Catalyst Campaigns is proud to announce a sweeping season of recognition across the political communications industry, winning top honors from the Reed Awards, Pollie Awards, Shorty Awards, and Polaris Awards for its bold, digital-first approach to modern campaigning. The firm’s standout work on Artists United for Change, one of the most innovative independent expenditure campaigns of the 2024 election cycle, earned accolades for its use of social influencers, digital storytelling, and guerrilla media tactics.
2024–2025 Award Highlights:
Reed Awards (Campaigns & Elections Magazine)
Best Use of Social Influencers
Best Website for an Independent Expenditure
Pollie Award (AAPC)
Gold – Best Political Action Campaign
Shorty Awards
Winner – Best Government & Politics Campaign
Polaris Award (IAPC)
Guerrilla Marketing in a Presidential Election Campaign
“We weren’t just aiming for visibility—we wanted to change the terms of the debate,” said Scott Goodstein, Founder & CEO of Catalyst Campaigns. “These awards reflect the strategy, creativity, and relentless focus our team brought to that goal. We built a campaign to meet people where they are—on their screens, in their feeds, and through trusted voices they engage with daily.”
Those strategic choices were just validated by a global benchmark study. The Digital News Report 2025, released by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, reveals a seismic shift in how Americans access news. For the first time, more U.S. adults get their news from social media (54%) than from television (50%).
This data underscores what Scott Goodstein and Catalyst Campaigns have long understood: audiences—especially younger ones—are turning to digital platforms, influencers, and AI for news and political information.
Key Findings from the Reuters Institute’s 2025 Digital News Report:
Social and video platforms now dominate: Among 18–24-year-olds, 66% access news via video weekly, with platforms like YouTube (31%) and TikTok (21%) leading globally.
Influencers matter: 22% of young men encountered post-inauguration news via Joe Rogan alone.
Misinformation remains a major concern: Over 70% of Americans express concern about their ability to distinguish true from false information online.
AI is becoming a news source: 12% of under-35s are already using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to consume news.
“This report proves that the strategies we’ve championed aren’t just award-winning—they’re essential,” said Goodstein. “Organizations can no longer rely solely on press releases, cable hits, or earned media. To be heard today, you must understand the dynamics of social influence and design campaigns tailored to how people actually consume content.”
Catalyst Campaigns’ Scott Goodstein was honored to work with Artists United for Change to bring this approach to life through the 2024 election cycle. Their rapid-response creative, mobile-first video, influencer partnerships, and bold media placements that bypassed traditional gatekeepers and sparked real-time conversation across platforms.
About the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
The Reuters Institute is a globally recognized research center based at the University of Oxford, dedicated to exploring the future of journalism worldwide. Its Digital News Report, now in its 13th year, is the most comprehensive ongoing study of news consumption trends across the globe, based on survey data from nearly 100,000 respondents in 48 countries. Read the full 2025 report here: Digital News Report 2025 (PDF)
About Catalyst Campaigns
Founded by Scott Goodstein—digital strategist for the Obama and Sanders presidential campaigns—Catalyst Campaigns is a digital-first communications firm helping progressive organizations and causes break through the noise. With a focus on creative disruption, influencer engagement, and data-driven organizing, Catalyst builds campaigns that shape narratives and drive impact in today’s fragmented media ecosystem. Learn more at CatalystCampaigns.com.