Mercury’s Mananging Director Erin Pelton speaks to Al Jazeera Arabic’s Mahmoud El Hamalawy about the U.S. State Department’s objections to a speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abas at the United Nations where he called for a “firm timetable” for an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian lands. Erin is the former Director of Communications and Spokesperson to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations under Ambassadors Susan E. Rice and Samantha Power.
Mercury, a leading national, bipartisan public strategy firm, announces the addition of seasoned lobbyist Conor Fennessy to the firm’s New Jersey team. Fennessy, who most recently served as a Vice President of Government Affairs for the New Jersey Apartment Association, will join Mercury as a Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and work out of the firm’s new office in Trenton, New Jersey.
“The addition of Conor brings incredible talent and expertise to our growing team,” said Michael DuHaime, partner at Mercury. “Conor comes to Mercury with decades of experience in politics and government, and he is well respected in Trenton circles. He has a deep understanding of the New Jersey political landscape and will be an invaluable asset for our clients who are looking to effectively navigate state government.”
“I am thrilled to join the talented team here at Mercury,” said Conor Fennessy. “Throughout my years in government and politics, I have worked with industry trade groups and elected officials at every level on issues ranging from grassroots organizing to public affairs and government relations. I look forward to bringing that experience to the clients we serve here at Mercury.”
Fennessy worked for ten years as the head of legislative, policy and political affairs for the New Jersey Apartment Association, a major New Jersey real estate trade association. Prior to the New Jersey Apartment Association, Fennessy worked in politics and government for over a decade. Fennessy began his career as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill. Since returning to New Jersey in 1997, he has served under Governors Christine Todd Whitman and Donald DiFrancesco. He also worked in the Majority Office for the New Jersey General Assembly and in the Office of the Senate President under two Senate Presidents.
“Conor’s extensive political and government affairs experience will be instrumental in accomplishing our clients’ objectives,” said Michael Soliman, managing director at Mercury. “Conor will effectively guide clients through complex issues and establish positive relationships with key influencers in order to achieve successful outcomes. We are excited to have him on our team.”
Fennessy regularly testifies before the New Jersey State Legislature on a cross-section of issues, with special emphasis on housing, land use and economic development policy. He served on the Governor’s Housing Policy Task Force from 2007 to 2008, and is recognized as an expert on housing issues in the State of New Jersey.
Additionally, Fennessy participates on various panel discussions hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, NJ State League of Municipalities, New Jersey Future, American Planning Association – NJ Chapter, NJ State Bar Association, International Council of Shopping Centers, and the NJ Attorney General’s Office, Division on Civil Rights.
A veteran of numerous political campaigns, Fennessy has served in senior staff capacities in US House, US Senate, NJ State Senate, and NJ General Assembly races. He has also taught political fundraising techniques and best practices to state and national trade associations.
Fennessy joins a growing Mercury New Jersey practice. Darryl Isherwood, the senior political reporter for the Star-Ledger, the largest daily newspaper in New Jersey, and NJ.com, the state’s largest and most-read news-and-information website, joined the New Jersey office this summer.
Mercury, a high-stakes public strategy firm, continues to expand nationwide, most recently through the addition of leading political media consultant Chris Mottola. Mottola oversees all paid media operations for Mercury. Additionally, Erin Pelton, former diplomat and Director of Communications and Spokesperson to the United States Mission to the United Nations under Ambassadors Susan E. Rice and Samantha Power, joined Mercury’s New York City office as a Managing Director, where she serves a dual role on the public affairs and international affairs teams.
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.