Potomac Flacks

Experienced Flack Hannahs Returns to Capitol Hill as new Press Secretary for House Small Business Committee (Republican)

The House Small Business Committee has hired Joel Hannahs, in a return to Capitol Hill, as Press Secretary for the majority, under Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO).

Joel’s experience includes four years as Press Secretary for then-Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM), who is now running for the U.S. Senate, but he most recently covered the GOP Presidential primaries as a freelance reporter based in Iowa.

Before that, he spent three years as the Chief of Media and Policy Development for the nonprofit Air Force Association in Arlington, Virginia. Joel started his career as a newspaper reporter in the Midwest, and served as the Communications Director for the Republican Party of Iowa, his home state.

Hannahs replaces Wendy Knox, who left the Committee after having a baby in March.  (PF tipster)

Longtime Hill Flack Downey Heads to Tampa for Convention as Press Secretary

First reported by Politico’s Mike Allen, “Kyle Downey, a well-known Capitol Hill spokesman and strategist who has worked for Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), will be named Press Secretary of the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa.”

Downey had been serving as Communications Director for the Senate Republican Conference, which Thune chaired.

“The Conference and the Policy Committee were each chaired by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), on whose staff Downey served as communications director since Thune’s election in 2004.”

“Prior to joining Sen. Thune’s staff, Downey was Communications Director for Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Press Secretary to the House Budget Committee under the chairmanship of Rep. Jim Nussle (R-IA). He also served as Press Secretary to the House Republican Conference under the chairmanship of Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK).

“A Wisconsin native, Downey began his political career in Florida as a volunteer in the 2000 Bush-Gore ballot recount, later helping organize press events in the Tampa Bay area for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s 2002 re-election campaign.”  (Politico)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Washington Capitals, Digital Media Coordinator (Arlington, VA)

The NHL’s Washington Capitals are hiring a Digital Media Coordinator, based in Arlington, VA.

Overview: Maintains, updates and enhances WashingtonCaps.com, assists in game night
reporting efforts.

Responsibilities:

1)   1) WashingtonCaps.com
• Updates site content on a daily basis

a.      Builds HTML, CSS and JavaScript pages based on designs of graphic designer and requests from other departments.

b.      Day-to-day- examples include ticket pages, promotional and event pages, updates to existing pages

c.       Longer-term examples are Season Ticket Holder Locker Room, Kids Club, Community Relations subsite, Caps Academy subsite

d.      Posts editorial content (press releases, features, images, videos, sales and promotional messages, fan poll)
     - Aids in the development of content presentation systems for website
     ­- Updates and oversees timeliness of website content on a daily basis
     - Ensures “interior’ site contents are up-to-date and beneficial to fans

2)  2) Social Media

a.      Works with various departments to insure Capitals brand/information is well represented across social media outlets
   ­- Uses social media outlets to inform fans of organization’s news and events, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, FourSquare, as well as any new social outlets the Capitals may utilize
   ­- Assists in the measurement of social media effectiveness and overall value
   ­- Works with others to create and implement social contesting and strategies

b.      Moderates message boards for adverse content and rules violations
   ­- Works with user moderators to moderate online message board for adverse content
   ­- Monitors most frequently discussed topics
   ­- Offers suggestions to better engage, educate and build a larger community

c.       Maintains online archival material (news, history, player profiles, images, videos)

d.      Participates in all podcast productions
   ­- Assists with camera operations
   ­- Clip gathering and editing
   - Perform basic audio/video editing, technical direction
   - Streams both audio and video podcasts

3)  3) Game Day

a.      Assists with pregame and postgame news gathering and presentation
   ­- Pre and postgame audio/video interviews
   - Photo gallery creation
   - Game related page updates
   - Streams coaches’ postgame press conferences

b.      Assists with in-game tweeting and monitors in-game chats

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 1-3 years communications and/or website experience
• Strong computer skills with experience in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office*
• Experience with content management, digital asset management*
• Basic video editing skills
• Understanding of basic graphic design principles (layout, typography, space, color)
• Understands the basic premise of social media as an outreach tool
   - Familiar with social media services: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest
• Ability to work on deadline, handle multiple tasks
   - Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision
   - Must be a self-starter with decision-making abilities
   - Demonstrate organizational skills and attention to detail
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends based on Capitals schedule

*Examples of previous work will be requested

TO APPLY: View job listing here.  Link to apply here.  (PF tipster)

http://hockeyjobs.nhl.com/teamwork/jobs/apply.cfm?jobid=45367

Dunn Succeeds Mangi as Portman Press Secretary

First reported in Politico’s “Playbook,” Caitlin Dunn has been named Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), a leading contender for vice president on the Republican ticket.  Dunn, who replaces Christine Mangi, previously served on both the McCain and Pawlenty presidential campaigns and was most recently Press Secretary for Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).  Dunn is a native of Montgomery Village, MD and a graduate of Notre Dame.

Mangi is departing to move to St. Louis to serve in a global communications role with Anheuser Busch/InBev.  Mangi is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  (Politico’s “Playbook”)

Remainders: Carmichael to Price; Pfeiffer Departs Hagan; Pence Campaign Hires Denault

Yes, sometimes at PF we miss some items; although our goal is to make sure you miss nothing.  Think we’ve missed something?  Email us!

• Ellen Carmichael, best known as the overworked but well-liked flack for Herman Cain’s unbelievable campaign ascent through 2011, has joined Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) as Press Secretary for both his personal and leadership offices.  Dr. Price is Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee.  Carmichael, a proud Baton Rouge, LA native, had most recently served as Communications Director for Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID).  For Cain’s campaign, Carmichael was the Atlanta-based Communications Director.  She’s an LSU graduate.
• Jack Pfeiffer recently announced he was departing Sen. Kay Hagan’s (D-NC) office, where he was Press Secretary for two years, to pursue new endeavors.  Chris Moyer has replaced him.
• The gubernatorial campaign of Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) recently named Christy Denault as Communications Director.  Previously Denault served as Communications Director for Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman (R-IN).  Most recently she worked as a strategic communications consultant for Bose Public Affairs Group.  She’s also worked at Purdue University.  She’s a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a Master’s degree in international conflict analysis from the University of Kent in England.  (PF tipster)

 

JOB OF THE WEEK: Deputy Press Secretary, Western Democratic U.S. Senator

Western Democratic U.S. Senator seeks tech-savvy Deputy Press Secretary to join busy Communications Team in Washington.

Individual will lead Senator’s aggressive new media efforts, including website maintenance, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube outreach. Additional responsibilities include preparation of press releases, briefing materials, email newsletters and a variety of other written materials. Candidates must be capable of producing a public access television show and all in-house video production. Mac proficiency required. Previous tech/online outreach and web development is preferred.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume, including all relevant program and application skills, to [email protected].  (PF tipster)