Potomac Flacks

WAY COOL!!! Weyforth Traveling Press Secretary for Jonas Brothers Tour

Just when you thought working in the nation's capital was a cool job, it doesn't hold a candle to being the Traveling Press Secretary for The Jonas Brothers. Carolyn Weyforth, previously the rock-star Deputy Communications Director for the Romney campaign and Press Secretary for then Majority Leader Bill Frist, has hung up her political spurs and traded them in for "life on the road."  Working for Outside Eyes, a well-respected corporate communications firm in California, Weyforth implements a press management system similar to the White House traveling press corps.  Seems to be working VERY well -- last time we checked, The Jonas Brothers hit "Tonight" was number one on the iTunes top songs list and interviews with the group seem to be popping up everywhere!  (PF Tipster) 

JOB(S) OF THE WEEK

Cong. Bart Gordon, chair of Science & Technology Committee and Blue Dog member, seeks press secretary for personal office. Qualified candidates should possess technical savvy, strong writing and research skills, ability to churn out press releases on a variety of topics and develop outreach opportunities. Experience with new media, online communications, e-news, web site management a must.  Candidates should be able to work independently, but be good team player.  Hill experience a plus.  Please send resume, cover letter and short writing samples to donna.pignatelli@mail.house.gov. No phone calls flacks.  (PF Tipster)

2008 FishbowlDC Hottest Media Types Contest

Don't forget to vote ... especially for the hottest male/female in P.R.

NOTE: "Hottest Male/Female in P.R." can (and, really, should) include all those lovely Capitol Hill press secretaries.  (See the 2007 winners here, the 2006 winners here and the 2005 winners here.)

JOB OF THE WEEK

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is seeking qualified, motivated, pro-sportsmen candidates for two positions that are open immediately – State Caucus Manager and a Communications Manager (see attached position descriptions).  CSF utilizes a unique relationship with bipartisan legislative sportsmen’s caucuses at the federal and state levels to advance and protect the interests of hunters and anglers within the halls of government.  Qualified applicants need to have an in-depth knowledge of the legislative process, as well as a strong appreciation of conservation and the role of sportsmen as the leaders in conservation.  These are two excellent opportunities for an avid sportsman or woman who understands politics and wants to work on sportsmen’s issues within the political realm.  Interested applicants are encouraged to send resumes to Kelli Wagner: kelli@sportsmenslink.org

Rep. Slaughter Announces New Communications Team

House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28) has announced two new additions to her communications team. Kristin Lee will serve as the new Majority Communications Director for the Rules Committee, while Sonny Sinha will help guide online communication strategy in addition to his current responsibilities as Technology Director. Lee most recently worked on Hillary Clinton's campaign communications team in 7 states from Iowa to Oregon where she served as Clinton's New Mexico Communications Director, Indiana Press Desk, and Pennsylvania and Texas Press Secretary, among other roles.

Also, in Rep. Slaughter's personal office, Aimee Ghosh has been promoted to Press Secretary and Ben Shannon has been hired as Deputy Press Secretary.  (PF Tipster)                

Speaking of In-Demand -- Tucker Bounds, McCain's Spokesman

A wall-sized Tucker Bounds makes the McCain Campaign's "YouTube of the Day."  Check it out here. Tucker brings a certain class to YouTube ... don't ya think?  (PF Tipster)

The Spokespundits

Our friend Howard Kurtz has a must read in today's Washington Post detailing how former campaign aides' insider views are on demand these days -- especially on cable TV.  Perhaps even surpassing the likes of big-named strategists -- i.e. James Carville, George Stephanopoulous, Bob Shrum and Karl Rove -- Kurtz puts on the table that this political season, many previously obscure spokesmen and second string assistants are becoming in-demand A-list cable news guests and "strategists." 

Is it their insider's viewpoint, their charming good-looks, or is it that spokesman like Kevin Madden, Gov. Romney's former spokesguy, have worked on more winning presidential campaigns than Bob Shrum and the same amount as Carville?

Either way, a positive sign that there is life after flacking for a campaign. (Washington Post)

Milburn Named Executive Director of Strategic Communications at AF&PA

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has named Scott Milburn as their new Executive Director of Strategic Communications where he will coordinate AF&PA’s communication outreach to industry, policy and opinion leaders, and the media.  Milburn most recently served as vice president in the issues management practice of Washington-based APCO Worldwide, where he worked on a wide range of issues including energy and trade policy, as well as health care and legal reform.  Previous to APCO, he served as press secretary in the White House Office of Management and Budget under directors Joshua Bolten and Rob Portman, and as senior communication advisor to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as a governor. (PF Tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK - Americans for Immigration Reform

Americans for Immigration Reform is seeking a Communications Director for its national issue education and advocacy effort.  The Communications Director will be responsible for all issue education and media relations activities, including creating educational collateral materials, media relations, website content creation and virtual issue education campaigns.  This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer and the Executive Counsel and can be located anywhere in the country.  Resumes should be sent to: goldpublicaffairs@gmail.com (PF Tipster)

NASA's Chief of Strategic Communications Joins Phillips & Company

NASA's former chief of strategic communications, Robert Hopkins, has joined Austin-based Phillips & Company's new DC office as SVP and MD.  Hopkins will also serve as the firm's principal strategist for two practice areas: space technology, and commerce and homeland security and defense.  Hopkins worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (PR Week)