# Catalyst Campaigning Brands get political with campaigns that encourage voter participation. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Nov 30, 2018 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/catalyst-campaigning ## Key Figures - Trend score: 0.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Catalyst Campaigning trend? **Catalyst Campaigning:** During the 2018 US midterm elections, a number of brands pioneered interactive campaigns that encouraged voter participation in a variety of ways through the use of social media, ride hailing apps, and other ad campaigns. ## The consumer insight behind the Catalyst Campaigning trend Today's consumer has more frequent access to political news, and specifically, varied opinions of others via social media. This has created an era where consumers hold brands to a higher standard regarding corporate social responsibility. Many today hold the expectation that brands need to use their platform to encourage individuals to fulfill their civic duties and serve as catalysts in empowering consumers for the greater good. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 24 to Nov 7, 2018 - Published: Nov 30, 2018 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Catalyst Campaigning trend ### Brands and Political Activism Brands partnering with political advocacy groups to encourage consumer civic engagement. ### Ride-Share Voter Access Ride-share companies providing discounted or free rides to polling stations to increase voter turnout. ### In-App Voter Registration Social media and tech companies partnering with voter registration nonprofits to increase user engagement with the voting process. ## What the Catalyst Campaigning trend means for industry ### For Ride-Share Companies Ride-share companies can partner with voter registration nonprofits to provide rides to polling stations on election day. ### For Tech and Social Media Tech and social media companies can partner with voter registration nonprofits to provide in-app registration tools. ### For Apparel and Retail Apparel and retail companies can partner with political advocacy groups to design products and campaigns encouraging civic engagement. ## Workshop question How can you serve as a catalyst in the political empowerment of your customer? ## Trend signals for Catalyst Campaigning Trend score 0.9 out of 10, from popularity 13%, activity 5%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 13% - Activity: 5% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Catalyst Campaigning trend 5 featured examples from Aug 24 to Nov 7, 2018. - [Vote-Encouraging Denim Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levis-use-your-voice): Levi's Use Your Voice Campaign Was Created with Rock the Vote (Category: Marketing) Implication: The apparel industry can explore collaborations with political organizations to promote civic engagement through fashion. - [Social Media Voter Registrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turbovote): Snapchat and TurboVote Have Partnered on a New Voter Feature (Category: Tech) Implication: As Snapchat partners with voter registration organizations, other social media companies could consider creating similar partnerships that allow their users to register to vote. - [Discounted Voter Rides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halfpriced-rides): Lyft Will Offer Half-Priced Rides During the 2018 Midterm Elections (Category: Business) Implication: The ride-hailing industry can leverage the trend of discounted rides during elections to attract new customers and expand their user base. - [Voting-Focused Internet Doodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/go-vote-doodle): The Google Go Vote Doodle Encourages Users to Do Their Civic Duty (Category: Tech) Implication: Leading tech companies can create digital tools and platforms that increase voter engagement and promote civic responsibility. - [Informed Voter Burger Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blank-whopper): The Blank Whopper Teaches Individuals the Importance of Choice (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing unique marketing strategies that promote social consciousness and engage customers in meaningful conversations. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Makeup Artist Jewelry Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandora-x-pat-mcgrath) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)