Archive for “April, 2014”

City & State Names Mike McKeon as One of the Most Powerful Players in Albany Politics

Michael McKeon is recognized on City & State’s 2014 Albany Power 100. Among the most powerful government relations experts in Albany, McKeon is tight with bigwigs across the political spectrum. He founded Republicans for Cuomo in 2010, was a senior communications adviser to Rudy Giuliani during his mayoralty and led the Pataki communications staff post-9/11. He continues to enjoy a strong relationship with the governor and has earned his stripes as an adviser and pundit both his colleagues and elected officials listen to closely.

Mike DuHaime: 2014 Campaign Excellence Award for Campaign Strategist of the Year

Mercury is proud to announce that Michael DuHaime has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 Campaign Excellence Award for Campaign Strategist of the Year.

Mike was recognized for his work leading Gov. Chris Christie to a commanding 22-point reelection victory in 2013. Last year’s historic election included winning 57% of women and 51% of the Hispanic vote, in a state that went for President Obama one year earlier by 18 points. Mike was also lead strategist for Gov. Christie’s 2009 election, the first GOP statewide win in New Jersey since 1997 and the largest win for a GOP challenger since 1942.

The award was presented at the 2014 Pollie Awards, hosted by The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), the preeminent organization for political and public affairs professionals.

Mark Baker Joins Mercury in an Of Counsel Role

Washington, D.C. April 4, 2014 — Mercury is pleased to announce seasoned attorney and political advisor Mark Baker has joined the firm in an Of Counsel role. Baker joins Mercury D.C. Co-Chairman Hon. Denny Rehberg, former U.S. Congressman (R-MT) in expanding the firm’s national footprint in the Northwest region.

“Mark is a critical addition to the firm, with impressive experience in both national and Montana politics,” said Hon. Vin Weber, Partner at Mercury. “We are proud of Mercury’s continued success in recruiting top talent as we expand our national network to best serve key regions across the U.S.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Mercury,” Baker said. “The firm is widely respected among Washington’s opinion leaders, and will afford me the opportunity to consult on a variety of industries and issue areas on a dual national-regional scale.”

Mr. Baker, a retired officer for the U.S. Air Force, currently serves as a Managing Partner in the law firm of Anderson, Baker & Swanson, PLLC, located in Helena, Montana. Baker sits on the board of the Mountain States Legal Foundation. For the past 15 years, he has also served in a counsel role to Denny Miller Associates.

Active in Republican politics in Montana and nationally for the past 25 years, Baker serves on the National Finance Committee for the Republican National Congressional Committee. Additionally, Baker served as a member of the National Finance Committee for the Romney for President campaign in 2008 and 2012. He was also chairman of the Montana Delegation to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

At the state level, Baker most recently served as Montana State Finance Chairman. He remains active in civic affairs, serving on the boards of the Montana Taxpayers Association, the Treasure State Resource Industry Association and the Congressional Military Academy Review Board for Congressman Steve Daines (R-MT).

Baker resides in Helena, Montana with his wife, Jennifer, and their youngest daughter, Jaci. They have three other grown children: Danielle Vert, of Hollywood, CA; Sarah Page, of Great Falls, MT; and their son, Gary Vert, of Helena, MT.

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 national presence, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and North Carolina.

Mercury is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

CQ Roll Call: Mark Baker Joins Mercury to Expand Rocky Mountain Presence

In a series of new hires to broaden its influence, Mercury announced Thursday that attorney and Republican political adviser Mark Baker is joining its team.

Baker will serve in an “of counsel” role with Mercury, working with some of the firm’s clients in an effort to expand its presence in the Northwest.

“My understanding of the culture of the Rocky Mountain West is important,” Baker told CQ Roll Call.

For more coverage, visit CQ Roll Call.