Posted June 5, 2023
Lesswing to Serve as Senior Vice President in firm’s Public Affairs Practice in New York
New York, – Today SKDK announced Bryan Lesswing joined the firm’s Public Affairs practice in New York as a Senior Vice President. Lesswing comes to SKDK after serving as a Senior Advisor to Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY). In his new role at SKDK, he will support the firm’s corporate, crisis and advocacy clients, as well as contribute to its strategic growth. Lesswing brings over a decade of communications expertise to his role at SKDK, spanning politics, government, and advocacy.
Since 2019, Lesswing has served New York State Governor Kathy Hochul in a number of capacities, most recently serving as a Senior Advisor, providing strategic communications guidance on a host of issues and collaborating with the Governor’s senior staff and top Administration officials. In this role, he led communications for the Governor’s pandemic response, tackled other crisis communications, acted as an advisor to elect New York State’s first female Governor, and supported then-Lieutenant Governor Hochul’s transition to becoming Governor. In 2023, Lesswing was named in City & State New York’s Albany Power 100 list.
“We are excited to welcome Bryan to the SKDK family,” said Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK. “His experience at the highest levels of state government and expertise in communications, politics, and advocacy makes him a perfect fit for SKDK and our clients. With Bryan’s addition, our firm continues to build the deepest roster of talented and connected strategists in public affairs and political consulting,” said Thornell.
Marissa Shorenstein, the former director of the executive transition for Governor Hochul and a principal at SKDK, added, “I have witnessed firsthand the exceptional leadership and dedication Bryan brings to any challenge. His qualities will make him an invaluable asset to the team at SKDK.”
Prior to his time on Governor Hochul’s team, Lesswing worked as a seasoned campaign operative on competitive federal and state campaigns in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. During the 2018 election cycle, Lesswing served as a communications director for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) first re-election campaign after advising winning candidates across the country for EMILY’s List and serving as the Northeast Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Lesswing volunteers in his spare-time with Blue Leadership Collaborative, an organization dedicated to retaining and developing diverse campaign leaders. Lesswing graduated from DePauw University with a dual bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He lives in New York City.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to work for Governor Hochul and serve alongside her talented team, and I could not be more excited to start this next chapter with the best and brightest at SKDK,” said Lesswing. “There is no better firm on the pulse of press, politics and policy and the progressive change happening across the country.”
About SKDK
SKDK is a top national communications and political consulting firm that brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate for an issue, or win an election.
In 2022, SKDK served as strategists and admakers for winning campaigns including Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas, and Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut – and in 2020, was a key adviser to the historic Biden-Harris campaign. SKDK has won the Holmes Report’s influential North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year multiple times and was listed by the Observer as one of the best public relations firms in America for 2023. To learn more about SKDK, visit our website at www.skdknick.com.
SKDK and its subsidiary businesses, Sloane & Company and Jasper Advisors, are proud members of Stagwell, a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable, seamless solutions through a unique combination of culture-moving creativity and leading-edge technology.
Posted May 17, 2023
Deal Unites Experienced C-Suite Advisors with Nationally Renowned Strategic Communications Firm, and Brings Jasper Advisors into Stagwell’s (STGW) network
Jasper Advisors Will Operate as an Independent Subsidiary of SKDK, Keeping its Name and Leadership Structure
Washington, DC – SKDK, a nationally recognized public affairs and political consulting firm, and part of the growing Stagwell network, today announced it has acquired Jasper Advisors, a c-suite advisory firm, founded by Julie Andreeff Jensen and David Sutphen. Under the deal, Jasper and its team will remain an independent subsidiary led by Jensen and Sutphen, and continue advising its growing roster of clients across business and sports. Together Jasper and SKDK create an unparalleled combination uniquely positioned to help clients strengthen their reputations and navigate an increasingly complicated landscape at the intersection of business, politics, media, and policy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jasper Advisors to the SKDK family. I have known both Julie and David for nearly 20 years and they are two of the most talented and respected reputation strategists in the business, said Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK. “By joining forces with Jasper we can offer clients an unmatched and even deeper level of senior strategic counsel, breadth of experience, and diversity of executive talent, further strengthening our industry leading capabilities. Our shared values and commitment to working for clients on issues that matter in the world also make this partnership a perfect match for SKDK,” continued Thornell.
With decades of experience at the highest levels of business, government, and civil society, David and Julie bring a multidimensional perspective to client work. Jensen has been a trusted advisor to some of the most recognizable names in business, politics, and sports. Prior to founding Jasper, Jensen held c-suite roles at the Washington Football Team and Citadel, where she built the corporate affairs functions and oversaw the firm’s reputation, philanthropic, and brand strategy. She joined Citadel from Brunswick where she was a partner and advised Fortune 500 companies and CEOs. Earlier in her career, Julie worked as a senior advisor on numerous Democratic Presidential and Gubernatorial campaigns. Sutphen is a multi-faceted advisor with a diverse background spanning business, government, entertainment, and civil society. He was a c-suite executive at 2U, reporting to the CEO, ran the Brunswick, Washington DC office, and held senior positions in the media and entertainment industry. Before moving to the private sector, Sutphen served as General Counsel to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Judiciary Committee and Chief of Staff to Congressman Harold Ford Jr. He serves on numerous non-profit and corporate boards.
Jensen, Founder and Co-CEO added, “joining forces with SKDK is a strategic opportunity to accelerate our vision for Jasper and work with people we trust and respect. Our growing sports practice advising teams, brands, and individuals is a particularly exciting, and differentiated, focus of expansion for Jasper and SKDK.”
“As we continue building Jasper into a leading c-suite advisory firm, our existing and future clients will now benefit from the deeper bench of best-in-class talent, depth of experience and capabilities, and strategic savvy that our two firms can deliver together,” said Sutphen, Founder and Co-CEO. “We’re thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Doug and the entire SKDK team.”
Based in DC, Jasper Advisors was founded in September of 2022. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and this deal follows SKDK’s prior acquisition of Sloane & Company in February 2020.
About SKDK
SKDK is a top national communications and political consulting firm that brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate for an issue, or win an election.
In 2022, SKDK served as strategists and admakers for winning campaigns, including Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas, and Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut – and in 2020, was a key adviser to the historic Biden-Harris campaign. SKDK has won the Holmes Report’s influential North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year multiple times and was listed by the Observer as one of the best public relations firms in America for 2023.
SKDK is a proud member of Stagwell, a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable, seamless solutions through a unique combination of culture-moving creativity and leading-edge technology.
About Jasper Advisors
Founded by Julie Andreeff Jensen and David Sutphen, Jasper Advisors is a boutique consultancy that advises CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, and emerging businesses; non-profit leaders and organizations; and prominent individuals on managing their reputation and navigating the change, challenges, and opportunities that come with operating in today’s complex, multi-stakeholder world.
Posted April 24, 2023
Posted March 21, 2023
Led by Pia Carusone and Alex Bloom, Cause-oriented Public Affairs Firm will Build Presence
Washington, D.C. – Today, SKDK announced the launch of its New England practice, which will focus on strategic communications and campaigns across the region. The practice will be led by President of SKDK Political Pia Carusone and Executive Vice President Alex Bloom, two strategists with deep experience in New England.
SKDK’s expansion into New England is a natural extension of the firm’s work in the region. SKDK and its sister agency Sloane & Company have built an extensive portfolio of New England engagements, including work with Steward Health Care, Gillette, Panera Bread, Hartford HealthCare, and National Grid. Over the past two election cycles, the team advised the winning campaigns of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH), Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin, and more.
Under the direction of Carusone and Bloom, the firm will offer best-in-class strategic communications and advertising support to campaigns and businesses across the region. SKDK provides a range of services for clients, including message development, crisis management, PR and opinion research, digital and social media content creation, creative design, and ad production and media placement. Our sister firm, Blue Wall Mail, is the direct mail team that led President Joe Biden’s 2020 mail strategy.
In 2022, SKDK produced nearly 600 ads and were the lead makers and strategists to Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the NAACP, Climate Power and host of other candidates and organizations. The Observer named SKDK one of the top PR firms in both 2022 and 2023, citing its continued stream of top rate talent, work advocating for President Biden’s climate agenda; representing more than 1,000 victims of the Boy Scouts seeking justice for alleged abuse; and partnering with New Yorkers United for Justice to reduce incarceration and racial justice in the parole system.
“SKDK is proud to be at the center of the biggest issues facing our country – from electing Joe Biden to the White House, to fighting for reproductive rights, to protecting the environment,” said Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK. “We succeed by focusing on what works – smart, sharp messaging and a tenacious approach to media campaigns. We’re excited to be expanding our national work with a dedicated practice in New England.”
A 15-year veteran of campaign and branding leadership, Carusone oversees the day-to-day management of the firm’s political department. She most recently led U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s reelection victory in 2022 as the lead strategist and ad maker, after first leading in the 2020 special election win. In New Hampshire, where her roots in politics began with Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, Carusone led Congressman Chris Pappas’ 2018 and 2022 wins in New England’s most competitive district. Carusone’s campaign work also includes guiding Ritchie Torres to victory in NY-15, defeating a powerful anti-choice, anti-equality opponent. Previously, she served as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration, following her tenure in communications positions in Congress.
“In today’s fast-paced news cycle, it’s important to have an experienced team that can help you navigate the media landscape so that your message and campaigns are reaching the right people,” said Pia Carusone, Managing Director and President of SKDK Political. “SKDK knows how to help candidates and businesses break through the noise at every level – national, state, and local – and we’re looking forward to working with New England institutions, foundations, and campaigns to succeed.”
Bloom, who has worked on multiple Massachusetts campaigns and as a former newspaper reporter, brings more than a decade of communications experience to the New England practice. In six years with SKDK, he has directed high-impact campaigns and outreach for clients including Columbia Business School, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Open Society Foundations. He previously advised Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s campaign in 2020 and worked on campaigns for Attorney General candidate Warren Tolman and Congresswoman Katherine Clark. Before joining SKDK, Bloom spent three years with O’Neill and Associates, where he worked with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589, Stonehill College, and HarborOne Bank, among others. He started his career as a reporter, writing for The Enterprise, The Eagle-Tribune, and The Arizona Republic. Bloom is a Somerville resident and a Tufts University graduate.
“With a track record of success nationally and in the region, SKDK has experience leading campaigns to victory and guiding companies to meet their goals,” said Executive Vice President Alex Bloom. “New England is home to the world’s most advanced businesses, forward-thinking foundations, leading universities, and best hospitals and medical centers, and we are looking forward to helping them tell their stories.”
About SKDK
SKDK is a top national communications and political consulting firm that brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate for an issue, or win an election.
In 2022, SKDK served as strategists and admakers for winning campaigns including Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Laura Kelly of Kansas, and Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut – and in 2020, was a key adviser to the historic Biden-Harris campaign. SKDK has won the Holmes Report’s influential North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year multiple times and was listed by the Observer as one of the best public relations firms in America for 2023. To learn more about SKDK, visit our website at www.skdknick.com.
SKDK is a proud member of Stagwell, a digital-first global marketing network that delivers scalable, seamless solutions through a unique combination of culture-moving creativity and leading-edge technology.
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