Potomac Flacks

Veteran GOP communicator Heye Joins CRAFT as SVP

CRAFT | Media / Digital has named media veteran and CNN contributor Doug Heye as Senior Vice President of Media.

Heye will advise clients on crisis communications, media relations, and executive positioning, adding to CRAFT’s strategic capabilities. Heye will also lead client communications efforts specific to economic recovery for business and industry sectors.

Heye has led political and public affairs strategies since 1990, served on Capitol Hill for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, was Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, and served as Press Secretary to the Small Business Administration. Heye was a resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics focusing on crisis messaging and management. (Release)

Veteran Dem Communicator Brennan Joins Firehouse Strategies

Whitney Mitchell Brennan has joined Firehouse Strategies as senior vice president.

She is a veteran Democratic communicator with experience on campaigns and on Capitol Hill.

She most recently served as communications director and senior advisor for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

Whitney is a graduate of Indiana University.

Top Senate Flack Joins Rokk Solutions as SVP

Senate Republican Conference deputy staff director Jeff Grappone is joining bipartisan public affairs Rokk Solutions as senior vice president.

Grappone has nearly 20 years of experience, including serving as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Public Affairs, as a senior communicator for Siemens, and for U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R-N.H.).

Grappone is a graduate of Georgetown University. (PF tipster)

Former Biden Aide Mulhauser Launches Aperture Strategies

Scott Mulhauser launched Aperture Strategies, a new strategic advisory and communications firm.

 

In his career, Mulhauser helped run the Senate Finance Committee, served as deputy chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden during the 2012 campaign and was chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

 

Aperture helps coalitions, corporations, nonprofits, trade associations and others navigate public affairs, communications and management challenges and advises them on developments both domestically and globally. (PF tipster)

Landry Joins FP1 Strategies as Senior Vice President, Research & Communications

FP1 Strategies LLC (FP1) today announced that Jim Landry has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President of Research and Communications.  

Landry brings with him 15 years of research and strategic communications experience, having worked with national party committees, candidates, advocacy campaigns and non-profits.

He recently served as a senior communications adviser for a national non-profit and super PAC advising leadership on communications strategy on both policy debates and political campaigns. Prior to that, he led communications at American Action Network and American Action Forum shortly after their launch in 2010, developing paid and earned media strategies.

He served as Deputy Research Director at the Republican National Committee during the 2008 presidential campaign, guiding the day-to-day operation of a 30-person research team and advising on state-level rapid response.

He spent the 2004 and 2006 cycles at the National Republican Senatorial Committee working the legal, political and research departments. During the 2006 cycle, Jim led opposition research for several Senate campaigns and advised on earned and paid media efforts.

Jim grew up in Arlington, VA and has a degree in history from the University of Notre Dame. He is married with three children. (PF tipster)

Ayotte, Romney, RNC, Fox News vet Zelt Joins FP1 Strategies as Sr. VP of Comms

FP1 Strategies LLC announced the addition of Lauren Zelt as a senior vice president for communications. Lauren is officially returning to the firm after serving as deputy communications director for U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

Zelt has worked in the media and communications for more than a decade. Prior to joining FP1 Strategies initially in 2013, Zelt worked as director of media affairs for Mitt Romney for President, at the Republican National Committee, and at the Fox News Channel as a segment producer and guest booker.

A Pittsburgh native, Zelt danced as a member of the Corps de Ballet of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre prior to attending Georgetown University and graduating Cum Laude. (PF tipster)

Remainders: Gleischman to GPG; Mason to Albright-Stonebridge; Haulsee to Senate HELP Cmte; Litman to Google

Here are some recent items that we missed:

• Max Gleischman has joined Glover Park Group as Vice President.  He was most recently Director of Communications and Spokesperson for U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power.  Previously, he served as Communications Director for then-Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and for former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI).  (PF tipster)
• Julie Mason, currently the White House Director of Special Projects in the Office of Vice President Biden, has started working as Vice President for Communications at the Albright-Stonebridge Group.  Previously she was Communications Director for Dr. Jill Biden, spokesperson at AOL Time Warner and a communications staffer in the Clinton White House for five years.  (Politico “Playbook)
• Pinehurst, NC native Taylor Haulsee has been named Deputy Press Secretary for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN).  She previously worked at FP1 Strategies.  (PF tipster)
• Riva Litman has joined Google’s global communications and public affairs team in DC.  She was previously Communications Director for House GOP Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).  (Politico “Influence”)

JOB OF THE WEEK: Blue Engine Message & Media, Writer / Communications Strategist (Washington, DC)

Blue Engine Message & Media is seeking a talented writer and communications strategist to join the team servicing a growing and dynamic stable of clients.  Primarily, candidates applying for this position must demonstrate a talent for writing short form and long form products, writing for digital and traditional platforms, and writing quickly, efficiently, and succinctly on a wide variety of topics. Candidates should be accustomed to periods of intense activity, tight deadlines and pressure situations.  Candidates should have the skills to interface with multiple clients and manage projects simultaneously. Previous campaign experience, Capitol Hill experience or agency experience welcome. 

 Qualifications: 

• At least two years of communications or public relations experience
• Significant media relations experience with proven results and experience working with reporters
• Familiarity with the professional use of digital media channels
• Results-focused approach and commitment to going the extra mile for clients
• Experience developing and editing high-quality written materials

Blue Engine Message & Media specializes in strategic public affairs communications, reputation management and crisis communications for corporate, non-profit and industry advocacy clients.  All interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter via e-mail to [email protected].  (PF tipster)

JOB(S) OF THE WEEK: SKDKnickerbocker, Senior Associate & Vice President

SKDKnickerbocker, a leading Democratic strategic communications firm, is looking for Senior Associate and Vice President candidates to join its rapidly expanding public affairs team in Washington, D.C.

Ideal candidates must have:

• Previous experience working on Capitol Hill and political campaigns, in public affairs firms, for advocacy groups, and/or in journalism.
• A proven track record of placing national print and broadcast stories.
• A clear understanding of social media strategies for communications campaigns.
• The ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Strong research and writing skills.

Ideal Senior Associate candidates have 3 to 5 years of relevant experience beating deadlines, drafting great copy and anticipating the next step.

Vice President candidates have 5 to 7 years of experience that includes leading teams, managing clients and/or directing communications campaigns. We are looking for leaders who thrive off of the campaign war room pace and are focused on winning our clients’ Election Days.

This employer is an equal opportunity employer with a strong dedication to diversity.

TO APPLY: If you want to join our team of smart, amazing PR pros, send your resume to us: [email protected]. (PF tipster)

Exclusive: Former Bush administration aide Ditto Hangs a Shingle

Trey Ditto, a former Deputy Press Secretary in the Bush administration at the U.S. Department of Education, launched his own firm, Ditto Public Affairs (DPA), based in Brooklyn, NY.

DPA will serve various clients in the health care, financial services, technology, entertainment, legal and public policy industries.

Trey was formerly a V.P. with Emanate PR.

Joining him is Nicolle Gallo, who joins from the public affairs team at Edelman in D.C.  Previously she worked for Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), the New Jersey Republican State Committee and Governor Chris Christie's (R-NJ) gubernatorial campaign in communication roles.  (PF tipster)