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)

SENATE FLACK JORDAN HEADS TO PINKSTON GROUP

The Pinkston Group, a strategic communications consultancy located in the D.C.-metro area, today announced that Darrell “D.J.” Jordan, will be joining the firm as its newest director.

Jordan brings significant experience to the table, having served as communications director for federal leaders and committees, as well as curated content for major news outlets.

As communications director for Senator James Lankford (Okla.) and the House Small Business Committee, and press secretary for House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Jordan has secured national and local coverage on key policy issues.

As an editor and producer for Fox and CNN, he helped develop coverage for major news outlets. While working on Capitol Hill, he completed a Masters of Public Management at The Johns Hopkins University and fine-tuned his understanding of public policy. As such, he is ideally positioned to lead and implement strategic public relations campaigns for Pinkston Group clients.

As director, Jordan will lead a team of experienced strategists, designers, and writers. Leveraging his extensive experience and network, he will expand the Pinkston Group’s reach to new industries and sectors through a dynamic, targeted approach. (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)

Veteran GOP Communicator Taylor Joins Forbes Tate Partners

Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) today announced that Ryan Taylor, who most recently served as Communications Director for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), has joined its strategic communications and public affairs practice as Vice President. Ryan joins FTP as the firm’s public affairs practice continues to expand rapidly, bringing over a decade of public sector and campaign experience with him.

In his new role as Vice President, Ryan will help lead the firm’s public affairs consulting teams and design winning strategies for advocacy campaigns in Washington, D.C. and across the country. Ryan brings more than a decade of experience on Capitol Hill as a senior advisor and communications strategist for four U.S. Senators and a Member of Congress. Ryan also worked as a policy advisor on federal regulatory issues for Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) on the Senate Republican Policy Committee, handling regulatory matters related to Dodd-Frank, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Transportation.

In addition to his time on Capitol Hill, Ryan has had significant success leading Republican campaign efforts. In 2012, he served as Senator Barrasso’s campaign manager, helping him garner an unprecedented 75.9 percent of the total statewide vote. In 2010, as Executive Director of the Wyoming Republican Party, he led the Party to the single largest election victory in 90 years.

Having worked for members of Congress from the Rocky Mountain West to the South – including Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) – Ryan has a strong background on a wide range of issues, including national defense, telecommunications, infrastructure, energy, public lands, and healthcare. (PF tipster)

Former Obama Admin vet Esser Joins GPG as Managing Director

Leading strategic communications and government affairs firm The Glover Park Group (GPG) announced today that Victoria Esser has rejoined the firm as a Managing Director. Esser will work in the Strategic Communications division, providing strategic and media counsel for a broad range of firm clients, including in the technology and financial sectors.

Esser returns to GPG after serving for six years in senior roles in the Obama Administration, including as Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Digital Strategy at the U.S. Department of State. In her most recent role at Treasury, Esser was the principal communications advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury and oversaw all strategic positioning, media relations and stakeholder engagement for the agency on issues ranging from international affairs, to economic and tax policy, and sanctions and illicit finance.

Esser previously held various leadership positions at GPG from 2004 to 2011, having served most recently as Managing Director. She co-led GPG’s International Affairs practice, and was a trusted advisor on corporate reputation and strategic positioning issues, financial communications and complex, global issues management efforts.

Esser graduated from Colby College and received an M.A. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Esser is a recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the Treasury Department’s highest honor, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. (PF tipster)

FMR. OBAMA WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY COMMS DIR ALLEN JOINS GPG

Strategic communications and government affairs firm The Glover Park Group (GPG) announced that Liz Allen has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President. Allen will work in the Strategic Communications practice, providing strategic and media counsel for the firm’s clients.

Allen comes to GPG with a decade of experience in government and politics, most recently serving as Deputy Communications Director and Deputy Assistant to President Barack Obama. At the White House, Allen drove strategic communications planning for President Obama’s key policy initiatives and public appearances.

Allen served in several senior roles over eight years as part of the Obama Administration including Director of Message Planning in the White House communications office, Director of Public Affairs for Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and Vice President Joe Biden’s Deputy Director of Communications.

Allen, a native of Buffalo, New York, graduated from the State University of New York College at Geneseo Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Allen began her career in Washington, DC, working at the State Department on human trafficking and border security issues in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement. Allen also worked for the 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee and the Obama-Biden Presidential Campaign. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: SKDKnickerbocker, Senior Associate

SKDKnickerbocker is looking for candidates to join its rapidly expanding public affairs team in Washington, D.C. The senior associate position work with account managers on a range of corporate, association, nonprofit and issue advocacy clients. Ideal candidates are driven self-starters with the ability to grasp complex subject matter quickly and work well within teams. Other qualifications include:

• Experience placing national print and broadcast stories, drafting op-eds, press releases, media advisories, Q&A, talking points, statements, as well as other communications documents.
• Previous experience working on Capitol Hill and political campaigns.
• A clear understanding of social media strategies for communications campaigns.
• Experience managing multiple projects and the ability to handle multiple deadlines.
• Strong research and writing skills, and a strong knowledge of AP Style.

Candidates should have 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in a related positions. Candidates with robust media relations experience are preferred. This employer is an equal opportunity employer with a strong dedication to diversity.

TO APPLY: If you are interested in joining the SKDKnick team, send your resume to: [email protected]. (PF tipster)

JOB OF THE WEEK: SKDKnickerbocker is Hiring (Senior Associates, Vice Presidents)

SKDKnickerbocker is looking for mid-level candidates to join its rapidly expanding public affairs team in Washington, D.C.

Senior Associates and Vice Presidents work with account managers on a range of corporate, association, non-profit and issue advocacy clients.

Ideal candidates are driven, self-starters with the ability to grasp complex subject matter quickly and work well within teams.

Ideal candidates must have:

·         Experience placing national print and broadcast stories, and drafting op-eds, press releases, media advisories, Q&A, talking points, statements, as well as other communications documents

·         Previous experience working on Capitol Hill and political campaigns

·         A clear understanding of social media strategies for communications campaigns

·         Experience managing multiple projects and the ability to handle multiple deadlines

·         Strong research and writing skills, and a strong knowledge of AP Style.

Candidates should have four to six years of relevant experience in writing, research and media intensive positions. Candidates with robust media relations experience are preferred. This employer is an equal opportunity employer with a strong dedication to diversity.

TO APPLY: Send your resume to us: [email protected]. (PF tipster)