Potomac Flacks

FLACKS ... Beware or Be Prepared!!!

Thanks to a fellow PF Tipster who turned us on to the latest in new media ... check out this new website entitled iFollo.com

From a story in the NW Indiana Times … The Web site iFollo.com announced last week the launch of a new ‘fan-driven online community’ that bills itself as "providing a place for people to contribute stories, pictures and videos about their personal encounters with celebrities past or present, famous teams or groups. iFollo also describes itself as ‘the only interactive celebrity site that bases all of its content on real encounters with celebrities from real people.’

This sort of new media seems like a good way for flacks who’s boss has a public following to allow better and unfiltered attention.  Also, seems like another new platform that can get your boss the type of exposure he wants and make you look good at the same time.

While the general population would be more curious about a Paris Hilton encounter over a Harry Reid sighting, there is no limit for the most ambitious flack to get as many positive impressions of their boss as they can.

The young social platform site, found at www.ifollo.com - already has personal stories about George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John McCain, John Linder, and Orrin Hatch. 

Scott Circle Communications Announces New Account Executive

Scott Circle Communications Inc. has hired Abbey Franke as an Account Executive.

Abbey comes to Scott Circle with a diverse background in public relations and events management gained working with organizations ranging from the 2008 Democratic National Convention to the Boulder Fringe Festival. In addition to traditional public relations support, her focus at Scott Circle will be creatively managing new media campaigns where her experience in social networking, E-blasts, and Web site management will help organizations and companies increase their presence both on- and off-line.   

Abbey graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Art History and Theatre.  She was a Norlin Scholar and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  She is currently pursuing a Masters in Arts Management at American University.

Scott Circle Communications is a boutique public relations and event-planning firm that offers clients the reach of a large agency with the benefit of personal attention.

NPR's Susan Feeney to GMMB

As I was listening to NPR's All Things Considered last Friday, I heard the news that one of NPR's veteran  editors, Susan Feeney, was leaving. I was wondering where Susan was going and then lo and behold - a press release landed in my inbox this morning. Susan will be joining GMMB as a senior counselor. She will be concentrating on social advocacy campaigns. 

Susan's a well-known figure in Washington journalism circles - spending nine years at NPR and before that, time with The Dallas Morning News and The Times-Picayune. But, her work is not limited to journalism - she founded The Friends of the Times-Picayune, a national non-profit emergency relief fund for families of the newspaper's staff displaced by Hurricane Katrina. She built awareness and various coalitions to raise nearly $400,000, helping nearly 200 families. (PF Tipster)

Sen. Landrieu Hires former Lieberman Aide Sawicki as Press Secretary, Staffs up Press Office

Rob Sawicki has been hired as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA).  Sawicki was Senior Director of Communications for the Parkinson’s Action Network.  He previously worked for Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), as Staff Assistant, Deputy Press Secretary and Press Secretary.  Sawicki also served as the New Mexico Press Secretary for Lieberman’s 2004 presidential campaign.  Dan Toffey has been hired as the New Media Coordinator in Landrieu’s office. He was previously the Associate Research Director of the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College in Portland, OR.  Toffey also conducted research for Landrieu’s 2008 re-election campaign.  Ellie Atkins is a new Press Assistant for Landrieu.  Atkins was an intern for National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” and for Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA).   Jetaine Hart is a new Communications Assistant for Landrieu.  Hart interned in Landrieu’s office through the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Reporter Drobnyk Named Communications Director for Rep. Carney

Josh Drobnyk has been hired as Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA). He was a Washington correspondent for The Morning Call, a Pennsylvania newspaper.  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Outreach Strategies Launches

Public affairs agency veterans Tad Segal and Joe Clayton today announced the formation of Outreach Strategies, LLC, a full-service firm focused on advocacy communications, issues management, stakeholder engagement and

media relations. 

Outreach Strategies is the agency of record for the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) and the Geneva-based World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Clayton recently served as CEO of Widmeyer Communications. Segal also recently left Widmeyer, having led the agency’s Public Affairs group. (PF Tipster)

Former Aide to Sens. Hagan and Shaheen, Legacki, Named Top Flack for Rep. Bruce Braley

Caitlin Legacki has been hired as Communications Director to U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA). Legacki was Press Secretary to Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC).  Legacki previously worked as a campaign Press Secretary for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).  She also worked for the 2008 presidential campaign of former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC).  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Billington Named Communications Director for Rep. Laura Richardson

Jeff Billington has been hired as Communications Director for U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA). Billington was Deputy Director of Communications at the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. He has also worked at the American Correctional Association as Managing Editor, at the Arizona Farm Bureau as Communications Manager and at the West Valley View newspaper in Arizona as a staff writer.  (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Ryan Murphy, former Comms Dir for Rep. Joe Wilson, Moves to House Ed & Labor Committee

Ryan Murphy has been hired as Press Secretary on the Republican staff of the House Education and Labor Committee for Ranking Member U.S. Representative John Kline (R-MN), beginning in November. Murphy is now Communications Director for Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).  He previously was Deputy Press Secretary for Rep. Tom Price (R-GA). (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)

Former Clinton Media Aide Schear Named VP of Communications at Planned Parenthood

Stuart Schear has been hired as Vice President for Communications at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  Schear was a Communications and Policy executive at The Atlantic Philanthropies.  He previously worked at the Markle Foundation as Director of Communications. Schear also has worked at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and at the White House, where he managed television news interviews for the Clinton administration.  Schear is a former journalist who covered health care for PBS’ “NewsHour” and for NBC News. (CQ’s “People on the Move” column)