John Rogers, founder and chief executive of Ariel Investments LLC [see profile], is looking to apply some of the political lessons he learned from Team Obama as he ventures out on a campaign to win back skeptical investors, reports The Wall Street Journal's MP McQueen.

Chicago-baesd Ariel has seen AUM drop to $4.75 billion at the end of July from $21.4 billion in 2004. The company's flagship Ariel Fund lost 48 percent in 2008, the year the S&P 500 fell 37 percent.

But things have been looking up for the fund these days: From March 2009 to end July 2010, the fund gained 160 percent and the Ariel Appreciation Fund gained 127 percent. Despite this, however, some investors continue to be on the skeptical side.

To win them back, Rogers has been busy meeting with corporate pension plans, asset managers, retail brokerages and potential investors. Rogers has also been more visible than the usual on television.

The article cites investors such as Matthew Tuttle, chief executive of Tuttle Wealth Management, remaining skeptical of Rogers' buy-and-hold strategy.  

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