Potomac Flacks

JOB OF THE WEEK: Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Communications Director

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) seeks a Communications Director to increase its exposure in the press, expand its social media footprint, and enhance its reputation as America’s most influential science and technology think tank.  This position reports to ITIF’s chief operating officer.

The communications director’s primary responsibility will be to publicize all of this activity. It is an exciting opportunity for an energetic media-relations professional to deepen their policy expertise and influence important public debates.

Duties:

• Plan and execute an ongoing media-relations program that enhances ITIF’s reputation as a thought leader among U.S. and international policymakers by measurably increasing its press exposure.
• Build new relationships and deepen existing ones with reporters, commentators, editors, and producers in the business, technology, and political press—including national newspapers, trade publications, broadcast outlets, and influential blogs.
• Drive coverage of ITIF reports, place op-eds, and build press interest in major ITIF events.
• Partner with ITIF’s digital media specialist to expand the organization’s social media footprint, including on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of five to seven years’ experience with increasing levels of responsibility for planning and executing robust media-relations programs.
• Strong track record of getting measurable results through media outreach, including placing op-eds and generating coverage for topical research reports and events.
• Hands-on experience with media-engagement software such as Vocus, knowledge of technology issues, and existing relationships with technology, business, and policy reporters is preferred.
• Strong writing and editing ability is essential, including sharp press releases, blog posts, and op-eds.
• Proven ability to handle multiple communications projects at once.
• Thorough understanding of digital communications is a must, including the fundamentals of website management.
• Practical experience and sound judgment using social media to raise the profile of an organization and engage in public issues.
• Strong understanding of public policy is essential. Previous experience on Capitol Hill or in the Washington office of a public relations or public affairs agency would be a plus.

Salary and benefits: Competitive salary is commensurate with experience and includes a health benefits package, generous paid vacation, annual performance-based bonus, and public transportation benefit.

TO APPLY: Please send a résumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Please note in the subject line of your email that you are applying for the Communications Director position, and please explain in your cover letter why you are interested in joining ITIF and how your experience and qualifications align with the goal of enhancing its reputation through an ongoing media-relations program.  (PF tipster)

Longtime Pence Aide Lloyd Moving to Indianapolis to Serve as Governor’s Communications Director

First reported by The Indianapolis Star, Matt Lloyd, a former longtime aide to Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) when he was in Congress, is returning to work for him as Communications Director in the Governor’s office.  He will move to Indianapolis and begin working there in late May.

As the Star reported, “Christy Denault, Pence's communications director since summer 2012, announced last week that she would be resigning. Denault cited family responsibilities, including raising triplets, in her resignation letter.”

Lloyd has been serving as Communications Director for Koch Industries.  He also served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN).

He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (Indianapolis Star & PF reporting)

Communications Vet Sadosky Joins Forbes-Tate, will Start PR Practice

Politico’s “Daily Influence” first reported that Jeff Sadosky is joining lobby firm Forbes-Tate as Senior Vice President.

Sadosky is a former Communications Director for U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and was most recently serving as a Managing Director of the Biotechnological Industry Organization.

Sadosky worked on the 2004 Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, for U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH), as Communications Director for the Republican Party of Florida, on U.S. Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) 2008 presidential campaign and as Communications Director for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

Politico reported that Sadosky will “service the firm's government relations clients,” while also “building the firm’s communications and public affairs practice.”

He graduated from James Madison University in 2000 and is a native of Huntington Beach, CA.  (Politico’s “Influence” & PF reporting)

Hainen Named Vice President at Vox Global

Bipartisan public affairs and strategic communications firm VOX Global has hired Kristen Hainen as a vice president in the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

Prior to joining VOX Global, Hainen was a Communications Director for LMG, Inc., where she managed and developed media strategies for clients in aerospace, technology, entertainment and defense.

Prior to her time at LMG, Inc., Hainen worked on several political campaigns and in Congressional offices developing communications strategies for candidates and elected officials in key battleground states including Colorado, Nevada and Virginia.  She has served as spokesperson, communications director and campaign manager for several campaigns.

Hainen is a graduate of Rockhurst University and received her Master’s in Political Management from George Washington University.  (PF tipster)

Phalen Named Communications Director for House Homeland Security Committee

House Homeland Security Committee chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) named Susan Phalen as the new Communications Director for the committee.

From 2011-2015, Phalen served as Communications Director for the House Intelligence Committee.

Before that she headed communications for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and spent eight years at the U.S. Department of State as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.  During that time, she deployed to Iraq nine times.

Before that she was Communications Advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the OECD in Paris.  She also worked in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House early in her career.

She got her start in radio on the island of Guam.

She is a 1992 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  (PF tipster)