Potomac Flacks

Frohlich Joins National Biodiesel Board as Director of Communications

Michael C. Frohlich has moved on from the office of Congressman Neugebauer to become the Director of Communications for the National Biodiesel Board. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is the national trade association representing the biodiesel industry in the United States. Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil. (PF Tipster)

Rudy Vet Joins McCain

Joining Ben Porritt, as noted by The New York Daily News Blog, one of Rudy Giuliani’s most loyal aides from his failed presidential bid has found her way to Camp McCain.  Maria Comella, a former campaign spokeswoman for Giuliani, will serve as press secretary for John McCain’s vice presidential pick.

A tireless worker, Comella had the mostly thankless job of tending to the daily wants and needs of the Giuliani traveling press corp.  She also earned her stripes in Rudyland — where loyalty is prized above all else — by sticking around to help Giuliani even after he dropped out of the race.  (NY Daily News Blog)

Obama Campaign Announces New Illinois Director of Communications

Senator Barack Obama announced that Justin DeJong has been named Director of Communications for Illinois, where he will manage the media requests and communications for Senator Obama's home state.  DeJong is taking a leave of absence from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, where he has served as Director of Communications since December 2007.

In recent years, DeJong has served in numerous roles as a spokesperson in the administration of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, including Communications Director for the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), Communications Director for the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), and Communications Manager for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).   Before joining the Blagojevich administration in 2004, DeJong also worked at Chicago-based Peoples Energy Corp., Jasculca-Terman and Associates, and Mayor Richard M. Daley's Press Office.  (PF Tipster)

Porritt joins McCain Team as National Spokesman

As first reported in the Playbook, Benjamin H. Porritt has packed his bags and flown back to our nation's capitol from California to be a national spokesman for the McCain campaign focusing on the soon-to-be-announced Vice Presidential candidates.  Porritt, who hails from Danville, Illinois (home of Gene Hackman), earned his stripes on the Bush-Cheney '04 campaign and was battle-tested as the Press Secretary for Tom Delay when he underwent indictment.  This vetern communicator got his start -- you can't make this stuff up -- as a capitol tour guide wearing the red shirt and within six months was in the West Wing.  While most flacks in D.C. tend to circle the beltway, after a five-year stint, Porritt co-founded Outside Eyes in Newport Beach, CA with another pro, Reed Dickens.  The firm focuses on public strategy and crisis communications.  We expect Ben's additon will make an immediate impact to the campaign.  (PF Tipster) 

Just cause it's August ....

Doesn't mean we're taking a break ... errr.  Ok, so we enjoyed a two-hour lunch with some solid reporter friends today.  So Good!  But in all seriousness, continue to send tips and tricks our way.  We love the juicy content and remember ... anonymity guaranteed.

Flacks Feel Scandals' Pressure, Too

When your boss comes under fire, flacks get their share of heat too ... just ask Aaron Saunders, Sen. Ted Steven's pressguy.  Daniel Libit at Politico writes that last week, after having his boss being indicted on seven corruption counts, Saunders himself said it can be trying times.  "This has been going on now for well over a year.  But at the end of the day, I keep coming back to the same point, which is I firmly believe in the senator, I believe he's an honorable guy and I love him.   At that's what allows me to keep plowing ahead."  We here at PF don't know much about love, but we can agree ... certainly a trying time.  (Politico.com)

McCain Camp Takes Lead on YouTube Hits

Stephen Dinan of The Washington Times details that McCain's celebrity attacks against Obama amuse the younger generation and have currently given his campaign a 'YouTube' lead.  According to the piece, McCain's series of brutal yet entertaining attack ads and Web videos mocking the press and Obama, and the combination of wit and insult has pushed McCain's YouTube channel to the sixth most watched on the site this week.   McCain has beat Obama's channel for seven straight days and 11 of the the past 14 days -- clearly a signal he intends to compete for the YouTube vote.  (The Washington Times)

JOB OF THE WEEK

With a “greening” environment on the forefront of our national and global agendas, the need for advocating the importance of nuclear energy as a vital electricity source to policymakers has never been greater. The Nuclear Energy Institute (www.nei.org) is the leader in effectively communicating the benefits of building carbon-free nuclear power plants and promoting the safety of existing plants to members of Congress and Capitol Hill staff, policymakers, media outlets and NEI members. As a mission-critical role, NEI is seeking its next Director of Communications, a seasoned communications leader who will direct, manage and inspire a team of six (6) writers and editors. Strategically partnering with the Vice President – Communications, the ideal candidate will bring to the table superior leadership and management skills along with an innovative and analytical approach to communications strategy and staff development.

Send cover letter, writing samples and resume to: Shira Harrington, Sr. Recruiting Consultant, Positions Inc. at [email protected] with subject line: “Director of Communications.”