In a break with tradition, the 2013 conference aims to bring together four distinct, but significantly interrelated, research and practitioner communities – those of political science, political communication, political marketing and public affairs – for the purposes of engaging in inter-disciplinary debates related to the role, practice and impact of marketing in contemporary politics. The conference is themed:

What is Marketing Doing to Politics?

Contemporary perspectives within, and between, the 4 Ps: Political Science, Political Communication, Political Marketing and Public Affairs

Conference tracks will be anchored in the various disciplines and designed – where possible - to encourage cross disciplinary debate and knowledge sharing. Submissions are therefore welcomed from a broad range of perspectives and purposes. Papers that seek to develop theory, present empirical or comparative work, explore methodology, practitioner perspectives and case studies are all welcome. In light of the encouraging response to our earlier Call for Track Proposals, we would especially welcome contributions in the following areas:

Political marketing and democracy
The reshaping of contemporary politics in response to the notion of market orientation
Contemporary political institutions and political marketing
Marketing and political engagement
Political marketing and floating voters
US political marketing practice and its influence elsewhere
Comparative political studies related to marketing and communications
Critical perspectives on the role of marketing and communications in contemporary politics
The mediatization of politics
Political marketing and the Fourth Estate
Manipulation and control of news media
The contemporary dynamics of political communication
The impact of internet and social media on political communication
Political marketing and public opinion
Emerging theatres of political marketing and communication i.e. China, Russia, India
The marketing of transnational political movements and its impact on national political discourse
The ethics of political marketing and communication
Transparency and regulation of political marketing, political communication and public affairs
The marketing of government
Internal marketing within political parties
Strategic political marketing practice
Market based positioning
Marketing ideology
Political branding
Political PR
Political polling and market research
Studies of political marketing practice in different national/local contexts
Theories and practice of political marketing in post-communist states
Political relationship management
Online strategies in political marketing
Social networks and social media in political marketing
Public affairs and (disproportionate) representation in political processes
Public affairs’ impact on political outcomes
Collaborative advocacy initiatives
New theatres of public affairs practice
Ethical practice in public affairs
Public affairs as social capital
Research exploring public affairs as a social good
Reform agendas
Strategic and tactical innovations in the field of public affairs
Relationship between governmental and business agendas in international politics
Special Call for Papers Related to the 2012 US Presidential Election
In addition to the themes outlined above, the conference organizers would also like to include a series of special sessions based on an anatomical dissection of the 2012 US Presidential Election. These would ideally be presented by scholars from different disciplinary backgrounds which, when taken together, could sharpen theory and provide the basis of in-class material for extended treatment of the subject. If you feel that you have a contribution to make in this area, please mark your abstract 2012 US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

Student Submissions
The IPMC encourages abstract submissions from doctoral researchers in any discipline related to the themes addressed by the conference. A doctoral colloquium will be held on Wednesday 18th September and successful submissions to the colloquium may lead to full participation at the conference. A decision concerning the suitability of papers will be made by the chair and co-chair of the colloquium panel.

Please note that, thanks to generous sponsorship from the Political Studies Association, submission of a successful abstract to the colloquium organizers will entitle the student to a free conference place. For obvious reasons numbers are limited and further details will be provided shortly (on the conference website).