InterMedia has more than a decade’s experience of consulting, analysis, evaluation and research directly or indirectly connected to public diplomacy or on behalf of public diplomacy clients, covering areas like media and communication attitudes and behavior and public opinion. As important, InterMedia’s global reach means that it is able to develop analysis from research among populations worldwide—for example Muslims living throughout Asia and in Europe as well those in the Arab world—or narrowly focused in InterMedia’s niche of difficult-to-access populations. While some governments focus almost exclusively on particular regions of the world, InterMedia’s comprehensive program of research means that it is active year-round in parts of the world—sub-Saharan Africa and South America, for example—that could become diplomatic or security hotspots overnight.
On behalf of its international clients, InterMedia researchers have over the past 10 years interviewed more than 1 million people worldwide on a range of communication, media and public opinion issues – surveys typically ask opinions of the United States, Europe and individual European countries, neighboring countries, international and foreign policy issues.
In recent years, InterMedia has conducted research among Muslims in western Europe; is currently conducting an ongoing multi-year, multi-method evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the U.S. Department of State’s China Democracy and Rule of Law Program; and is the lead evaluator of the State Department’s Youth Exchange & Study (YES) program, a multi-year exchange program of approximately 600 participants that brings students from across the Islamic world to the United States.
Conveying Credible Messages
InterMedia research has consistently found that audiences in developing and transitional societies are politically aware and media-savvy. Many audiences are astute at detecting spin or propaganda, and they question and compare their news sources to garner an accurate picture of events.
The ever-expanding choices many consumers around the world now enjoy pose both a challenge and an opportunity for public diplomacy practitioners. Getting your message to the people you want to reach has become more complex than ever.
Two-Way Diplomacy
Public diplomacy is not a one-way street; it is as much about listening and dialogue as it is about delivering a message. InterMedia understands that however important the message, how it is understood and interpreted by the intended audience is just as vital.
Public diplomacy involves building long-term relationships. Building long-term relationships starts with InterMedia.