The Business of Democracy

With a high potential for election-related crises over the coming weeks, engagement from the private sector can help bolster a smooth electoral process. In a recent panel, FGS Global spoke with election law experts from Protect Democracy on how the business community can engage at key milestones where threats are likely to peak.

Key phases to be aware of:

• Voting (Sept 6 - Nov 5): During this period, misinformation about mail-in voting, voter eligibility and election processes can proliferate, causing confusion and distrust. Threats of violence and intimidation at polling places and dropboxes, as well as last-minute rule changes could potentially disrupt the voting process.

• Tabulation and certification (Nov 5 - Dec 11): During this period, misinformation about the vote counting process can spread, and there may be attempts to disrupt the counting at central facilities. Legal challenges and frivolous lawsuits aimed at delaying or questioning the certification of results are also common.

• Post-election and transfer of power (Dec 12 - Jan 20): During the final phase, misinformation and coercion efforts may target state electors or members of Congress. Procedural threats could arise if there are attempts to interfere with Congress’s certification of the electoral vote count on January 6th.

Private sector actions:

• Encourage internal engagement by fostering discussions and encouraging civic engagement. 

• Amplify trusted voices by sharing information from reliable sources.

• Engage with elected officials by building and maintaining relationships with secretaries of state, governors and members of Congress.

• Support civil society by facilitating discussions of the election process and standing with coalitions urging a peaceful transfer of power.

Ahead of the U.S. elections when social media activity and public scrutiny intensify, organizations looking to safeguard their reputation must be prepared for potential crises online.

FGS Global’s social media experts offer the following guidelines for crisis control on social media. By adhering to these best practices, brands can minimize potential damage, ensure consistent communication and transform a crisis into an opportunity to strengthen relationships with their audience:

1. Implement an action plan: Assemble internal stakeholders to create a detailed crisis response plan, assigning responsibilities and timelines. Post-crisis, review the plan's effectiveness to improve future protocols.

2. Continuously monitor: Use third-party tools to track brand mentions and sentiment across various platforms, including niche networks, to swiftly address emerging issues.

3. Assess before responding: Gather all relevant information and analyze audience feedback to understand concerns before issuing statements. Collaborate with PR, legal and marketing teams to decide the best course of action.

4. Do no harm: Adopt a "do no harm" mindset during negative commentary surges to avoid escalating the situation.

5. Identify influencers: Identify key voices including journalists, policy influencers, industry experts and social media personalities who are actively discussing the issue. Monitor them to understand the evolving narrative and address misinformation if it arises.

6. Consider targeted paid campaigns: Consider hyper-targeted ads to counter false information, ensuring consistent messaging across channels. Prepare for potential backlash and adjust strategies based on audience sentiment.

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Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating - they are a long-running American business. Some facts from our colleagues in our Food & Agriculture practice:

• Historical roots: Pumpkins are native to the Americas, with cultivation traced back to 7,000 BCE in present-day Mexico.

• Widespread production: Today, pumpkins are commercially grown in every U.S. state, with uses ranging from culinary to decorative.

• Market distribution: About 85% of U.S. pumpkin acres harvested go to the fresh market, mostly for decoration. The remaining 15% go to the processing market, which are used in food products, such as pumpkin puree, priced lower than decorative pumpkins. 

• Price variations by state: In Illinois, about 70% of pumpkin acres are harvested for processing. This means that Illinois growers consistently received the lowest prices, averaging $40 per 1,000 pounds of pumpkins during 2021 to 2023. In contrast, Washington growers consistently received the highest prices for their predominantly decorative pumpkins, averaging $355 per 1,000 pounds during 2021 to 2023.

• National price range: In 2023, prices in other top pumpkin-producing states averaged between $177 and $203 per 1,000 pounds of pumpkins, mostly decorative.

For more like this, subscribe to FGS Global’s weekly newsletter, What We’re Watching In Food & Ag.