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Purple Strategies + POLITICO teamed up last week to host a packed house at The Ned on the changing rules of advocacy in Washington. Susie Wiles kicked things off discussing the Administration’s priorities and outlook -especially timely in a midterm year. A follow-on panel with Robert Zirkelbach, Erika Sward, David Tovar, and Kyle De Jong dug into what it takes to succeed right now, including how coalitions can be a true strategic asset in this moment. Washington’s new normal is constantly changing and it’s keeping us all on our toes.

The Trump Administration’s recent move to lower GLP-1 prices is important. It creates momentum and raises expectations for broader access. While price alone won’t decide access, it does open the door. What happens next depends on employers, plans, policymakers, and the public. This is where perception matters. New Purple Strategies polling shows that a majority see expanded GLP-1 access as a win, yet 43 percent still believe pharmaceutical companies benefit most. That hesitation could influence how decisions get made. Employers will decide if and how they’ll cover GLP-1s, and they need confidence in long-term value. Health plans won’t adjust benefits unless better outcomes look real and sustainable. And of course policymakers will take cues from their voters and public sentiment. So while the administration moved things forward, turning momentum into durable access requires more than lower prices. Organizations will need to demonstrate real world outcomes, show responsibility, and clearly explain how/why GLP-1s improve people’s lives, not just profit margins. That is what will earn trust. And trust is what will drive access.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and my partner Jillayne Smyth Rogers on stage together this week at The Ned — a candid, off-the-record conversation about Washington’s “new normal” and what it means for anyone trying to get things done in Trump-era D.C. Grateful to POLITICO, our Purple team and the leaders who joined us for an honest look at 2026 and the shifting centers of power.

Coalitions are having a moment — for better and for worse. Our new research with POLITICO shows coalitions are: 🔹 40% more visible than corporations 🔹 More aggressive and better funded than ever But visibility cuts both ways. Are your coalitions truly fit for purpose in this environment? Read the full piece: Washington’s New Normal: What’s Working in Advocacy Now 🔒

Advocacy in Washington is running on a new operating system. Power is still built through relationships and collective voice — but it must be deployed differently than before. Discover what’s working (and what’s not) for today’s advocacy leaders, from coalition design to rethinking influence itself. 🔒 Full report: Washington’s New Normal: What’s Working in Advocacy Now

The advocacy playbook just got rewritten. See what's actually driving impact now. In partnership with POLITICO, we surveyed government affairs, public affairs, communications and advocacy leaders across companies, trade associations, and lobbying firms. 👉 Explore the findings: Coalitions rising, lawmaker engagement evolving, and a new operating system for influence.