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Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
Last week, I discussed the trends driving political media buying during the 2026 elections: record breaking fundraising; recent Supreme Court rulings; geopolitical and economic headwinds; incumbents retiring; and efforts to overturn voting rights. This week, I will provide estimates of political media buying by categories: Campaign, Medium and States/DMAs.
Continue reading “Elections 2026: Show Me the Money! (Part II)”
Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
Every election cycle raises the same question: How much money will campaigns spend on advertising & marketing?
The answer has less to do with which party wins than with how competitive the races become. History has consistently shown that when elections tighten, fundraising accelerates. As campaigns compete for persuadable voters, advertising budgets grow, media markets become more valuable, and broadcasters and other media operators see increased demand for political advertising & marketing. That dynamic is shaping the 2026 midterm elections.
Continue reading “Elections 2026: Show Me the Money! (Part I)”Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
In April, RAB posted two guest blogs I wrote about political media buying during the 2024 elections. At the time, I postulated that this election was unlike any previous election cycle because there were 20 “Great Unknowns,” including whether Trump would step down as a candidate before the Republican National Convention if convicted, and subsequently jailed, in any of the various court cases against him.
Continue reading “Elections 2024 Update: The Great Unknowns”Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
Last week’s post focused on the 20 unknowns of this year’s political cycle. This week, the focus will be on political media buying, trends and broadcast radio’s role and opportunities.
Continue reading “Elections 2024: Initial Projections for 2024 Political Media Buying“Highlights of the Data & Trends from PQ Media’s preliminary Political Media Buying 2024
Contributor: Dr. Leo Kivijarv, EVP/Research, PQ Media
For the seventh time since 2012, PQ Media is sharing its outlook on political media buying from its election cycle report with RAB members. During a recent presentation, I noted how this election cycle differs significantly from every previous cycle due to a plethora of unanswered questions that still exist. Some of these questions come seven months before the elections, which for this blog I’m calling the Great Unknowns – there are 20. That’s how unpredictable this year’s election cycle has become in determining how much will be spent by candidates, political action groups (PACs) and advocacy groups promoting or objecting to a ballot referendum.
Continue reading “Elections 2024: The Great Unknowns“
