Knapp receives highest AAPC honor for over 40 years of exemplary leadership in political consulting.
Today, the Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) inducted SKDK’s founding partner Bill Knapp into its Hall of Fame. This induction is the highest honor bestowed by the Association in recognition of industry pioneers who have made a significant and lasting mark in political consulting and issue advocacy. The award was presented at the AAPC Hall of Fame & Campaign Excellence Awards Luncheon today as part of their annual Pollie Awards & Conference in Washington, D.C.
Bill Knapp, a veteran political strategist and ad maker, has served as the senior media strategist for six U.S. presidential campaigns and numerous congressional, gubernatorial, and mayoral races. In 1996, Bill led the creative teams for the Clinton-Gore campaign and the DNC. He played a key role in President Obama’s 2008 campaign, producing numerous state-specific and national ads. Additionally, Bill was the lead strategist and ad maker for all three of Mike Bloomberg’s successful New York City mayoral campaigns, his 2020 presidential run, and his nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. Raised in New York City, Bill began his career as a researcher/producer at NBC before venturing into political consulting. He later teamed up with legendary political consultant and documentary filmmaker Bob Squier.
Doug Thornell, CEO of SKDK, remarked, “Bill Knapp’s leadership as a founding partner of our firm, coupled with his strategic prowess and creative genius, have left an indelible mark on our industry. He has set a standard of excellence for admaking and political consulting. Bill’s relentless dedication to excellence has shaped not only countless successful political campaigns but also the professional careers of those who have had the privilege of knowing and working with him. The entire team at SKDK is so proud of Bill for this well-deserved recognition by the AAPC and can’t thank him enough for all of the contributions he’s made to this firm and everyone in it.”
About SKDK
SKDK is a top national public affairs and political consulting firm that brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, labor unions, 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 advisors 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.
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