Seasoned Republican Strategist & Trump Administration Advisor will launch Mercury Iowa in Des Moines
New York, NY – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of political strategist Eric Branstad as the head of the company’s new office in Des Moines, Iowa. Branstad, who most recently served as Senior White House Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce, joins Mercury as a Managing Director.
“We are pleased to welcome Eric to the Mercury team, and expand our presence in the Midwest,” said Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney. “Eric brings a proven perspective on the current political landscape and deep policy experience across several sectors. He exemplifies the strategic tenacity we have across the firm, and will be an impactful force for us across the region.”
“I am excited to work alongside some of the best and brightest experts in politics, public affairs and strategy,” said Branstad. “Together with Mercury’s winning track record, I look forward to bringing my own expertise to serve clients in Iowa and across the nation.”
Following President Donald Trump’s Inauguration in 2017, Branstad worked as the chief aide for United States Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. He also worked directly with other Department officials and was responsible for special projects as directed by the President, Vice President and other White House agencies. Branstad also served as Liaison to the
Nation’s Governors for the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Prior to his work with the Administration, Branstad held the role of Iowa State Director of the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign, and served as Rules Committee Whip and Floor Whip at the 2016 Republican National Convention. His work on the campaign helped the President win Iowa by the largest margin since Ronald Reagan in 1980. Branstad has a long career in Republican politics in Iowa, dating back to the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign in 2004, as well as earlier work for the state GOP during 2002 midterms.
In addition to his political work, Branstad was a founding partner of a Des Moines-based consulting firm, Matchpoint Strategies, where he specialized in developing public relations campaigns, fundraising programs and earned media initiatives. He got his start in consulting with Lincoln Strategies Group in 2006.
Des Moines marks the second Mercury office opened in 2018, following the company’s newest expansion in Philadelphia. Mercury’s national presence includes offices in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Florida, California, Tennessee and Montana.
About Mercury
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services that includes federal government relations, international affairs, digital influence, public opinion research, media strategy and a bipartisan grassroots mobilization network in all 50 states. Our firm is not just led by top talent — we distinguish ourselves by having senior talent deeply engaged in each project from start to finish, a promise we keep to clients. The firm has an established global presence, with U.S. offices in Washington, DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Tennessee, as well as international offices in London and Mexico City. Mercury is a part of the Omnicom Public Relations Group.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, public health and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group delivers for clients through a relentless focus on talent, continuous pursuit of innovation and a culture steeped in collaboration. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.
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