Potomac Flacks

Christine Jacobs Joins Brookings Institution

Christine Jacobs has been hired by the Brookings Institution’s Governance Studies Program to head up its communications and media relations efforts.  Most recently, she was an account supervisor with Edelman Public Relations, where she focused on financial communications and investor relations.  She has also worked for President Obama’s campaign in Michigan, the American Bar Association and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Longtime Democratic Flack McKenna Profiled in Hometown Paper

Longtime Democratic flack Matt McKenna was profiled ("McKenna hasFront Row Seat to History") in his hometown paper, the Bozeman (MT) Daily Chronicle today.

McKenna has worked for now Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) during his ill-fated 2000 senate campaign, on a campaign in Georgia in 2002, for former Gov. Tony Knowles (D-AL) during his unsuccessful run for Senate in 2004, and then for Jon Tester's winning Senate campaign in 2006.  After the victory, McKenna moved in Washington, DC to work as Tester's Communictions Director, only to leave to become thetop spokesman for former President Bill Clinton based at his office in New York through the 2008 Presidential campaign.

Now based back home in Bozeman, MT, McKenna has launched his own firm and he continues to consult for President Clinton.

Rep. Coffman Hires Sillin as Communications Director

Nathaniel (“Nat”) Sillin has been hired as Communications Director to U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO).  Sillin was an Associate in the government and public affairs practice at R&R Partners, a communications firm. In 2005, he served on the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission.  He previously worked in the press office of the House Science and Technology Committee, and as a Staff Assistant to Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Adfero Group Named to Inc. 5000 List

Inc. Magazine, one of America's top publications for entrepreneurs and small businesses, today named Adfero Group to its list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States for the second consecutive year. Adfero Group is well-known for integrating sophisticated digital strategies with traditional public relations tactics to advance their clients' public affairs or business agendas.

Over the past three years, the firm has experienced a 90.5 percent revenue growth. Overall, Adfero is ranked 3,032 on the Inc. 5000, having seen its total revenue increase from $2.9 million in 2005 to $5.5 million in 2008.  Adfero Group was recently named a finalist for "Small PR Firm of the Year" by PR News as one of six firms from around the country whose programs, campaigns or initiatives are considered to be the "best in PR."

Brookings Hiring a Media Relations Officer

The Brookings Institution is hiring a media relations officer to report directly to the director of communications. This person will be responsible for developing a media relations program to increase the visibility of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program - focusing on the program's scholars, research products, initiatives and events. 

For more details and to learn how to apply, please click here. (PF Tipster)

Meehan and Di Martino Start New Firm

Today, former Capitol Hill and campaign veterans Michael Meehan and David Di Martino announced the formation of their new firm, Blue Line Strategic Communications. Blue Line will assist corporate, non-profit, public advocacy and political clients to develop and deliver communications strategies. 

Prior to finding Blue Line, Meehan and Di Martino led BGR Public Relations, as the first Democratic hires for the newly bipartisan government affairs firm BGR Group. Blue Line will continue to have a partnership with BGR and another online media firm, Virilion. 

Erin Granstaff is joining Blueline as an account executive and and Stephanie Murguia will be a project manager. (PF Tipster)

New Communications Staff at Nuclear Threat Initiative

Mark Kitchens (pictured on the right) has joined the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) as the chief communications officer. Kitchens previously served as senior vice president for communications and strategy at AARP. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has also held several political positions including deputy press secretary for national security for Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign and assistant press secretary for President Clinton. Last year, he was named to PR Week's "40 Under 40" top communications professionals. He replaces Brooke Anderson who is the new chief of staff and counselor at The United States Mission to the United Nations. 

Also joining the NTI communications team as director of programs and outreach is Bryan Wilkes. Most recently, he was director of public affairs at the U.S. Nuclear Security Administration. He has also spent time on the Hill as a communications director, senior policy advisory and press secretary. (PF Tipster)

U.S. Chamber’s Freeman Named Top 40 Under 40 by PR Week Magazine

Tita Freeman, Vice President of Communications and Strategy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was recently named top 40 Under 40 by PRWeek magazine.  Freeman and other rising talent were recognized for “demonstrating the powerful future” of the communications and public relations industry.  

 

Prior to arriving at the Chamber in March 2008, Freeman was a full-time consultant in Google’s Washington, D.C. office.  She directed communications at the Business Roundtable, a trade association representing CEOs of major U.S. corporations, from 2002 to 2007.  Freeman began her communications career at APCO Worldwide and also held management positions at LexisNexis and Teligent.

 

At the Chamber, Freeman is part of the leadership team that has successfully raised awareness of the Chamber on key issues ranging from health care to international trade and has played a key role in the recently developed Campaign for Free Enterprise, which formally launches this fall. 

 

Freeman’s profile appeared in the August 1, 2009 issue of PRWeek, where 40 corporate, agency, and nonprofit professionals under the age of 40 were recognized for their outstanding work on behalf of their organizations and clients. (PF tipster)