Potomac Flacks

Research Firm Gravity Strategic Communications Celebrates Two Years, Announces New Hires

Gravity Strategic Communications, which is run by Ted Newton and serves political and corporate clients with strategic communications needs, with a focus on opposition research, announced new staff and new office space just two years after its founding.  Gravity performed the vice presidential vetting for the Romney-Ryan campaign last year.

Christopher Oman has been promoted to Research Analyst.  An Iowa native, Oman first joined Gravity in 2011 and spent much of 2012 working with Gravity on Gov. Mitt Romney’s Presidential Campaign, including participating in the Vice-Presidential vetting process and working with the communications department on research and rapid response.  Oman has previously worked at Cornerstone Government Affairs, DCI Group, the Republican Governor’s Association’s political department, and in the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Oman is a graduate of The George Washington University.

Daniel Mintz joins the firm as Research Associate.  A New Jersey native, previously worked as a Research Analyst at Berkowitz Public Affairs.  He also served as Director of New Media on the Scott Sipprelle for Congress campaign, in New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s Press and Communications office, and for Jamestown Associates, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ.  Mintz is currently pursuing a degree at The George Washington University.

As part of its growth, Gravity also recently moved in to new office space at 1232 M Street NW.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Chlopak, Leonard, Schecter & Associates, Managing Associate

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates, a boutique Washington, D.C.-based communications firm, is currently seeking applicants for mid-level positions.

CLS serves a range of clients – including Fortune 100 corporations, high-profile individuals, foreign governments and international organizations, trade associations and non-profits. Some need to protect their reputations from intense threats. Others are trying to shape new laws. All are looking for creative, outside-the-box solutions that bring together politics, public policy and media/communications.

Ideal candidates are driven self-starters with strong ability to work well within teams. Individuals should have 5+ years of experience in public affairs, corporate and/or crisis communications. Candidates must possess strong writing skills, experience in managing media relations, and ability to formulate creative communications strategies and messaging. Political experience (such as campaigns or Capitol Hill) is strongly preferred. Experience in the media, a PR agency, association or non-profit is desirable. Fluency in Spanish a plus.  Salary commensurate with experience.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should email resume and cover letter to careers@clsdc.com or for more information, visit www.clsdc.com.   (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Director, Communications and Strategy

OVERVIEW: Serve as a strategic communications partner for U.S. Chamber departments, affiliates, and programs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Work with a portfolio of internal customers, establishing relationships with these clients and meeting with them regularly to understand and help deliver their objectives; draft and execute long-term strategic plans around the clients’ needs, including advertising, marketing, digital, Web, and media; provide full-service and integrated communications support; lead the implementation of key advocacy campaigns; identify opportunities to leverage the Chamber’s online and communications properties to support clients’ strategic agenda; and work cross-divisionally to ensure consistent U.S. Chamber branding and message effectiveness. 

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years’ related experience in progressively responsible positions in a trade association or agency; experience working on complex political and business issues and developing unified messages; strong project management; excellent written and verbal communications skills; creative self-starter; ability to multitask under tight deadlines; strong organizational skills; the ability to effectively interact with senior-level executives and outside contacts and vendors; and proficiency in MS Office products. PR agency experience a plus. 

TO APPLY: Visit this link.  (PF tipster)

Former NRSC Flack Walsh joins Singer Bonjean Strategies

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Brian J. Walsh is joining the bipartisan public affairs and strategic communications firm Singer Bonjean Strategies as a partner.  The firm was founded in 2008 by Republican communicator Ron Bonjean and Democratic communicator Phil Singer.

Walsh joins the firm after more than 15 years on Capitol Hill and dozens of campaigns at the local, state and federal levels.

Walsh served as Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-TX) Communications Director, first in his official Senate office and then at the National Republican Senatorial Committee for both the 2010 and 2012 election cycles.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Edison Electric Institute, Media Relations Representative

Edison Electric Institute has an opportunity for a Media Relations Representative.

The Media Relations Representative will provide daily support for EEI’s news products and monitor industry-related developments. Other responsibilities include handling routine media inquiries, researching industry and media issues, approving Web-site content, responding to member questions, providing meeting support, and assisting with budgeting.

The job requires a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of applicable experience in the communications, public relations, or journalism field, or press-related experience on Capitol Hill or in a trade association, PR agency, corporation, or government office. Energy experience is desired but not mandatory.

The successful candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills and a basic understanding of the public-policy process. The ability to juggle complex tasks under deadline pressure is essential.

TO APPLY: Send your résumé, writing sample, and cover letter, including salary requirements, to hrweb@eei.org.  (PF reporting)

Romney campaign flack Saul to Facebook COO Sandberg’s “Lean In”

According to Politico’s Dylan Byers, Andrea Saul, who served as Press Secretary for the 2012 presidential campaign of former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA), is the new Communications Director for Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” project.

Saul previously served as Communications Director for U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), as Press Secretary for the U.S. Senate campaign of Carly Fiorina (R-CA) and on the U.S. Senate campaign of then-Gov. Charlie Crist, leaving when he switched to become an independent.  She also worked on the 2008 presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and did stints at the RNC and DCI Group.

She’s a graduate of Vanderbilt University and a native of Dalton, GA.  (Politico and PF reporting)

REMAINDERS: McDowell joins Blue Engine; Beirne & Vargas To WH; Gor to Rand 2016

Occasionally, we miss some important flack-related items.  Here are a few:

• First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Amber McDowell has joined DC-based strategic communications firm Blue Engine Message & Media.  She was most recently Communications Director for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).  She also was Speechwriter and Press Secretary for Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-TN) and Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM).  She worked on the Obama-Biden re-elect and at the 2012 DNC Convention in Charlotte.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)
• Katherine Vargas is the new Director of Hispanic Media at the White House.  She was previously Communications Director for the National Immigration Forum, and also worked at the National Immigration Law Center and the International Rescue Committee.  She is a native of Colombia who immigrated to the U.S. in 1997.
• Katie Beirne, the Staff Director for the Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Center has replaced Jennifer Palmieri as Deputy Communications Director at the White House.  According to Politico, she will be in charge of outreach to surrogates and message coordination with outside groups.  (Politico)
• Sergio Gor has been named Spokesman for RAND PAC, the political action committee, and presidential campaign in waiting, of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).  Gor was formerly spokesman for Rep. Michele Bachman (R-MN) and on the campaign of Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA. (Politico)

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senator (Democrat), Communications Director

Western Democratic U.S. Senator seeks dynamic, detail-oriented Communications Director for his Washington, D.C. office.

Responsibilities include: planning and executing senator's long-term communications strategy; interacting with members of the press and serving as on-the-record spokesperson; managing all traditional and social media; and overseeing communications team. Strong writing and editing skills required.

Previous Congressional and on-the-record press experience necessary. Spanish-language skills and previous management experience a plus.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit a résumé and cover letter to WesternDemCommTeam@gmail.com.

Dem flack Sharon moves from same committee in House to Senate

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Adam Sharon recently began his new job as spokesman for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under chairman Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ).  He previously served in the same role on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Sharon previously worked for Rep. Karen Bass (D-NH) and on the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign of then-Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL).  (Politico Playbook)

Flack Colburn named CoS at HUD

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Brent Colburn, a veteran of Obama administration and both presidential campaigns, is the new chief of staff to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.

Colburn, 37, was National Communications Director for the president’s re-election campaign, and was Communications Director of this year's Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Before moving to Chicago for last year's campaign, he was Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

He’s a graduate of William & Mary.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

EXCLUSIVE: Taylor to join Sen. Wicker as Communications Director

Ryan Taylor, who has served U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) on his Senate Republican Policy Committee staff will join Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) as his new Communications Director.

Taylor has worked the past 8 years in Wyoming politics, with stints working for Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), on the HELP Committee staff of Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), in a variety of official and campaign capacities for Sen. Barrasso and for the late Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY).  Taylor served in 2010 as Executive Director of the Wyoming Republican Party.

He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and a native of Rawlins, WY.  (PF reporting)

RGA’s Schrimpf to run comms for IL-GOV candidate Rauner

First reported in Politico, Republican Governors Association Communications Director Mike Schrimpf is leaving to work for expected gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner (R-IL).

To date, Rauner has created an exploratory committee, raising $1.3 million, including a $250,000 contribution from himself.

Schrimpf has served at RGA since 2008.  He previously served as Communications Director for the Center for Competitive Politics.  He got his start working in Hamilton County government in Cincinnati, OH.

Schrimpf is a 2005 graduate of Tufts University.  (Politico)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Senate Indian Affairs Committee (majority), Communications Director

Chair of Senate Indian Affairs Committee is looking for an experienced communications professional for the Committee.  The position will consist of managing the day-to-day communications for the committee, including press releases, talking points, and digital media. Candidates should have at minimum 2-3 years background in communications or media. On-the-record experience strongly preferred.  Background in public policy and American Indian issues a plus.

TO APPLY: Please email your cover letter and resume to senate_employment@saa.senate.gov indicating job referral number (222027) in the subject line.  (PF tipster)

McCormick joins SKDKnickerbocker

Political consulting and strategic communications firm SKDKnickerbocker announced that Kelley McCormick has joined the firm as a Managing Director.

Most recently, Kelley was an Executive Vice President at McBee|Gibraltar, where she worked on a variety of corporate and non-profit campaigns that dealt with critical public health concerns such as obesity, the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic, and food allergies.

In the past she has worked on behalf of Dole Food, Gilead Sciences, the Financial Times, HBO, and the Bipartisan Policy Center.  She advises several non-profit organizations including Running Start, CURE Epilepsy, and the Clinton Global Initiative.  (PF tipster)

DNC Flack Roussell Appointed HUD A/S for Public Affairs

Melanie Roussell, the DNC Press Secretary since August 2011, has been appointed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

Roussell returns to HUD where she served as Press Secretary from 2009-2011.  Previously she was spokesperson for the 2008 presidential Inaugural Committee and southern Regional Communications Director for the Obama campaign.  She was also Communication Director for the House Judiciary Committee (majority) under Chairman John Conyers (D-MI).

Roussell graduated from Florida A&M University and earned a Master’s from American University.  (PF tipster)

Christie Shuffles Staff: Roberts and Morss to Campaign; Hires Reed

First reported by the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) has moved two press aides from his office to his re-election campaign and hired another to replace them.

Deputy Press Secretary Kevin Roberts is moving over to the re-election campaign, beginning April 15.  Roberts has been in the Governor’s office for three years and previously worked on the 2006 gubernatorial campaign of Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and for the California GOP.  He first came to New Jersey to serve as Communications Director for the New Jersey GOP in 2009.

Foster Morss has also moved over to be the campaign’s Research Director.  New Jersey native Morss worked on the 2008 presidential campaign of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-New York City) and as Deputy Press Secretary at the RNC.

Replacing Roberts is Colin Reed, a former Communications Director for former U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA).  Reed previously worked for then-Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) and for VP nominee Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK).  He also worked for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2010.  (New Jersey Star-Ledger)

Hastings Hires Tadeo, Micetich for House Natural Resources Committee

House Natural Resources Committee chairman Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) has hired two new staffers to join the communications shop of the House Resources Committee (majority).

Mike Tadeo will serve as the Press Secretary.  Mike worked as the Communications Director for Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH).  Prior to coming to Washington, D.C., Mike worked as a Booker and Production Assistant for several Fox News Channel programs in New York, including Your World with Neil Cavuto. He is a native of Wayne, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Fordham University.

Mallory Micetich will serve as the Deputy Press Secretary. Mallory previously worked as a Media Relations Coordinator for the Senate Radio and TV Gallery.  Prior to that she served as the Press Assistant for the Natural Resources Committee and worked as a Staff Assistant for Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA). Mallory graduated from James Madison University.  (PF tipster)

Vought Hangs a Shingle

On Friday Mary Vought announced that she was leaving Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-WI) office, where she was Senior Communications Adviser, to launch her own communications consulting company, Vought Strategies.

Prior to working for Sen. Johnson Vought was Press Secretary for Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), when he was Chairman of the House Republican Conference.  (PF tipster)

REMAINDERS: Items we missed

Some recent items of interest that we missed:

• Longtime Democratic flack Nu Wexler has joined Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications as Vice President of Public Affairs.  Wexler was most recently Communications Director for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).  He also previously led communications for the House Budget Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee. (Politico’s “Huddle”)
• Jerri Ann Henry has moved to Widmeyer Communications, where she is a digital media expert and digital account lead on the higher education and public affairs team.  Henry previously worked at JDA Frontline, Ed Gillespie Strategies and the Hawthorn Group.  (Politico’s “Influence”)
• Departing DCI Group, Catherine Gatewood is the new Communications Director for Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).  She’s a Kentucky native.  (Politico’s “Influence”)
• Recently the Communications Director for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (majority), Leslie Phillips, departed to become Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications for FairWinds Partners, a small IT consultancy specializing in domain name management and internet governance.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Senior Manager, Internal Communications - Global Talent (Mountain View, CA)

Job Description

We’re currently seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Internal Communications to primarily support the Global Talent Organization (GTO) and strategic projects. This role helps to ensure that LinkedIn employees are well informed about the company’s talent/HR programs and offerings, feel connected to the strategy, and are inspired to do their best every day. This position reports to the Head of Internal Communications, and is a member of the global Corporate Communications team.

The ideal candidate has proven communication and relationship-building skills, the ability to be strategic and to execute, great instincts, brilliant ideas, and a knack for connecting the dots. They must be at ease working with execs and virtual teams; have a good understanding of different cultural nuances; and able to demonstrate a track record for developing and implementing innovative internal communications and related programs that help drive business results, build culture, and inspire employees – preferably for a global organization. Knowledge of current internal communication approaches and tools for talent communications is also important for this role.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage, and execute global internal communication strategies and plans that support LinkedIn’s aspirational “best on planet” talent practices and programs, including: recruiting, performance management, learning & development, bi-annual pulse survey, total comp and benefits, among others.
• Partner with GTO to develop consistent messaging and relevant approaches for talent organization/communications worldwide.
• Write, edit, and produce a wide variety of internal communication materials for various voices and global audiences in diverse job functions via multiple channels (e.g., email, toolkits, FAQs, video scripts, presentations, etc.).
• Provide communication support for various employee engagement and culture programs and events; company meetings; M&A activities; and strategic projects.
• Develop and manage communication channels and materials for informing and engaging people managers globally.
• Identify, draft, and curate employee stories from across the organization that will help to reinforce the talent brand and company culture internally and externally.
• Proactively identify internal communication opportunities at the company, make recommendations, and develop supporting programs/materials.
• Create and maintain mechanisms for gathering feedback from leaders and employees to measure communication effectiveness.
• Advise and support business leaders in developing various employee communications, presentations, and programs.
• Build strong working relationships with business leaders, internal clients, and colleagues across
  the company and at all levels.

Relevant Experience, Education and Skills:

• A bachelor’s degree and 8-10 years of internal communications experience, preferably supporting talent/HR initiatives (global and/or technology company experience preferred)
• Extensive experience developing and executing measurable, multi-channel, internal communication strategies that include traditional and social media
• Outstanding writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; able to understand complex material and translate to various audiences
• Strong attention to detail and high expectations for quality
• Solid business acumen
• Strategic, energetic, self-starter with strong interpersonal skills and team orientation who thrives in a fast-paced and unstructured, deadline-oriented environment; able to scale
• Well-developed project management and decision-making skills; able to execute multiple high-quality communication programs simultaneously with speed, accuracy, and efficiency
• Must be creative, innovative, proactive, collaborative, flexible, a quick study, and have a great
  sense of humor
• Flexibility to travel and work outside of standard office hours as necessary

Leadership Competencies:

• Must be able to work independently and accomplish projects with little supervision
• Must have outstanding organizational and prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Able to influence others in order to create alignment and achieve business results
• Possess a high degree of integrity, tact, and sense of confidentiality
• Demonstrate good judgment at all times
• Building and maintaining relationships is critical to this position

TO APPLY: Visit this page.  (LinkedIn website)