Potomac Flacks

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)

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)

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)

Williams Named Media Relations Manager for APCO Worldwide

APCO Worldwide has named Adam Williams as its new global Media Relations Manager, where he will be responsible for APCO’s message, media strategy and thought leadership.

Previously, Williams served as the global marketing and PR lead for the Energy practice at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) after having led PR and marketing efforts for Thomson Reuters' Commodities and Energy group and Point Carbon in the Americas.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Williams is a graduate of NYU and lives in Washington, DC.  (PF tipster)

Rethmeier, Roy, Ades Launch Strategic Action Public Affairs

Three well-known operatives have launched an independent, bipartisan communications firm, Strategic Action Public Affairs, which will focus "exclusively on public affairs issues and crisis communications."

The three operatives are Stuart Roy, Blain Rethmeier and Richard Ades.

Roy, SA Public Affairs president, was most recently a partner at Prism Public Affairs, and previously served as head of communications for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) and in the same role for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) when he chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Rethmeier is a former Bush White House and Capitol Hill communications expert who has spent several years as the head of communications and advocacy at high profile trade associations including most recently the U.S. Travel Association.  Rethmeier will be based in California giving the firm a bicoastal presence.

Ades, SA Public Affairs managing partner, is a former Prism partner who served in the Clinton Administration.

According to their announcement, the firm was “formed when three former partners at a DC-based public affairs firm recently joined ranks with a high profile trade association executive and a few other senior level professionals.”

They are joined by three other professionals: 

• Andy Miller, a message and writing specialist and former Prism partner, was a longtime Washington correspondent for The Kansas City Star before joining the public affairs firm Powell Tate.
• Bob Maistros, chief writer for Reagan-Bush who has written for luminaries as diverse as Steve Case, Ted Leonsis and Sen. Charles Grassley
• Louise Filkins, a media specialist and former TV news producer who worked communications for a variety of organizations including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Independent Women’s Forum, and Powell Tate | Weber Shandwick.  She is also a former deputy press secretary at the RNC and worked in the communications office at three Republican conventions, most recently in Tampa. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Glen Echo Group, Senior Director

The Glen Echo Group, a boutique public affairs firm, seeks a mid to senior level communications professional to help manage our growing client base. Our ideal candidate will have prior agency experience and a proven track record in developing and implementing successful media relations campaigns. Interest in technology policy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, define, and execute overall public relations strategy
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of each client’s industry and issues and serve as key information source for all media contacts requesting information, background, and analysis
• Create a strategic communications outreach plan and messaging (including social media strategies) for each client, and execute on that plan
• Participate in strategy development for client campaigns, including media relations, executive positioning, and corporate communication
• Cultivate relationships with media, pitch compelling story angles, and coordinate interviews
•  Act as spokesperson for client and coalitions
•  Author and manage press releases, statements, web content, speaking abstracts, etc.
• Review ongoing media coverage and event strategies of clients, issues, and competitors, and make strategic recommendations based on the information
• Support the development of client proposals and media materials: plans, presentations, reports, communications documents
• Establish process for maximizing, tracking and analyzing print, broadcast and online coverage
• Cultivating and maintaining positive media coverage for clients, and for Glen Echo Group
• Regularly interact with clients, teams, and outside consultants
• Project corporate image of the company and the Glen Echo Group brand

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of public relations and strategic communication experience translating complicated issues into simple, compelling messaging strategies
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
• Strong interest in technology and public policy
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Skilled at pitching and placing stories in a variety of media platforms
• Solid understanding of and experience working with digital platforms and tools
• Able to produce high-quality work and meet deadlines while simultaneously managing multiple projects
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Strong team player with an outstanding work ethic

TO APPLY: Send your resume and cover letter to careers@glenechogroup.com.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Phillip Stutts & Company, Inc, Senior Director for Media Strategies

Phillip Stutts & Company, Inc., founded in 2005, is seeking an energetic media strategist serving a wide-range of clients in the corporate, non-profit and political arenas.

The firm builds strategic campaigns that utilize data, media, and technology to influence decision makers. As a full service consulting firm, we lean on years of experience in political and corporate consulting, grassroots campaigning, media placement and video production.

The job entails leading and assisting the media strategy for clients with new/traditional media needs, including:

• Working to create/produce TV and radio ads.
• Producing/editing new media video.
• Social media strategy/implementation for clients.
• In-house new media reporting, including live-events.

The company is expanding, and with it, opportunities for profit sharing and partnership. They are looking for motivated hard workers and if you or someone you know is interested, please email: info@phillipstutts.com.  (PF Tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Prism Public Affairs

Prism Public Affairs , one of Washington's leading public affairs firms, seeks a talented, energetic individual to support diverse client engagements and add to the firm's success and future growth.

Key responsibilities include:

• Writing - prepare memos, press releases, reports
• Account coordination - help to track and manage team efforts
• Social and digital media - draft social media content, conduct platform management, online monitoring
• Media relations - research and build media lists, draft and pitch press releases
• Media monitoring and analysis - prepare daily/weekly summaries for clients
• Research - prepare reports/analysis for clients

Requirements:

College degree, 3-4 year's work experience, proficiency with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, familiarity with basic concepts of digital advertising, as well as Lexis Nexis, Factiva, Microsoft Office, Cision or an equivalent media database. Willing to work flexible hours - early mornings and/or evenings. Prior PR agency experience a real plus.

How to apply:

Please send resumes and writing samples to Dale Leibach or Amanda Deaver at info@prismpublicaffairs.com - no calls please. (PF Tipster)

Outreach Strategies Hires Bonarrigo

Angela Bonarrigo has joined Outreach Strategies as a senior vice president.  In her new role, Bonarrigo will direct the development and implementation of strategic communications and advocacy campaigns designed to promote positive environmental outcomes. 

Angela is the former director of the DC offices for Ceres and has also worked at Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications and the EPA. 

Outreach Strategies is a communications and public affairs firm focused on advancing sustainability, clean energy and environmental solutions. They also recently expanded their office space at Farragut Square to accomodate their growing team. (PF Tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Associate, Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS)

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS) is considering applications for multiple entry-level Associate positions. Candidates should have prior relevant work or internship experience to be considered.

The right candidates will have a passion for communications and public affairs, the ability to juggle a range of tasks and work well under pressure, and strong organizational skills. The associate position allows for the opportunity to write press statements and releases, organize press events, participate in strategy sessions and brainstorms, and handle a range of client service responsibilities.  Associates also provide administrative support to partners of the firm

Candidates who have language skills (specifically Spanish) or who have an interest or experience in litigation communications or legal crisis work, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates is a highly regarded mid-sized communications/public relations firm that focuses on public affairs and corporate, international, and crisis communications. CLS has a roster of clients that includes Fortune 100 companies, leading trade associations, non-profits and international businesses and organizations. CLS offers a competitive salary, and health and retirement benefits.

TO APPLY: Please email your resume to clsjobs@clsdc.com and indicate you are applying for the “Associate” position in the subject line.  (PF tipster)