Malibu First Political Campaign
In 2024, Red Ink Brand was brought on to lead its second political branding and messaging campaigns for the re-election of candidates Bruce Silverstein and Steve Uhring. Red Ink Brand created the Malibu First campaign — a grassroots coalition committed to protecting Malibu’s small-town character, environmental preservation, and resident-first governance.
Campaign 1: Navigating the Pandemic
The 2020 Malibu City Council election was a pivotal moment — and a daunting challenge. With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down traditional campaigning methods like door-to-door outreach and public forums, we had to rethink everything.
Red Ink Brand pivoted to a digital-first strategy, crafting:
- Hyperlocal messaging that resonated with voters overwhelmed by uncertainty.
- Strategic social media campaigns, targeted email blasts, and virtual town halls.
- A visual identity that reflected Malibu’s coastal community values.
The result? Malibu1st-endorsed candidates won the top two spots in a highly competitive field, reshaping Malibu’s political landscape at a critical time.
Campaign 2: Building on Success
In 2024, Red Ink Brand was once again tasked with leading Malibu1st’s election strategy. This time, the goal was to:
- Reinforce Malibu1st’s leadership as the resident-first choice.
- Address evolving voter concerns about overdevelopment, public safety, and local governance.
- Maintain momentum and turnout in a post-pandemic election cycle.
With refreshed messaging, updated branding, and a continued focus on digital engagement, the campaign delivered another landslide victory — Malibu1st candidates once again claimed the top two seats in the election.
The Red Ink Brand Impact
Through strategic branding and marketing, Red Ink Brand successfully positioned Malibu1st.org as the leading voice for resident-focused leadership across two consecutive election cycles. The first campaign, launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, required a bold shift to innovative digital strategies, ensuring voter engagement despite unprecedented challenges.
By 2024, Malibu1st.org had become a trusted and recognizable advocate for the community, with Red Ink Brand refining its messaging and visual identity to maintain momentum and strengthen voter loyalty. These efforts culminated in back-to-back electoral victories, with Malibu1st-endorsed candidates securing the top two spots in both the 2020 and 2024 Malibu City Council elections.
Throughout the campaigns, Red Ink Brand led the development of political messaging and narrative strategy, crafted the organization’s brand identity and visual direction, executed comprehensive digital marketing and voter outreach, and produced targeted campaign content. In addition, the agency managed the overall election strategy and execution, driving Malibu1st.org’s sustained success at the ballot box.