue between the promo community and Capitol Hill. The media team’s research capabilities empower an organized and detailed approach to public affairs, and its editorial team allows for each individual PPAI member to be briefed on all the most important compliance and legislative happenings in the timeliest way. “Bringing public affairs under the media and research umbrella has enabled PPAI to amplify advocacy in a way that’s sharper, faster and deeply aligned with member needs,” says Alok Bhat, PPAI’s market economist, research and public affairs lead. Working in regular consultation with the Government Relations Action Council, the media department will take a holistic approach to public affairs; deploying lobbying efforts to safeguard promo’s future and reaching members’ inboxes to keep them informed about the present. alb2018 / Andrea Izzotti / Shutterstock.com 36 • JANUARY 2025 • PPAI
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