Activism isn’t random. It’s usually highly calculated.
From hijacked language to coordinated disruption, the activist playbook is well-worn — and often underestimated. We unpack the strategies behind the slogans and decode the tactics shaping policy, media and markets. So you can recognize, anticipate and respond to coordinated campaigns. Read on to learn more.
Activist Playbook: Pressure the Purse Strings
ctivists don’t argue—they squeeze. “Pressure the Purse Strings” works by making funding politically or reputationally dangerous, forcing organizations to retreat.
Activist Playbook: Flood the Zone With Noise
In high-stakes disputes, attention — not truth — can be the real battleground. This Activist Playbook entry breaks down the tactic of “flooding the zone with noise,” why it’s so effective, and how to respond without being drowned out.
Activist Playbook: Weaponize Reputation
When activists weaponize reputation, the goal isn’t to debate—it’s to make you toxic. In this Activist Playbook edition, we break down how reputation attacks work and why most organizations aren’t ready.
Activist Playbook: Pick a Side
We’re conditioned to see complex issues in black and white: for or against, good or evil. Activists exploit this with a tactic called Condition the Binary — a framing strategy that silences nuance, discredits dissent, and forces public alignment. In this Activist Playbook entry, we break down how it works, why it’s effective, and what leaders must do to avoid losing control of the narrative.
Activist Playbook: Regulation by proxy
Activists are no longer just lobbying government—they're becoming it. Through proxies, pressure, and policymaking, regulation is being used as a weapon. This isn't public interest. It's strategic capture.
Will Greenpeace Survive? Activist Playbook Backfires
Greenpeace has long been the face of environmental activism. But lawsuits, accountability demands, and a shifting global mood suggest the tides may be turning. Is Greenpeace still untouchable—or just unaccountable?