About the Council & Membership
What is the Storyline Strategy Council?
The Storyline Strategy Council is an exclusive, invitation-only advisory network of distinguished professionals, policy experts, and industry leaders from a range of influential verticals. Council members lend their expertise and perspectives to inform research conducted by Storyline Strategies for leading global organizations and brands.
Who is Storyline Strategies?
Storyline Strategies is a research and strategic advisory firm. We partner with influential organizations worldwide to help them understand complex policy, communication, and market landscapes, providing insights that shape strategy and decision-making. Storyline Strategies is part of Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing. Stagwell is a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable, seamless solutions through a unique combination of culture-moving creativity and leading-edge technology for the world’s most ambitious brands. You can learn more about Storyline Strategies at storylinestrategies.com or Stagwell at stagwellglobal.com.
Why was I invited to join the Council?
You were likely identified through professional networks (like LinkedIn) or industry referrals because your background, experience, and expertise align with the caliber of insights we seek for our clients’ research needs in the policy space. We look for individuals with significant experience and a thoughtful perspective on relevant issues.
What are the benefits of being a Council member?
- Influence: Your insights directly contribute to and inform strategies at major global organizations.
- Compensation: Receive competitive honoraria for your time and expertise on a per-project basis.
- Relevant Opportunities: Get curated invitations to research projects (surveys, interviews, discussions) that match your specific professional background and areas of expertise.
- Engage on Critical Issues: Participate in discussions on important policy and industry trends.
- Professional & Confidential: All engagements are managed professionally, respecting your time and ensuring confidentiality.
Is there any cost or fee to join the Storyline Strategy Council?
No, there is absolutely no cost or fee to become a member of the Storyline Strategy Council.
What is the time commitment involved? Am I obligated to participate in every study?
There is no ongoing time commitment required to be a member. Participation in any research activity is always completely voluntary and based on your availability and interest. Each research invitation will clearly state the estimated time commitment, topic, and honorarium, allowing you to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to participate.
Participation & Research Activities
What types of research activities will I be invited to?
Opportunities can vary and may include:
- Short online surveys (typically 10-15 minutes)
- Longer online surveys (typically 20 – 30 minutes)
- In-depth one-on-one interviews (typically 60 minutes via a video conference)
- Online focus groups or roundtable discussions (typically 90-120 minutes)
- Asynchronous online discussions (e.g., via an online platform over several days)
How are participants selected for specific research studies?
When a new research project arises, we review our Council members’ profiles to identify individuals whose expertise and experience most closely align with the specific requirements of that study (e.g., policy area, industry, role, geography). If your profile is a match, you will receive a direct invitation with all the project details. In some cases, we may also ask a few brief additional screening questions to confirm specific alignment with the research needs before finalizing participation.
Compensation & Payment
How and when will I be paid? What about taxes?
Payment is processed promptly upon successful completion of your participation in a research activity. We exclusively partner with Tremendous to disburse honoraria. Tremendous offers a wide variety of flexible and convenient redemption options globally, including virtual Visa prepaid cards, bank transfers to many countries, PayPal, and an extensive catalog of digital gift cards for popular retailers and brands. Specific details on available redemption options for your region will be provided when you receive an honorarium. All payment details and timelines will be clearly communicated with each research invitation.
Please note that as a Council member, you are participating as an independent contractor. In accordance with U.S. tax regulations and our Terms and Conditions:
- U.S. Tax Residents: To ensure compliance with IRS reporting requirements, you may be required to complete tax documentation (such as a W-9 form) through our payment partner, Tremendous, in order to receive your compensation, particularly as your total honoraria payments in a calendar year approach or exceed the IRS reporting threshold (currently $600). If this threshold is met, Storyline Strategies, via a third party processor, will issue you a Form 1099-NEC.
- Non-U.S. Tax Residents: You may be required to complete appropriate tax documentation (such as IRS Form W-8BEN) through our payment partner, Tremendous, or directly with Storyline Strategies to certify your foreign tax status and potentially claim treaty benefits.
You are solely responsible for reporting any income earned and complying with all applicable tax laws in your jurisdiction.
How is my personal information and data protected?
Storyline Strategies is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. All data collected is managed securely and in accordance with the Storyline Strategy Council Privacy Policy, our Terms and Conditions, and applicable data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). We encourage you to review these documents:
Will my name or organization be identified in research findings or to clients?
Unless you give explicit consent for a specific instance (which is rare and would be clearly discussed with you beforehand), your participation is confidential. Your personal identity and affiliation will not be directly linked to your responses in any client deliverables or public reports. Insights are typically aggregated and anonymized to protect participant confidentiality. Specific terms of confidentiality will also be outlined in any project agreement you accept, which may include study-specific mutual non-disclosure agreements.
Will I know which client is sponsoring or conducting the research for each study I participate in?
Storyline Strategies conducts research on behalf of a variety of leading global organizations. While the specific identity of the sponsoring client often remains confidential to ensure unbiased feedback and protect proprietary research objectives, we are typically able to share the industry and general scope of the client (e.g., “a global consumer technology company,” “a multi-national financial services firm,” or “a leading healthcare association”). This is a standard practice in market and policy research.
For some specific research engagements where the nature of the discussion requires it (e.g., for feedback on specific client initiatives or communications), the client’s identity may be revealed more fully. If client identity is to be disclosed, this will be made clear to you in the research invitation and as part of the consent process for that particular study.
Regardless of the level of client disclosure, all research is conducted under strict confidentiality agreements. Both your participation and any information shared about our clients are protected under our Terms and Conditions and any study-specific Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) you may be asked to sign.
How long does my membership in the Council last? Can I opt out?
Membership in the Storyline Strategy Council is ongoing, with no fixed term. You can choose to opt out and have your profile removed from our active network at any time by contacting us at strategycouncil@storylinestrategies.com.
Who are Storyline Strategies’ clients?
Storyline Strategies works with a diverse range of leading global organizations and brands, including Fortune 500 companies, major technology firms, industry associations, and nonprofits, who are seeking to better understand and navigate complex policy, regulatory, communications, and marketing environments.
How can I update my profile information if my role or expertise changes?
You can update your profile information by contacting us at strategycouncil@storylinestrategies.com. We may also periodically invite you to review and refresh your profile or complete brief additional profiling surveys. Keeping your profile detailed and up-to-date helps us better match you with relevant paid research opportunities and increases your likelihood of being selected for studies that align with your specific expertise.
