Client Testimonials
RBI has worked in one capacity or another with hundreds of campaigns, government agencies and private sector clients throughout the world. Here are some in-depth testimonials that help paint a picture of the wide range of services we provide:
Campaign: Cary Kennedy for Treasurer
Non-Profit: Media Matters for America
Public Opinion Research: Americans for Gun Safety
Ballot Initiative: Judicial Term Limits
International: Liberal Democrats of Great Britain
International: Swedish Social Democrats
Campaign Client Testimonial: Cary Kennedy for Treasurer
In January 2006, Cary Kennedy decided to run for Colorado State Treasurer. Her knowledge and experience in public finance more than made up for her lack of experience as an elected official. Pitted against Kennedy was Republican Mark Hillman, a two-term state senator with semi-incumbent status (Hillman was appointed by the Republican governor to fill a vacancy after the incumbent left office for a tour in Iraq.) Most pundits believed it was Hillman’s to lose and that Kennedy would face an uphill battle.
RBI Strategies and Research developed a campaign plan, opinion research plan, and comprehensive budget with the help of Kennedy’s fundraising team, The Denver Development Group. RBI managed the search for a media consultant and campaign manager. RBI also facilitated all of the media planning and strategic placement for what was a very limited network television buy.
“When I decided to run for State Treasurer, one of my first calls was to RBI Strategies. Their experience was invaluable in assembling a winning team of consultants and staff that always put my campaign first. RBI kept me on message, on budget, and on track to win. In large measure due to their help, I became the first Democrat elected State Treasurer in Colorado in over fifteen years. I can honestly say I would not have won without their help.”—Cary Kennedy, Colorado State Treasurer
Through the talented work of media consultant Ann Liston of Adelstein | Liston, the campaign put together an ad that stood out from the rest of the campaign clutter.
After a long Election night, Cary Kennedy beat Mark Hillman with 51% of the vote.
Non-Profit Client Testimonial: Media Matters for America
When Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog organization, was looking to build their first state-based affiliate, they turned to RBI Strategies and Research for help.
RBI spent five months working with Media Matters to develop a state-based organization managed and staffed by Coloradans trained in the rigorous editorial policies and research methods developed by Media Matters for America. RBI facilitated an exhaustive search for the most qualified local staffers, from the Editorial Director to Researchers to Copy and Web Editors.
“When we decided to build a Colorado-based organization, it was important for us to have an understanding of the local terrain, political landscape and progressive infrastructure. RBI helped introduce Media Matters to the Colorado media and progressive community – their assistance was critical to the successful launch of our first state-based affiliate.”—Darrin Bodner, Chief Operating Officer
Media Matters for America
Only four months after launching, Colorado Media Matters hosted an unprecedented media panel that included the head editors of both major newspapers. Colorado Media Matters continues to effectively tackle conservative misinformation in the Colorado media.
Public Opinion Research: Americans for Gun Safety
In 2000, Americans for Gun Safety wanted to support initiatives in Colorado and Oregon to close the gun show loophole. The horror of the Columbine massacre had brought this issue to the forefront, but it was far from an easy victory particularly in western states where hunting and clay pigeon shooting is popular. They turned to RBI Strategies to help manage the effort, and in Colorado to craft their message.
Through our research, we ascertained that although the horrors of Columbine were sufficient to persuade many voters of the need for greater gun control laws, there was a need to reassure many voters of that this effort would not restrict their Second Amendment rights.
Based on this research, we devised the slogan, “With rights come responsibilities.” This message reassured gun owners that the initiative was not abridging Second Amendment rights, and at the same time appealed to their self image as responsible citizens.
Our research on this issue was able to help Americans for Gun Safety craft their message and shape the national debate. The research and messaging we devised has been used nationally in other campaigns.
Ballot Initiative: Judicial Term Limits
For several years, RBI Strategies worked with the Colorado Bar Association in anticipation of a ballot initiative to term limit state judges in Colorado. When in 2006 it became clear that such a threat was to be on the fall ballot, the Bar Association contacted RBI.
“RBI Strategies gave us a clear indication of our chances to defeat judicial terms limits, generally a popular issue with voters. RBI did an early poll that showed term limits winning handily, but with their strategic guidance we formed a coalition to defeat the measure. RBI advised us about getting out a consistent, effective message and helped in hiring an excellent campaign staff. They worked with us throughout the campaign on a day-to-day basis, keeping us on message and providing valuable direction and focus.”—Chuck Turner, Executive Director
Colorado Bar Association
The Vote No 40 campaign defeated judicial term limits with 57% of the vote.
International Client: Liberal Democrats of Great Britain
RBI began providing survey research and strategic advice to the Liberal Democrats in 1989, when they held just 19 seats in the British Parliament. RBI was brought in for a special election few others believed they could win. We worked with them to develop a message and field strategy and helped them win the election. Over the past 15 years we have helped them build on this initial success.
In the recent elections the Liberal Democrats scored a major victory, picking up 11 seats to bring their total to 62 seats—the best results for a third party in the United Kingdom since 1923.
With our help and advice the Liberal Democrats have expanded the party base through voter contact, message development and strategic planning. The party building activities increased the ability to take advantage of opportunities during the election cycles. Over the years RBI and the Liberal Democrats have developed a long term relationship that has been consistently successful.
“Nobody thought we would win the Eastbourne by-election. London bookies had us so far down that we were 100 to 1 shots. But Ridder/Braden helped us design a poll and craft a strategy which showed how we could win. Well, we won what the British press called ‘one of the biggest upsets in British elections in 50 years.’ The Eastbourne result was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Two weeks later Maggie Thatcher resigned. Ridder/Braden can be proud they had a hand in taking her out.”—Lord Chris Rennard, Chief Executive
The Liberal Democrats of Great Britain
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Client Success: Social Democrats of Sweden
RBI began working with the Swedish Social Democrats in 1992, conducting a workshop on new campaign technology and how to use it effectively for voter contact, initiative campaigns and fundraising. Following this workshop we began a long term relationship with the party and associated organizations.
Over the next five years we worked with them to elect two heads of state in 1994 and 1998. During our relationship we provided polling, development of field plans, targeting, and web strategy.
“About the only things you can find in Sweden that you can also find in Colorado are Saabs and snow. But Ridder/Braden has shown us how to adapt American political techniques to the Swedish political environment. They have been particularly helpful in introducing new campaign technologies and developing targeting data. Thanks to their expertise, the Party is doing things we’ve never done before … and we’re doing well, too.”—Bo Krogvig, Former Director of Information and Political Campaigns
Swedish Social Democratic Party
In addition, we have organized seminars and conferences for the Swedish Social Democrats when they have brought political activists to the United States for training and observation of political campaign activities.
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