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. 

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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.