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 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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Posted March 15, 2023
Leadership appointments will support key growth areas; promotions include President of SKDK Political and Managing Director in the Public Affairs practice
Washington, D.C. – SKDK, a nationally recognized public affairs and political consulting firm, today announced promotions to the senior leadership team. The newly elevated senior level staff will focus on overseeing and growing the firm’s public affairs, cause-oriented, and political clients.
“The strength and resilience of SKDK comes from our people and today it is with great pride that I announce senior level promotions,” said CEO Doug Thornell. “In addition to continuing to serve as invaluable support to our clients and the causes we work for, this newly promoted group of strategists will help us forge ahead as the firm continues to grow and scale nationally, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead.”
The senior leadership promotions are as follows:
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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Posted February 2, 2023
Frazier to Serve as Executive Vice President in firm’s New York Public Affairs Practice
New York, NY – Today, SKDK announced Michael Frazier joined SKDK’s Public Affairs practice in New York as an Executive Vice President. Frazier will support corporate, crisis, and advocacy clients, as well as develop business and engage in leadership initiatives at the firm. Frazier brings over two decades of communications expertise to his role at SKDK, spanning journalism, politics, advocacy, and business.
“We are so fortunate to have Michael join the team,” said SKDK CEO, Doug Thornell. “He is among the most accomplished communications professionals in the state of New York and will play a critical role as an adviser to our clients across the non-profit, corporate and advocacy spaces.”
“I am so excited to be part of the next chapter at SKDK, one of the most widely respected public affairs firms in the country,” said Frazier. “I’ve long followed and admired the firm’s work and I’m proud to join this world-class team.”
A former reporter for Newsday and the Associated Press, Frazier spent more than a decade at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, playing a key role in shaping communications around one of the most consequential and hallowed sites in the United States. He also served in a top communications role at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), and in 2020, Frazier served as national spokesperson for Mike Bloomberg’s presidential campaign.
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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