News

Jennifer Granholm Interviews DSG’s Jill Alper on “The War Room”

Democratic strategist Jill Alper joined former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Current TV’s “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm” Thursday night to discuss Presidential debate stand-ins. Watch an excerpt of the program below.

Granholm asks Alper in jest during the interview whether the Obama campaign might have picked Senator John Kerry as Mitt Romney’s stand-in because he’s also a tall, white, rich guy from Massachusetts.

Alper goes on to describe the various strengths of each Presidential candidate’s stand-in. Kerry, Alper observes, “John Kerry is really smart and a really great debater, we all saw that firsthand in 2004, and he knows Mitt Romney” and most importantly “has a very good bedside manner with Barack Obama. They’re very comfortable with one another and that’s a big part of his process.”

Watch “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm” live weeknights at 10 EST / 7 PST on Current TV.

Dewey Square Group to become a Hill+Knowlton Strategies Company

New leadership for H+K’s global public affairs operation is also announced

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was announced today that the Dewey Square Group (DSG) will join forces with Hill+Knowlton Strategies and become a Hill+Knowlton Strategies company. Both firms are within the WPP family of companies, and Dewey Square Group will maintain its own distinct brand and operating independence. The new relationship is expected to bring greater value to both firms’ broad spectrum of clients.

“Over the past two decades, the Dewey Square Group has been an incredibly strong and successful firm, with strategists who are deeply connected at the highest levels in the public and private sectors,” said Jack Martin, global chairman and CEO of H+K Strategies. “DSG’s public affairs expertise is unrivaled, and its relationships span across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to state capitals to the White House. We are confident that this collaboration will bring great success, expanded capabilities and even more creative solutions to our clients with Dewey Square as an H+K company.”

Chuck Campion, chairman of the Dewey Square Group, said his company has been teaming with H+K Strategies on a number of different projects and found there is a natural synergy between the two firms.

“Each firm has expertise that strengthens our combined ability to solve client issues,” Campion said. “This is an exciting chapter in our company’s history and we are ready to take the next step in providing clients everything from creative production to national grassroots strategies.”

Founded in 1993, DSG has offices located in Boston, Washington D.C., Sacramento, Michigan, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Tampa, in addition to its network of grassroots affiliates in every state. As an H+K Strategies company, Dewey Square will continue to operate under its own corporate leadership – with one change designed to benefit both firms: Joe Eyer, director of the Dewey Square Group’s grassroots practice, will become head of H+K’s global public affairs practice.

“Dewey Square has been a pioneer in grassroots advocacy and we’re proud of our reputation for helping businesses, organizations and non-profits benefit from the power and potential of their own advocacy efforts,” said Michael Whouley, CEO of DSG. “By joining with H+K, we look forward to extending the reach of our unique brand throughout the U.S. and the world.”

Since joining DSG in 2005, Eyer has managed dozens of national advocacy campaigns for corporations and non-profit organizations. A veteran of four Democratic presidential campaigns, Joe was an integral part of Al Gore’s political operation, first in the White House and then on his campaign.

“DSG is known for its ability to apply political campaign techniques to meet the challenges of corporate, national advocacy and political clients,” said Dan Bartlett, president and CEO of H+K Strategies U.S. “H+K is a firm believer in the effectiveness of this approach and we are excited about the opportunities that DSG brings to strengthen our growing public affairs practice.”

With Eyer’s appointment, Jason Cohen, a political campaign veteran who has managed many of Dewey Square’s national corporate grassroots campaigns in his 13 years at the firm, will now head the department. Cohen’s previous experience includes work with an early digital political activism firm and an award-winning direct mail agency.

“Dewey Square has always been at the cutting edge of public affairs campaign strategies,” said Minyon Moore, longtime head of the State & Local practice at DSG. “We look forward to scaling our approach with H+K.”

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 83 offices in 46 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, one of the world’s largest communications services groups. For more information, visit the Hill+Knowlton Strategies website at www.hkstrategies.com.

About Dewey Square Group
Founded in 1993 by three of the nation’s leading political strategists, Dewey Square Group is a full service public affairs firm blending expertise in the corporate and political sectors to craft creative strategies and to achieve effective results. An early innovator of on-the-ground, grassroots lobbying, Dewey Square currently operates seven regional offices and works with affiliated firms in all 50 states. For more information, visit the Dewey Square Group website at www.deweysquare.com.

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Dewey Square Group Principal, Minyon Moore, Awarded the National Action Network’s Action & Authority Award for Her Dedication to Fight against Injustices throughout the Country

Dewey Square Group would like to congratulate Minyon Moore for receiving the Action and Authority Award at the National Action Network’s Action and Authority Reception during the CBC Annual Legislative Conference! Minyon has embodied leadership, service and professionalism throughout her extensive career in politics, public service, and governmental affairs. She is a strong advocate for diversity, access, and inclusion.

As a principal at Dewey Square Group she continues to be an instrumental force in politics and public policy, and is considered one of the nation’s top strategic thinkers. Prior to being a principal at Dewey Square Group, Minyon was the CEO of the Democratic National Committee, Assistant to the President of the United States and Director of White House Political Affairs and Director of White House Public Liaison.

Founded by Reverend Al Sharpton, National Action Network (NAN) is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the nation, with chapters around the country. NAN works extensively to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes a standard of decency for all people regardless of race or sex, social justice for all communities, and improvement of race relations. Through the years NAN has served as a megaphone for the voiceless and an advocate for those in need. This past year we have focused heavily on the issues of education and non-violence, particularly in the youth community.

ABC7-Chicago Interviews Isiah Thomas About Chicago Youth Basketball Event

NBA legend Isiah Thomas took some time to talk with ABC7-Chicago about his role in the upcoming Peace Basketball Tournament. Check out the report here.

Just Label It and Farm Aid Partner to Promote Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered (GE) Food

Just Label It is partnering with Farm Aid to promote mandatory federal labeling of genetically engineered (GE) food as one of the key actions at Farm Aid’s annual benefit concert in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Sat., Sept. 22.

“Labeling GE foods is about the rights of both the farmers who grow our crops and all the American families who sit at the dinner table,” said David Bancroft, director, Just Label It. “Farmers should have the right to purchase, plant and save non-GE seeds, and to grow their crops without fear of GE contamination. We are proud to be working with Farm Aid to fight this lack of regulation of GE crops keeping us all in the dark.”

In the HOMEGROWN Village area of Farm Aid 2012, a music and food festival celebrating family farmers, concertgoers will be able to sign Just Label It’s petition urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to mandate labeling of GE foods. Already, more than 1.2 million Americans have signed the petition, the largest number on a food petition in FDA history. Momentum on the issue is gaining nationwide, with more and more Americans telling Washington that they want to know about our food.

“Farm Aid wants eaters to know everything about their food–where it comes from, who grows it and what is in it. Just Label It is an important step towards transparency in our food system that benefits eaters and farmers alike,” said Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director, Farm Aid.

For information about the Farm Aid concert’s GE foods labeling action, visit the “Take Action” page on the Farm Aid website www.farmaid.org, or the Just Label It website at www.justlabel.it.org.

About Farm Aid
Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews headline a Farm Aid concert to bring together a wide variety of musicians, farmers and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on their land. Farm Aid is the longest running benefit concert series in America, raising more than $40 million to help family farmers thrive all over the country while inspiring millions of people to learn about the Good Food Movement.
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