The Email Interview: Phillip Stutts

Today I’m starting a new series called The Email Interview. It’s simple. I’m going to email 5 questions  to someone influential in politics, digital media or food (my favorite subject) and post their answers.

The first victim of the Email Interview is Phillip Stutts, owner of Phillip Stutts and Company located in Washington, D.C.

Specializing in political consulting, new media and grassroots strategy, Phillip Stutts and Company touts an impressive lineup of clients in the nation’s Capitol and across the country.

Phillip is also a die-hard Alabama Crimson Tide fan, but we won’t penalize him too much for that character flaw.

 

 

 

 

The Email Interview: Phillip Stutts

BB: You have several clients that are on the front lines in the fight for education reform. Be honest,  is there hope in America for education or is it too late?

PS: Hell no it’s not too late. It’s just beginning and we have “right” on our side, so we will eventually win. The seeds of education reform were planted 20 years ago and the American public is finally fed up and ready to change.

It’s an exciting time as our culture adjusts to market forces. Those forces are saying we must adapt or fail. Slowly we are getting there.

BB: Do you see technology making a difference in the ability to help our kids learn?

PS: There is an immense amount of technology in the education marketplace that will make American students #1 in the world. The only thing holding us back is government bureaucracy and politicians beholden to the education union (whose only agenda is to protect the jobs of teachers – whether they are teaching our students or not).

BB: Your company specializes in grassroots and social media. How many years before social media overtakes grassroots as the more effective voter contact mechanism?

PS: Great question. It’s changing rapidly. Political campaigns are adapting much faster than corporations or non-profit organizations.

Political campaigns have to adapt now in order to win elections. Some core traditional grassroots methods will always work no matter how much social media and technology advance.

My disappointment is in the lack of investment into new technology/social media for non-political campaigns.

BB: With the major debt and operational problems at the US Post Office and the emergence of email and social media do you think direct mail is dead?

PS: Snail mail, newspapers, traditional radio, traditional TV – hell, even desktop computers….will all be dead in 15 years. It’s an on-demand world and the people behind these businesses are slowly dying.

BB: Who is a better coach? Nick Saban or Bear Bryant?

PS: Wow, I’m finally stumped. I think each dominated during their generation. If I have to make a choice? Well, Saint Nick is amazing, but Coach Bryant will always be #1 (fyi – it’s respectful to call him Coach Bryant – not Bear Bryant. What are you? An LSU fan or something?)

Follow: @phillipstutts @pstuttsinc