For the long run

Kamala Harris’ vice presidential choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz could majorly impact the outcome of this election. Here’s what our political experts have to say on its significance:  

• “There's a lot of talk about whether the vice presidential pick matters or not. It does matter. It's one of the most important decisions the president has to make and it reflects their vision for the country. For anybody who thinks it doesn’t matter, I have two words for you: Sarah Palin. That VP pick was an absolute disaster and definitely cost McCain a lot.” – Trent Duffy, Partner

• “People are going to make their decision about Trump based on Trump – not based on his running mate. Kamala Harris on the other hand is not widely known and as the first woman of color to be the presidential nominee, the choice of running mate is going to loom much larger for her than I think it does for Trump.” – Beth Fouhy, Partner

• “It's sort of a balance, what this ticket will look like. The question is: where is there a good fit? There is a lot of talk about who can help win which states which is a factor but a good fit is important. That someone [Harris] would want to turn to when dealing with big, complex issues and is seen as a trusted partner.” – Karen Boykin-Towns, Senior Advisor

Journalism has become increasingly visual, a shift that can change how you engage with reporters. Major news organizations, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have made significant investments in their visual and graphic journalism capabilities in recent years. 

This trend offers opportunities to tell complex stories in an engaging way within a highly visual culture. Consider this guest essay in The New York Times on the origins of COVID-19 and this article in The Washington Post about the risks rising temperatures pose to those living with mental illness. Both pieces are significantly stronger with their visualizations, which improve the reader’s comprehension and engagement. Our colleagues at Health Media Insights share their thoughts on what to keep in mind: 

• When educating reporters on complex subjects or key data from your organization, providing visualizations can make your points more digestible and easy to share across social media. This can also help them see the visual potential of a story. While they likely won’t use your visuals directly, it can inspire their own graphics team.

• Even without your own visuals, acknowledging in a pitch that the subject matter is best expressed with visual supplements can help reporters see the story’s potential shape.

• Journalists and their editors will often connect early in the reporting process on visual components of coverage, particularly for complex stories needing detailed data visualizations or custom graphics. Giving media outlets ample time – and providing clean, raw data – increases the likelihood of journalists producing an engaging piece.

The bottom line: Despite limited newsroom resources, the incentive to create visually engaging stories is strong. Leveraging visuals can highlight issues that might otherwise be overlooked in long stories.

To sign up for FGS Global’s Health Media Insights newsletter, email health@fgsglobal.com.

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A recent conflict between Chinese and Philippine soldiers in the Second Thomas Shoal has elevated tensions in the South China Sea. While the two countries have tried to reach a consensus of ‘do’s and don’ts’ while resupplying their respective bases, China has accused the Philippines of going back on its word to allow prior notification and on-site confirmation. 

Rich in natural resources, a key trade route and a key strategic and military position, the South China Sea is the subject of numerous geographical ownership disputes. Our colleagues at Asia In Context have outlined what you need to know: 

• While economically critical for several Southeast Asian countries, the South China Sea is equally important to China as a crucial buffer zone against external threats. 

• The U.S. and key regional allies including the Philippines, Japan and Australia have all condemned China’s expansion tactics in the region, while Beijing is worried about being encircled and contained. 

• The U.S. has already promised Manila $500 million to boost its military capabilities.

• The Philippines has announced plans to develop an airport on a neighboring island.

• The key for all sides is to balance securing their strategic interests against escalating further conflict.

For more, sign up for FGS Global’s Asia In Context newsletter.