Ep.88 The Protest Playbook: Mobilizing For Causes w/ Adam Swart

In this episode of the Programming Lions podcast, we dive deep into the world of organized protests with Adam Swart, founder of Crowds on Demand. Founded in 2012 while he was a student at UCLA, Adam's company specializes in advocacy campaigns, PR stunts, business launches, and more. Discover how nearly all protests are funded and include paid participants, and learn about the strategies and logistics that go into organizing these events. Adam also discusses the dynamics of political protests, the involvement of media, and the intriguing world of professional agitators. If you've ever wondered how protests work behind the scenes, this episode is a must-listen!

Website: https://crowdsondemand.com

X: https://x.com/ceoadamswart

TIMELINE

00:00 Intro

01:08 The Role and Impact of Crowds on Demand

01:48 Bipartisan Nature of Crowds on Demand

02:56 How Protests are Organized and Funded

06:03 Challenges and Strategies in Protest Organization

12:00 Client Relations and Ethical Considerations

18:42 Balancing Optimism and Realism in Business

20:03 Media's Role in Amplifying Protests

22:47 Social Media Influence and Trolls

28:06 Professional Protesters and Agitators

34:52 Funding and Legitimacy of Protests

37:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts