Potomac Flacks

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senate, New Media Deputy Press Secretary (Democrat)

U.S. Senate Democrat Committee Chairman seeks experienced New Media Deputy Press Secretary to develop and manage social media and online communications strategies. The New Media press secretary is responsible for increasing the Senator's digital presence while expanding a network of online supporters through the creative use of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, the Senator's official website, targeted email campaigns and blogger outreach.

The ideal candidate for the position will offer several years of communications experience -- campaign, government or private sector -- that focuses on social media and online grassroots organizing. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate proven success in working in highly integrated environments that include communications, policy and political staff. Some traditional press secretary responsibilities round out the portfolio.

TO APPLY: Please e-mail cover letter and resume to [email protected] indicating job referral number 221971 in the subject line. No phone calls please.

JOB OF THE WEEK: U.S. Senate, Speechwriter (Republican)

Republican U.S. Senator seeks experienced Speechwriter to craft speeches, floor statements, weekly columns, and op-eds. Responsibilities include ensuring quality, continuity and accuracy of Senator’s various communication methods. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, great team player, superior researching skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Hill experience preferred, but not required.

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter, resume, and writing sample to [email protected].  (Senate GOP Job Bank)

EXCLUSIVE: Former Rep. Noem flack McCarthy moves to Cato

Andrea McCarthy is the new Media Relations Manager at the Cato Institute.  In that role, she will be doing print media outreach, as well as editing and pitching opinion columns written by Cato experts.

She was previously Communications Director for Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD), in addition to serving as Press Secretary for House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Deputy Press Secretary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA).

McCarthy is a native of Red Bluff, CA and a graduate of Pepperdine University.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: NBC News, Publicist (NYC)

NBC News is seeking a Publicist, based in New York City.

Qualifications:

-Minimum 2-3 years working in public relations (agency, corporate, news organization) and/or digital news

-Must have working knowledge of the digital news space, including social media, apps for mobile/ devices, the competitive landscape and the digital business in general.

-Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

-Must be a strong writer with a demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment

-Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, social media and have basic computer skills.

Requirements:

-Minimum 2-3 years working in public relations (agency, corporate, news organization) and/or digital news

-Must have working knowledge of the digital news space, including social media, apps for mobile/ devices, the competitive landscape and the digital business in general.

-Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

-Must be a strong writer with a demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment

-Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, social media and have basic computer skills.

The successful applicant must be willing to work overtime and on weekends with
short notice.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume/CV through nbcunicareers.com to be considered (note job #: 8878BR) (PF tipster)

EXCLUSIVE: Sroka from PCCC to Democracy for America

Neil Sroka starts this week as the new Communications Director of Democracy for America -- the one million member strong, progressive organization founded by former Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT).

Sroka previously served as the Press Secretary for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Communications Director for Rep. Ann McLane Kuster's 2010 campaign and the first Director of New Media at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

He's a native of Buffalo Grove, IL and a graduate of George Washington University.  (PF
tipster)

Cuomo Aide Gollust, former NBC Exec VP of Corp Comms, to Lead CNN Communications

In an announcement late last week, Allison Gollust will join CNN Worldwide as Senior Vice President of Communications.  In her new role, which she assumes in March, Gollust will have oversight of all messaging strategy and execution on behalf of the portfolio of CNN networks and businesses, which includes CNN/U.S., HLN and CNN.com, as well as domestic operations of CNN International and CNN en Español.

Gollust will serve as chief spokesperson for the news brand and will lead publicity and public relations teams in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Gollust will be based in New York and will report to Jeff Matteson, senior vice president of communications for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., while working closely with her longtime
colleague Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide.

Gollust most recently served as Communications Director for Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY).  Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications for NBC Universal, where she oversaw all aspects of the company’s global communications efforts.

Gollust started at NBC in the Corporate Communications group in 1996 and was named Senior Publicist for Today in 1997.  With successive promotions, Gollust added responsibility for communications efforts supporting NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and the Weather Channel, and signature programs including NBC Nightly News, Dateline and Meet the Press.  She began her career as a news anchor, reporter and producer in Denver.  (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Buzzfeed, Press Manager (NYC)

BuzzFeed is seeking an aggressive, hard-working, experienced Press Manager to join our editorial team in New York. The person will be responsible for promoting reporters, editors and content focused on entertainment, celebrity, lifestyle and pop culture — but should also be a generalist who's able to grow with our expanding editorial team. The role will report to the Press Director and work closely with the Executive Editor. 

This job is based in our NYC offices, and offers competitive compensation and a stock option program.

Responsibilities

• Bring significant rolodex of lifestyle/entertainment TV producers and reporters and use contacts to expand BuzzFeed lifestyle press coverage
• Manage press for entertainment, celebrity, lifestyle and pop culture sections to promote content and editors/reporters, focusing on TV
• Work with Events Coordinator on company and entertainment and vertical-centric events
• Work with Events Coordinator on panels and industry events 

Qualifications

• Strong editorial sensibility
• Proven ability to pitch and secure placements at major media outlets
• Excellent organization skills and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Accessibility after hours and on weekends
• 4 - 6 years experience in PR and preferable media PR 

TO APPLY: Click here.  (PF tipster)

CASE STUDY: Be careful with social media

The spokesman for Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) was fired for tweeting a message under what he thought was his own Twitter account when in fact he was using the Congressman's account.

Even though he deleted it after 14 seconds, it was archived.

Full story.

Reporter Reisinger Joins Sen. Alexander’s Office

Per a news release, Brian Reisinger, formerly senior reporter for the Nashville Business Journal and new to Capitol Hill, will serve as Press Secretary for Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN). 

Reisinger had previously reported for the Wausau Daily Herald, and served as a reporting intern at the Janesville Gazette, the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram and other publications.

He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a native of Spring Green, WI.  (PF tipster)

EXCLUSIVE: NRCC Flack Sillin Joining Visa, Moving to San Francisco

This afternoon NRCC regional press secretary Nat Sillin told friends and colleagues that he is leaving Washington after nearly a decade to join Visa’s public affairs team.

His last day is expected to be February 16 and he will be moving to the Bay Area, although he says he will be traveling to DC frequently for work.

Sillin had served on Capitol Hill as Communications Director for Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-NY) and for a PR firm.

He is a graduate of the University of Vermont.  (PF reporting)