Potomac Flacks

Scott Circle Communications Announces Former Journalist Stinnett as new Account Executive

Scott Circle Communications, a boutique public relations and events planning firm founded by PF contributor Laura Gross, recently announced the hiring of Jordan Stinnett as an Account Executive.  In the role, Stinnett will create media strategies for clients, pitch the media, create social media campaigns and execute event planning.

Prior to entering the public relations industry, Stinnett worked as a managing producer with the ABC affiliate in Raleigh, N.C. and the CBS affiliate in Fort Myers, Fla. Her experience as a journalist gave her a unique media relations perspective, which she honed at Fleishman Hillard, where she coordinated media outreach for clients in the food, wine and cultural industries.
 
A current Georgetown University graduate student, Jordan conducts research and creates integrated marketing communications plans for several high-profile nonprofit organizations and trade associations. In addition to traditional communications planning, Jordan has experience with new media, having created digital strategies for local nonprofit organizations and trade associations. Through her graduate program, Jordan also designs and implements quantitative research plans, helping to precisely guide communications efforts.
 
Jordan is expected to earn her Master’s Degree in December of 2011 from the award-winning Public Relations and Corporate Communications Program at Georgetown University. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado, where she interned with the Colorado Historical Society and Tsunami Publicity, a grassroots communications firm.  (PF tipster)

Lampkin Departs DCI Group to Hang a Shingle

Emily Lampkin, who is a partner at DCI Group and has worked there for the last five years, has announced the formation of her own public affairs firm, The Lampkin Group.

Lampkin is a former Bush-Cheney 200 campaign aide who served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education and Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education, before she joined DCI in 2005.

In her announcement Lampkin said she would continue to service “two existing clients in tandem with the talented staff at DCI,” which she called “the best of both worlds for me.”

Lampkin says her new firm will focus on large-scale public affairs strategy development and implementation and small-scale public affairs advice and counsel.

Lampkin is a native of St. Louis, MO and a graduate of the University of Missouri. (PF tipster)

Shields, Finance Committee Press Secretary (Democrat staff), Heads to HHS

Erin Shields, who spent the last five years working for the Senate Finance Committee (Democratic staff) recently departed for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she is the new Communications Director for Health Care in the office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

Shields is a graduate of Boston University.  (PF tipster)

Mullen Departs Rep. Altmire’s Office for Grad School; Replaced by Carbo

Tess Mullen recently announced that she would depart the office of Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) to attend graduate school in the fall.  Mullen had served as Communications Director for the last 3 ½ years.

Rep. Altmire’s new Communications Director is Richard Carbo.  (PF tipster)

Former CNN, CBS Producer Yuille Heads to Facebook

Exclusively reported in Politico’s “Playbook” recently, Jennifer Yuille has joined Facebook's communications team, where she will lead consumer media efforts.  She'll be based in New York, but will be spending time in Palo Alto and will start near the end of July.

A former White House producer at CNN, Jen last year left the “CBS Evening News,” where she was a producer for Katie Couric, and joined Polyvore, a Silicon Valley fashion startup that has become the largest fashion community on the Web.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

Purple Strategies Adds Rob Collins and Jim Jordan

This morning Politico’s Mike Allen previewed Purple’s newest additions Rob Collins and Jim Jordan in a story called, “A Bipartisan One-Stop Shop.”  In the article it was announced that Rob Collins and Jim Jordan have joined as Partners with Purple Strategies, one of the leading full-service public affairs firm for corporations, trade associations, non-profit organizations and advocacy groups.  Collins and Jordan will manage the firm’s expanding government affairs, political advocacy and public affairs practice.

Purple Strategies was created when Alex Castellanos and Steve McMahon merged two well-established Republican and Democratic firms to create Purple Strategies.  By joining forces, Purple brings together ‘Blue and Red’ strategists from across the political spectrum. From designing a comprehensive message strategy, government affairs, strategic communications to opinion research, integrated advertising, media relations; new media and grassroots outreach, Purple provides a unique perspective on public affairs and the highest level of service and expertise.

“Rob and Jim have been at the top levels of politics, advocacy and government for over a decade.  Their knowledge, unparalleled experience and contacts reinforces Purple’s reputation for bringing the best Republican and Democratic strategists together to advocate for clients,” said Bruce Haynes a Founding Partner at Purple. “They join an experienced team, providing hands-on strategic counsel and the full range of government affairs and public affairs services.”

JOB OF THE WEEK: Director of Media Relations for the National Retail Federation

Director, Media Relations for the National Retail Federation

 Reports to:  VP, Communications and SVP, Communications and Public Affairs

Directly responsible for, but not limited to, performing the following duties:

• Executing both short term and long term media campaigns to pro-actively build press awareness of issues and events and garner positive coverage
• Extensive writing of press releases, media advisories, Op-Eds, and executive briefing documents
• Building an acute understanding of policy issues including their history, current activity, and future developments
• Offer insight and understanding about leveraging new and emerging media technology to strengthen public awareness of key issues among target audiences
• Representing NRF to the public through a variety of media as an association spokesperson

• Working with policy team to develop and maintain content to support PR and Advocacy sections of NRF website
• Developing and maintaining strong Washington media contacts from traditional and emerging media outlets

Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to develop and pitch ideas/stories to media and to communicate effectively and persuasively in a variety of environments.
• Ability to write about a variety of legislative issues for diverse audiences through multiple channels
• Initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to handle fast-paced, deadline oriented office
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Political campaign, Capitol Hill or trade association experience is a plus

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize assignments & handle multiple tasks

EXPERIENCE:

5-7 years related experience

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree in Public Relation/Journalism or equivalent experience. 

Interested candidates should email: freeman(at)nrf.com