Campaign Forum Anniversary: 25 Years of Dedication to a Good Cause
The Campaign Forum is celebrating its 25th anniversary and looking back on the evolution of campaigning and mobilization. Founders and executives reflect on continuity and change in the industry.
The Kampagnenforum anniversary was celebrated on Thursday evening in Zurich: The Zurich-based communications and consulting agency marked its 25th anniversary on the rooftop terrace of Gleis 70 in Zurich-Altstetten. What began in 2001 with political and social campaigns has evolved into a consulting and implementation firm serving nonprofit organizations, associations, and government agencies.
Campaign Forum Anniversary: A Look Back at More Than 500 Projects
The celebration was attended by colleagues, partner organizations, clients, and current and former employees. According to the organization, since its founding in 2001, the Kampagnenforum has implemented well over 500 projects and supported more than 120 organizations. What began as a focus on campaigns and public relations has evolved into a comprehensive range of activities: Today, the company combines campaigning and communications with strategic consulting, political advocacy, and the management of offices.
For Co-Executive Director Marianne Affolter, who has been with the Campaign Forum since 2020, the demands placed on nonprofits and advocacy groups have evolved: «A good cause alone is no longer enough today. If you want to make a difference, you have to lead your organization strategically, understand the political landscape, and be able to reach and mobilize people. Impact happens where these elements come together.»
Communication Channels: More Digital and More Complex
Data-driven tools, digital mobilization, and ongoing developments in social media have fundamentally transformed the art of campaigning and greatly expanded the possibilities, especially for smaller organizations. The number of channels has grown, while attention has become a scarce resource.
«Today, a small organization can communicate and mobilize very professionally with the right digital tools,» says Jérôme Strijbis, co-executive director of the Campaign Forum. «But more channels and more data don’t automatically mean greater impact. The key is to choose the right tools and use them in a way that suits the organization, its resources, and its target audiences.» This combination of experience and new approaches was also the focus of the retrospective presented at the anniversary celebration.
What Has Changed—and What Hasn't
Andreas Freimüller founded Kampagnenforum in 2001. As a partner, senior advisor, and member of the executive board, he continues to support the company. In his view, what has changed most over the past 25 years is the set of tools available, rather than the essence of a good campaign.
«Over the past 25 years, we’ve tried a lot of different things, mobilized people, and sometimes stirred up quite a bit of dust. To this day, what appeals to me most about campaigning is the same: identifying what moves people and where the lever for change lies at the right moment. The tools may change, but what matters most is whether a campaign actually makes a difference.»
For more information about the campaign forum, visit https://www.kampagnenforum.ch.
