Potomac Flacks

BPC Announces Comms Vet Traynham as New Vice President of Communications

The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) today announced the hiring of veteran communications professional Robert Traynham as Vice President of Communications.

Traynham will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic communications program and leading a team to ensure BPC public relations, events, media, print and digital content are all aligned with the organization’s mission and to improve its reach.

He has previously worked in the private sector for Comcast as their Washington Bureau Chief and host of a public affairs show, and for 10 years in the U.S. Senate as a Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and the Senate Republican Conference. He was also a senior advisor for Bush-Cheney 2004 re-election campaign.

He is a native of Yeadon, PA.  He currently serves on the board of trustees of his alma mater, Cheyney University and often appears on MSNBC as a political analyst. (PF tipster)

Elleithee Leaves DNC to Start Institute of Politics and Public Service at Georgetown

Roll Call reported that Democratic National Committee (DNC) Communications Director Mo Elleithee has left the DNC to serve as the first Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service at the McCourt School of Public Service.

He was a founding partner of political consulting firms Hilltop Public Solutions and Three Point Media, from which he’s been on leave while at the DNC. He’s also advised countless Senate and gubernatorial candidates, working extensively with Virginia Democrats

In 2012, he was a media adviser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s independent expenditure campaign. Six years earlier, he ran the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s independent expenditure effort against then-U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-VA).

He’s worked on four presidential campaigns, most recently as Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 spokesman.

Georgetown feels like home for Elleithee. A proud and vocal Hoya fan, he graduated from the School of Foreign Service in 1994. Since 2011, he’s been an adjunct professor at McCourt, where he teaches a class on campaigns.

Elleithee is a native of Tucson, AZ.  (Roll Call)

Berger Named VP of Outreach Strategies

Outreach Strategies, LLC (OS), a mission-driven communications and public affairs firm focused on advancing sustainability, social and environmental solutions, has named Abby Berger as Vice President.

Berger joins OS from her role as Director in Golin’s Washington, D.C., office, where she focused on energy and corporate sustainability as part of the public affairs practice. During her five years with the global public relations firm, Berger led media, social marketing and stakeholder engagement programs for corporate and government clients including Dow and The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s energy conservation education campaign, Virginia Energy Sense.

Prior to her time at Golin, Berger managed marketing efforts as a consultant to federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Small Business Administration and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Berger also held on-site communications roles with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Berger earned a B.S. in Communications Studies from Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication and an M.A. in Public Communication from American University. She began her career in sustainability as an intern for the London-based Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group. (PF tipster)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PRSA-National Capital Chapter to host “The Challenges and Rewards of a Career in Public Affairs” on June 26 (Reston, VA)

The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) National Capital Chapter (NCC) will host a special event on Friday, June 26 from 8am-10am.

With the economy getting stronger, jobs in the public sector are starting to open up. In this workshop, you'll hear from a panel of public affairs experts who will tell you about this interesting career choice. Learn how they made the transition from private-sector to public-sector PR and their advice to others seeking a similar position.

Schedule:

8:00 to 8:30am - Networking/Breakfast
8:30 to 10:00am – Program

Panel:
Bridget Serchak, Chief, Public Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense
David Barnes, Public Affairs Liaison, Inspector General for Tax Administration, Department of Treasury
Kyle S. Richardson, Public Affairs Specialist, FirstNet
Lisa-Joy Zgorski, Public Affairs Specialist, National Science Foundation

Moderator:  Robert Deigh, RDC Public Relations LLC

Location:
Northern Virginia Community College Reston Center
1831 Wiehle Avenue
Reston, VA 20190
Directions: http://www.nvcc.edu/loudoun/maps.html

Cost: (Open to the public)
$28 PRSA and WWPR Members
$38 Nonmembers
$15 Students
$5 more at the door (space permitting)

For more information, visit here.  (PRSA-NCC)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Aspen Institute, Senior Associate, Public Affairs & Social Media)

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners.

The Public Affairs office within the Communications Department is responsible for media relations and communications support of Institute programs. The team manages the external communications efforts including media placement and response, editorial writing, and communications counsel to Aspen Institute programs.

The Senior Associate, Public Affairs & Social Media supports the VP/Chief External Affairs Officer and Director of Communications & Public Affairs with all facets of social media, media relations, event planning and execution management, and external communications activities for the Aspen Institute at large and its programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist VP/Chief External Affairs Officer and Director of Communications & Public Affairs in all aspects of the Communications department’s work, with a particular focus on social media

• Create content and post/schedule multiple times each day to Institute Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social media accounts. During select seasons, manage and post to satellite accounts, including the Aspen Ideas Festival
• Co-manage regular meetings on social media content and strategy, in order to plan social media strategy for Institute at large
• Consult with various policy programs, in coordination with the Senior Manager, Public Affairs and Policy Program Communications, on their social media presences
• Lead meetings and instructional events to promote best practices among social media practitioners at the Institute
• Support social media needs for myriad public events, on and off site
• Coordinate with underwriters on social media plans and efforts
• Draft and distribute written materials such as news releases, press kit documents, fact sheets, bios, and related correspondence
• Help coordinate myriad events and symposia
• Support and assist programs with planning and executing their press outreach
• Perform research (fact checking, media information, etc.)
• Stay actively informed of activities of the Institute

Interacts routinely with Communications team members, Institute employees at all levels, members of the media, and external constituents.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, political science, or related area, with two (2) to five (5) years of related experience
• Experience working on social media accounts in a professional capacity required
• Working knowledge of media directories, related services, and other media relations tools helpful
• Outstanding writing skills with a focus on detail and accuracy
• Strong organizational skills with ability to complete projects and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and well with a diverse group of people throughout the organization
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines
• Web savvy
• Flexible and versatile work style
• Superior computer skills: proficient Microsoft Office; desktop publishing skills a plus

Level of Authority:

• Non-supervisory position
• No budgetary authority

TO APPLY: Visit the Aspen Institute’s career page at www.aspeninstitute.org/about/jobs and follow the instructions to submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should highlight applicant’s specific qualifications for this position. Applications without a cover letter may not receive full consideration.

If you have trouble uploading any portion of the application processes, please try using the escape key to exit the screen. Your document should then safely upload.

No phone calls or emails. (PF tipster)

DREAM JOB OF THE WEEK: Director, Corporate Communications, Philadelphia 76ers

The Director of Corporate Communications will be responsible for implementing public relations plans for the Philadelphia 76ers off-court and business initiatives. The position will assist in the development of the public relations strategy that drives brand image, senior executive profiles, and key messaging for the Sixers business divisions, including corporate partnerships, sales, community relations and marketing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and deliver strategies that tell the 76ers’ overall narrative through traditional and unique media opportunities, on a local, regional and national level, with a focus on business initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key local, regional and national business and off-court media.
• Work closely with corporate partnerships, sales and marketing to develop storylines for external use.
• Oversee the writing and editing of internal and external communications, including press releases, memos and marketing material.
• Manage and guide staff to successful earned media placements and event execution.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• 8-10 years strong public relations experience including relevant experience in the sports and entertainment industry.
• Strong relationships with media outlets across multiple platforms.
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in marketing, public relations or communications.
• Significant experience in special event development and execution.
• Strong planning and project management skills with the ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to represent public relations department internally on cross-functional teams while developing and executing public relations strategies for marketing plans.
• Experience in writing, editing and providing guidance for development of a range of PR and communication materials.
• Outstanding communication, public speaking and interpersonal skills.

TO APPLY: Click here. (PF tipster)