Potomac Flacks

David Taft Leaves Cong. Crenshaw for Private Sector

David Taft, formerly the Communications Director for Congressman Ander Crenshaw (FL-04), has left Capitol Hill to take a public relations position with Michael Baker Jr., Inc. in Alexandria, VA.

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Deputy Public Relations Assistant - The Natural Gas Supply (NGSA) is looking for a public relations professional with some Hill or PR firm experience.  Great grammatical and proofreading skills are a must.  Duties include drafting press releases, producing fact sheets, some website maintenance (will train), database management, and administrative duties as assigned.  NGSA’s membership includes a dozen large firms which produce and supply nearly 30 percent of the natural gas used throughout the country.  Interested applicants should immediately send a resume, cover letter, and writing samples to [email protected].

Washington Wizards Looking for a Sr. Director of Communications

The NBA Washington Wizards are looking for a very experienced, energetic, motivated Sr. Director of Communications. This candidate will spearhead the overall communications strategy for the Washington Wizards Organization and direct the public relations and media relations program for the Washington Wizards NBA basketball franchise.  To learn more or apply, check out the posting here.

Former Biden Press Secretary Goes to NYC

Former Biden for President National Press Secretary and veteran DNC operative Mark Paustenbach is heading to New York City. Paustenbach will become an Associate Vice President at Rubenstein Communications where he will focus on public relations and strategic communications. (PF Tipster)

Job of the week: DNCC is Hiring

The Democratic National Convention Committee is hiring a Deputy Press Secretary. This person will assist the director of media relations and the press secretary with daily operations in the DNCC's press office. Responsibilities include assisting with the development and distribution of press materials, the development and execution of message events, press conferences and media availabilities and handle incoming press calls, secure interviews and serve as a resource on background for members of the media. The job is located in Denver - the site of the 2008 convention.

If you are interested in this job, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with "ATTN: Deputy Press Secretary" in the subject line. (PF Tipster)

Joann Donnellan Launches New Media/PR Firm

JD MEDIA has launched in the Penn Quarter. This boutique firm is founded by Joann Donnellan, a media relations specialist with 20 years experience in television, non-profit organizations and public affairs. JD MEDIA, LLC will specialize in media relations strategy and outreach, cause marketing, multi-media advocacy campaigns and special events.  Before starting her own company, Donnellan was the traveling press secretary for the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, co-chaired by former U.S. Senator Robert J. Dole and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna E. Shalala.

Katie Levinson Joins Edelman Public Affairs

We learned this morning (scooped by The Playbook yet again!) that the well-known and highly-regarded Katie Levinson has joined Edelman Public Relations as senior vice president and political director in its New York Public Affairs practice.  Edelman was recently named an A-List Agency by Advertising Age magazine and Katie's new boss, Richard Edelman, was named Agency Executive of the Year by the same publication.  A dream gig in the PR world, Levinson has certainly earned it.  Her background includes serving as communications director and spokeswoman for the RNC, Bush-Cheney ’04, President Bush, Governor Schwarzenegger’s reelection and Mayor Giuliani’s presidential campaign.  PF can even remember her hills days when she worked for Rep. Chris Shays.  Congratulations Katie and good luck!

McCain Builds Team For National Campaign

According to The Politico, John McCain is beefing up his communications operation and putting in place what insiders call the most sophisticated and elaborate response center ever envisioned.

J. Mart notes that key to such an infrastructure is the creation of a regional and ultimately state-by-state press team that can drive a favorable message and push back against negative storylines in the key battlegrounds that will shape the race.

Tucker Bounds and Jeff Sadosky will be the ringleaders of the newly assembled team and they will be joined by Charlie Adams, formerly of Fred ’08, and Andrea Saul, a seasoned pro that will be leading the radio and TV messaging.

Both Bounds and Sadosky established their “street cred” on the Bush-Cheney ’04 effort where they were both key players in the regional communications team. Bounds rejoins the campaign following a brief stint in the private sector and Sadosky was a campaign spokesman for Fred Thompson’s unsuccessful presidential bid. (PF Tipster)

Job of the Week: EMILY's List

Maybe we should start calling our weekly posts, "JobS of the Week" . . . . here's another one. Good luck!

EMILY's List is hiring a deputy communications director. Their preference is to hire someone with federal campaign experience. This person will play a strategic and tactical role in achieving the EMILY's List communications goals. He/she will support EMILY"s List political operations by creating greater awareness of key political programs including the POP program, WOMEN VOTE! Training and Campaign Corp.

Specific duties include: serving as Press Tracker for EMILY's List races; driving press strategies in targeted states; writing EMILY's List materials; and coordinating press associated with EMILY's List events.

To apply, fax resume, cover letter and writing samples to 202-326-1415, Attn: communications director or e-mail [email protected], subject line: Deputy Communications Director. No calls please. (PF Tipster)

Chamber Hires NAM Media Vet

J.P. Fielder has been appointed associate director of media relations at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Fielder, who was the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at NAM, will focus on similar issues at the Chamber which include tax, free trade, legal reform, and energy.  Well-respected and liked around town by both his fellow flacks and reporters, Fielder has also held posts at PR Newswire and Tribune Broadcasting.  (Congress Daily)