Mar 10, 2016 - campaigns, Afkhami will expand Podesta Group's growing digital ... that O'Dwyer's and PR Week consistentl
Podesta Group Looks to Accelerate Strategic Communications Growth As PR and digital revenues rise, veteran operative David Marin named PG PR practice chief, snags top digital strategist Hastie Afkhami FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katie Beck March 10, 2016 (202) 879-9322 Washington, DC – Top-ranked global public affairs firm Podesta Group announced today that firm principal David Marin has been named Managing Principal of Podesta Group PR. The firm also announced that Hastie Afkhami, former Senior Vice President, Global Strategy Team for Social@Ogilvy, has joined the firm as Senior Vice President and Director of Digital. Leveraging a vault of experience managing large, multi-national campaigns, Afkhami will expand Podesta Group’s growing digital offering, part of a strategic communications practice that has seen revenue triple over the past five years. “We have led the new generation of public affairs firms by marrying unparalleled policy and government relations expertise with precision communications, cutting-edge digital content and marketing savvy,” said firm founder and chairman, Tony Podesta. “This is in our DNA. And while the rest of Washington is playing catch up, we are doubling down on what we’ve always known is the winning approach.” “As the playbook for moving an advocacy agenda continues to change, we continue to bolster ours,” said Podesta Group CEO, Kimberley Fritts. “Hastie is a proven change agent who knows how to turn outreach into action. She has helped transform some of the world’s biggest brands and navigated some of the toughest reputational crises online. With David at the helm, and a diverse bench of strategic communications talent that is already second to none, we will deliver a unique model of 360 campaign management that organizations need to break through.” Afkhami joins an award-winning stable of digital, creative and strategic communications specialists that O’Dwyer’s and PR Week consistently rank among the very best. It’s a team of hungry digital and creative strategists complemented and supported by seasoned communicators, including: John Anderson, the longest-serving foreign correspondent for The Washington Post and former editor of Politico Magazine; Erin Billings, former deputy editor of CQ Roll Call; Josh Lahey, veteran creative and advertising strategist; Missi Tessier, former communications chief for House leadership; and David Kusnet, former top presidential speechwriter. Marin has quarterbacked some of PG PR’s most successful public affairs campaigns in recent years. He has helped revive the golf industry’s reputation among policymakers by creating the We Are Golf initiative; overturned, on behalf of CrossFit, Inc., regulations in the District of Columbia that would have required the licensure of personal fitness trainers; navigated numerous organizations and individuals through the congressional
investigations process unscathed; and enhanced the profiles of Fortune 500 brands seeking to increase market share in Washington, DC, the nation, and around the globe. He has also led the Podesta Group’s deep investment in analytics – both people and technology – to better inform and guide client strategies and execute real-time campaign optimization. “There’s been a profound paradigm shift when it comes to influencing those who matter,” said Marin. “No more earmark-driven horse trading. No more simply trolling the hallways on Capitol Hill. Success means leveraging data to tell the best stories. Our team does that exceptionally well, identifying and deploying the most compelling and persuasive story-tellers, on the most effective platforms.” Afkhami brings to the group extensive experience in digital strategy and management consulting. She was part of the core global strategy team that launched, developed, and grew Social@Ogilvy across the Ogilvy group. In addition to leading digital projects for Fortune 500 brands like Nestlé, Caterpillar, and CHANEL, she also helped lead the social transformation of the global Ogilvy community. “Snagging Hastie from Oglivy is a coup for PG Digital. She brings to the firm tested experience in digital communications and the know-how to build and grow a global social team. We are excited to have her lead our digital strategy team and shepherd our practice and our clients onto the next stage,” Marin said. About the Podesta Group Employing inventive strategies to deliver results, the Podesta Group has been helping leading organizations achieve their policy goals for over 20 years. Ranked among the very best, the Podesta Group is a full-service, bipartisan government relations and global public affairs firm that the New York Times calls one of Washington, DC’s “biggest players.” With a keen understanding of the intersection between policy and publicity, and the broad, substantive experience to get things done, the Podesta Group changes outcomes. Driven. Inspired. Smart. We are the Podesta Group. For more information, visit www.podestagroup.com.
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