Potomac Flacks

Communications Advice for Mitt Romney

This is a previously published column by White House Writers Group president and former Reagan White House speechwriter Clark Judge.  Three main points: pictures, sound bites, merchandize the message.  Full column here.  (Podium Pundits)

Diaz Joins Boston Rapid Response

As the Washington Post first reported, the campaign hired Danny Diaz as a senior adviser, with a specific focus on rapid response.  Diaz, co-founder of the public affairs firm FP1 Strategies, is a former communications director of the Republican National Committee and served as deputy communications director for Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) 2008 presidential campaign.

Diaz was a deputy press secretary at the National Republican Congressional Committee in the 2002 cycle and was Southwest regional press secretary on President George W. Bush’s re-election campaign.  (Roll Call’s “Shop Talk”)

Romney Names VP Senior Staff

Romney for President today announced that Randy Bumps will serve as Director of Operations for the vice presidential candidate and Kevin Sheridan will serve as Communications Director for the vice presidential candidate.

Bumps previously served as Political Director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Regional Political Director for the Republican National Committee and three terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Bumps is currently an Executive Vice President at the public affairs firm Direct Impact.

Sheridan is a former RNC spokesman and director of regional media where he served throughout the 2004 re-election campaign of President Bush. He is currently on leave as senior vice president at the public relations firm Edelman.  (PF tipster)

Buzzfeed Profiles former Obama White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

You may not have heard much from the once ubiquitous Robert Gibbs over the past year, until his turn on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday and Monday on NBC's "Today Show" and MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

Buzzfeed’s Michael Hastings profiles him now, as he returns to the Obama campaign as public spokesman, detailing some of his turbulent time in the White House, what really happened with Facebook, how the speaking gigs have been going and what he’ll do now.  It’s worth a read.  Full article here.  (Buzzfeed)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Moderate Southern Democratic Senator: Press Secretary

Moderate Southern Democratic Senator seeks experienced Hill communications staffer with excellent writing and editing skills, new media proficiency, honed media relations skills, event management experience and strategic planning capacity.

He/she will write speeches, press releases and advisories, talking points, briefing memos, newsletters, video scripts and Web content. Candidate must be able to operate in fast-paced environment, travel in-state w/ Senator, arrange interviews and prepare statements and re-acts on short notice. This communications staffer will arrange logistical details for press conferences and media events. He/she will stay current on state and legislative issues relevant to Senator and build strong relationships with press.

He/she will report to the Communications Director and assist in developing and implementing communication strategy for the senator and the office’s legislative goals.  Candidates must be able to write quickly and accurately, and have a proficiency in or desire to master varied media tools, including a broadcast-quality video camera. Prior Hill or campaign press experience desirable.

TO APPLY: Please submit resume and writing samples (leg. policy press release, interview briefing memo and longer form speech/remarks) to [email protected] indicating job referral number 221782 in the subject line.  Please note that the office will not accept any phone calls, e-mails or walk-ins with respect to this announcement.  This office is an equal opportunity employer.  (Senate Employment Bulletin)

Fallon to Financial Services Forum as Vice President for Communcations

The Financial Services Forum has announced that it has named Laena Fallon as its vice president for communications, effective in August.

Fallon was most recently the communications director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and previously served as press secretary for former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.

"Laena brings to the Forum strong communication expertise, national media experience and a sophisticated understanding of Capitol Hill," said Forum President and CEO Rob Nichols, in a press release. "She will be an extraordinary asset for our members as we go about communicating the important role the financial sector plays in economic growth and job creation."

Lamborn Flack Michalson to Romney Campaign as Press Advance

Kristine Michalson, longtime Press Secretary for Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), has been picked up by the Romney campaign to work on the press advance team.

Michalson has been with Rep. Lamborn since March 2008, serving as Press Secretary and Foreign Affairs Legislative Assistant.

Michalson is a 2007 graduate of Grove City College in Grove City, PA, where she earned a degree in History and holds Secondary Education Social Studies certification.  (PF tipster)

REMAINDERS: Cutter Profile, Holzer Departs Wyden for AFI, Ron Paul Aide to RNC, Psaki Returns to Obama, Fox Booker Tate Joins RNC, Burke Joins Vatican, Experience Flack Hallinan Joins PA Dems, Santorum Flack Beynon Hangs Shingle

We hope you had a nice July 4th holiday.  Here are some items you may have missed:

• Politico profiles Stephanie Cutter.
• Jennifer Hoelzer, the longtime Communications Director for Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), is moving west to be VP of Communications for the American Film Institute.  Here is the AFI press release.
• First reported by Politico’s Mike Allen, Gary Howard, who served as Communications Director for Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign, has joined the RNC as Special Projects Director.  Howard was previously Press Secretary for Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and worked for Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).
• Jen Psaki has returned to Team Obama, reprising her role from the 2008 campaign.  She had also served as Deputy Communications Director at the White House.  She is on leave from Global Strategy Group.  She’s traveling with the president, handling campaign inquiries, while White House Press Secretary Jay Carney handles questions on official matters.
• Also reported by Politico’s Mike Allen, Lauren Zelt Tate has joined the RNC as Deputy Press Secretary for Television. A Georgetown University graduate, Lauren previously worked as a guest booker for dayside programming and special election coverage at Fox News.
• Greg Burke, the longtime Fox News correspondent in Rome, has been named a senior communications adviser at the Vatican.  His hiring comes as the Vatican is handling a serious leak scandal.  Here’s the AP story when the news broke.
• Reported by Roll Call, James Hallinan is the new Communications Director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.  He was most recently Director of Research and Communications at the Louisiana Democratic Party.  He is a New Mexico political veteran, running communications for the state party, serving as Deputy Spokesman on former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign and working for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign in New Mexico at the end.  Earlier this cycle he served as spokesman for the special election campaign of Kate Marshal (D-NV).
• Also reported by Roll Call, Matt Beynon has launched Madison Strategic Ventures, based in Arlington, VA.  Steelers fan Beynon is best-known as the Deputy Communications Director for former Sen. Rick Santorum’s (R-PA) 2012 presidential campaign from June 2011 until the end.

INTERNSHIP OF THE WEEK: SKDKnickerbocker, Paid Interns (Fall semester)

SKDKnickerbocker, a leading Democratic strategic communications firm, is seeking interns to join its team in Washington, D.C. for the fall semester. Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in Democratic politics, media, advertising, social media, or other related fields. Ideal candidates will have full-time availability, strong writing and research skills, an understanding of the media, and the ability to handle multiple projects at once.  This employer is an equal opportunity employer with a strong dedication to diversity. Internships are paid positions

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should send their resume, August-December availability and writing sample to [email protected].  (PF tipster)