CEO Isay to Pursue Growth Through Acquisitions to Deliver More for
Clients
WASHINGTON – SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK) announced today that it is positioning
itself for growth by naming Josh Isay Chief Executive Officer and promoting
five new partners to its senior management team. The firm also announced its
intention to increase its growth by pursuing acquisitions and talent that will
expand client services in the corporate, non-profit, philanthropic and
political spheres.
The new
partners are Kerri Lyon, Jill Zuckman, Mike Morey, Doug Thornell and Eric
Goldwater.
“This
is going to be an incredibly exciting year for SKDK as we actively pursue
companies to acquire, new talent to come in-house and deliver an even better
and more robust product for our clients,” Isay said. “Rest assured,
that as we grow larger, we will not lose sight of our progressive values and
our commitment to making the country and the world a better place for
all.”
Added Isay:
“SKDK’s ferocious talent is its most important hallmark. We are incredibly
proud of the skills and the diversity that we bring to the table for every
single client and we look forward to continuing to expand our team in the New
Year.”
The new
partners are:
- Kerri Lyon. Kerri helps lead clients in some of our most important subject
matters, including reproductive rights, education and technology. Kerri
has been recognized as one of PR News’ Top Women in PR. A former television
reporter, she is a skilled storyteller and her clients rely on her to execute
large and compelling communications campaigns.
- Jill Zuckman. Jill is a former national political reporter for The Chicago
Tribune and served in the Obama administration as head of public affairs for
the U.S. Department of Transportation. She specializes in crisis
communications, managing some of the most challenging matters on a global
scale, including Americans held hostage or unjustly imprisoned in countries
such as Cuba, Syria, Venezuela, and Iran. For those and other issue advocacy
campaigns, PR News has recognized her as one of its Top Women in PR.
- Mike Morey. Mike Morey came to SKDK in 2012 after serving as the New York
communications director for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. He has
extensive experience in crisis management and war room operations and has led
some of the most intensive communications campaigns in the country, including
the removal of four confederate monuments in New Orleans on behalf of Mayor
Mitch Landrieu, national campaigns to change statutes of limitations for child
sex abuse, and the 10-year commemoration of Hurricane Katrina in 2015. He helps
to lead the firm’s Foundations and Philanthropy practice division and has
worked for a who’s who in the philanthropic sector, including the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg
Initiative, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett
Foundation, and the NoVo Foundation.
- Doug Thornell. Doug has worked at SKDK for nine years and helps lead the
Political Advertising and Consulting division. He has led projects for some of
the firm’s highest-profile clients – including the DNC, the NAACP and the
DCCC. His focus at SKDK is to advise campaigns and help clients tell their
authentic stories across multiple platforms and mediums. Prior to SKDK, Doug
was a top strategist on Capitol Hill for House Democrats, a senior aide at the
DSCC, and traveling press secretary for Governor Howard Dean’s ’04 campaign.
The Maryland native and avid D.C. sports fan was recently named by National
Journal as one of the “50 People Changing the Game in Washington.”
- Eric Goldwater. Eric is SKDK’s CFO and will continue in that role. Eric has served
in a variety of financial leadership roles with companies that include EY,
Microsoft and other high growth technology firms. This experience will continue
to serve SKDK well as it positions itself for the next stage of growth.
About
SKDKnickerbocker:
SKDKnickerbocker
(SKDK) is a top national communications and political consulting firm bringing
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 managing a crisis, protecting a brand,
advocating an issue or winning an election. The influential Holmes Report once
again named SKDK as the North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year in
2019, following wins in 2015, 2016, and 2018. To learn more about SKDK, visit
our website at www.skdknick.com.
—
SKDK is a
proud member of The Stagwell Group, a collaborative group of agencies who are
out to “reinvent the holding company,” according
to the Wall Street Journal. The Stagwell Group portfolio includes more than
a dozen best-in-class, digital-first agencies who are focused on what modern
CMOs need.
Learn more about
Stagwell at www.stagwellgroup.com.