Framing wins + strategic lessons | May–June Narrative Newsletter
Hope-based messaging, interspecies AI & new communication guides inside...
— Content we love —
Why most people won’t be persuaded by a movement for justice
Most people won’t support justice for our animal cousins through moral arguments alone. That’s not a reason to give up — it’s a reason to get smarter. This article from Project Phoenix explores interest convergence: the idea that real progress happens when justice aligns with people’s self-interest. Learn to frame animal freedom so it aligns with everyday self-interest — echoing wins from civil rights to marriage equality.
What really drives engagement and donations?
How do we move people to care – and act – without relying on fear or despair? Messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio lays out why positive, values-driven storytelling is essential for winning lasting change. Instead of focusing on crisis and cynicism, she urges movements to help people see what’s possible, not just what’s wrong. Whether you’re building a campaign or fundraising, this insightful read is for anyone who wants to speak to people’s hearts – and move them to action.
What communication strategies have you found most effective in your advocacy? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a comment below…
Using AI to understand what other animals are saying
What if we could really listen to fellow animals – understand their names, their cultures, even their grief and joy? AI is helping scientists decode complex communication of whales, elephants and even moths, opening the door to meaningful interspecies connection. But will humans use these tools to deepen empathy and protect all life, or further exploit it? From ancient whale song to Indigenous treaties, this looks at whether humans can turn wonder into action…
— Animal Think Tank’s communication guides —
We’ve released a free Communications Toolkit — a short, practical guide to the core strategies behind persuasive messaging for animal freedom.
→ Download toolkit
You can also dive deeper into persuasive communications with our three Mini Guides on:
Language • Narrative Change • Audiences
→ Access Mini Guides
A fourth guide on Framing is coming soon… Send us a message if you want early access!
— Animal Think Tank’s latest blogs —
Is our movement too focused on the ‘nightmare’ rather than the ‘dream’?
We only released this a month ago, but it’s already become our most-read blog ever! In it we discuss how our communications can shift the narrative from animal welfare to animal freedom…
How visual stories of animal freedom make messages more persuasive
A closer look at why combining images of the 'dream' and the 'nightmare' can make our messaging more impactful…
→ Read the blog
Excellent article. Thank you! Do you think changing the minds of kids in terms of animal welfare requires something different than discussed in your substack?