The Persuaders Podcast

Is the traditional perception of Public Affairs outdated?   Modern organizations demand more of Public Affairs Professionals than a good network among current politicians, and we are seeing a transition in expectations from a firefighter function to a business enabler. But the lack of common ground both in our profession, but also in the interaction with other professions, causes a lot of frustrations and problems for Public Affairs Professionals.   If we can't even as a profession agree on a definition, how can we then expect other professions to understand what we do and don't do – and how we create value for organizations?   The guest on this episode is the "lobby-professor", Arco Timmermans, Public Affairs researcher, writer, and speaker.   Together we look under the hood of Public Affairs, and among other things talk about:   How Arco approaches the field of Public Affairs in his research Differences between PA and PR Cultural shifts and the meaning of polarization in the public and political debate Why businesses cannot stay in reactive mode – and they will lose to the proactive Medias negativity bias towards lobbying Why there aren't that many national Public Affairs associations Comparing PA with diplomacy, discretion is key Does the DNA of PA make it impossible to create more transparency and thereby openness to what do and can do? How do we speak the language of the organization? Should we even learn it? The lack of resources spend on Public Affairs education and training    From Plato over Machiavelli and into the future, we discuss the state of Public Affairs today.   Hope you will enjoy the episode as much as we did.   Check out www.anderskopp.com for more resources about Public Affairs.   Host: Anders Kopp   Producer: Sidsel Kaae Nørgaard   Links to articles or research mentioned in the episode:   Arcos article "Bringing science to practice: Designing an integrated academic education program for public affairs": https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research/research-output/governance-and-global-affairs/bringing-science-to-practice-designing-an-integrated-academic-education-program-for-public-affairs     The Public Affairs Manager Survey 2026, by Anders Kopp: https://anderskopp.com/the-public-affairs-manager-survey/

"Public Affairs - from a firefighter to a business enabler?" - this is the topic in this episode of the Persuaders Podcast - the only podcast only about Public Affairs...      In this episode we cover one of the biggest challenges in the Public Affairs departments across Europe right now: How Public Affairs can earn legitimacy.       To explore this topic, I have invited Jacob Lund Nielsen in to the studio.    Jacob Lund Nielsen has a long and impressive career in Brussels especially known for founding Cabinet DN, his time at Teneo as well as Rud Pedersen - Jacob is a founder, CEO and advisor.        In the podcast we discuss:     - Why Public Affairs is stuck in some organisations - and what are the signs?     - Being typecast - born out crisis - why does this become a problem?      - The lack of business skills in Public Affairs     - How has Public Affairs evolved as a function (and discipline) in organizations? Including the relationship to Comms     - What has changed in society and internally in organizations that call for changes in Public Affairs?     - How can Public Affairs become a business enabler? What happens if it doesn't?      - KPIs and measuring - a necessary evil to earn legitimacy?     Hope you will enjoy the episode as much as we did.     Check out www.anderskopp.com for more resources about Public Affairs.   Host: Anders Kopp   Producer: Sidsel Kaae Nørgaard 

The Public Affairs Manager Survey is a new yearly survey, which includes new data, insights and perspectives on the state of Public Affairs in Europe.    93 Public Affairs professionals from 27 countries in the EU has been interviewed for the survey by Anders Kopp.    So in this episode co-host Sosun Sendi, Public Affairs Director at Ulobby, interviews Anders about the findings of the Public Affairs Manager Survey 2025, including:         * Where is the Public Affairs function typically based?        * How is the relationship between Communication & Public Affairs?        * The biggest organisational challenges for Public Affairs Professionals currently?        * What is the typical size of the Public Affairs function?        * Budgets for Public Affairs the last 12 months - increased or decreased?        * Are the Public Affairs Professionals typically measured by qualitative or quantitative KPIs?        * Social media - how do Public Affairs Professionals include this in their activities?        * Top 3 skills needed to succeed in Public Affairs in the future?   The Public Affairs Manager Survey is available for free via www.anderskopp.com from the 18th of November.    The episode was produced by Sidsel K. Nørgaard.    Find all episodes of the Persuaders podcast as well as other resources about Public Affairs on www.anderskopp.com   The Persuaders podcast - the only podcast only about Public Affairs

New episode of the Persuaders Podcast is out! The only podcast only about Public Affairs...      This time we dive into one of the hottest and most hyped trends in our field: AI and lobbyism.      My guest is Peter Aagaard, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University in Denmark.      Peter has recently published an essay called "Digital lobbying 2.0," about AI and lobbyism, as a part of the Danish Democracy and Power Study.    In the episode we cover:    Is AI "the weapon of the minority"? Or have we heard this before? The AI-hype and similarities with the SoMe-era What will AI mean for the politicians on the receiving end of these AI-tools/functions? Which skills will be needed to succeed in Public Affairs in the future if AI changes the playing field? My (contrarian) take on AI - or digital innovation - and Public Affairs    Check out www.anderskopp.com for more resources about Public Affairs.   Host: Anders Kopp   Producer: Sidsel Kaae Nørgaard .   Shownotes:    Peter Aagaards research:  https://forskning.ruc.dk/en/persons/peteraa   Peter Aagaards essay in the Danish Democracy and Power Study (in Danish only): https://ps.au.dk/fileadmin/Statskundskab/Billeder/Forskning/Forskningsprojekter/Magtudredning/Essays/Essay_af_Peter_Aagaard.pdf    Other research mentioned: Alberto Bitonti - "Tools of digital innovation in public affairs management: A practice-oriented analysis" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pa.2888    

This time we talk about some of the biggest and hardest challenges in Public Affairs today: Delivering value and building a Public Affairs function from scratch!   To help me cover these enourmous challenges in Public Affairs, I am joined by Stefan Pinter, Head of Public Policy EMEA at Suzano - the largest pulp manufacturer in the world as well as one of the largest paper producers in Latin America.   Stefan has first hand experience on this topic as well as impressive merits from working with Public Affairs in difficult industries filled with challenges, like pharma, tobacco and energy. So I talk to Stefan about:   Delivering value: - how do you provide value in Public Affairs? - why is it often a challenge for Public Affairs pros to prove themselves? - how do you contribute to create value when you are basically a cost-center? - are there differences between industries - do some industries "get" Public Affairs more than others?     Building a Public Affairs function:   - how do you approach this and balance building a function while also delivering value short/mid/long-term?   - what should Public Affairs pros be aware of before they just jump in to it and start executing?   - how do you interact with other units/departments in your organization during the way?   - how do you work on Public Affairs issues cross borders and handle any cultural/geographical differences?   Tune in and get the answers in just 40 minutes.    This episode is sponsored by Ulobby, software for Public Affairs.  Host: Anders Kopp Producer: Sidsel K. Nørgaard