Archive for “May, 2018”

Former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Kirk Wagar Joins Mercury

Addition of Obama Appointee continues bipartisan firm’s expansion into Asia-Pacific region

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced today the addition of Ambassador Kirk Wagar, who served as Ambassador to Singapore from 2013 to 2017, as Co-Chairman. In his role, Wagar will spearhead continued development of the firm’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Singapore and China are home to an increasingly vital community of businesses and other organizations with global interests, including here in the United States. With Ambassador Wagar’s leadership and wealth of experience in the region, Mercury is proud to expand our unrivaled suite of capabilities to this key geography,” said Mercury co-founder and President Kirill Goncharenko.

The announcement comes on the heels of Mercury’s recent hiring of Eric Branstad, former Senior White House Advisor at the United States Department of Commerce, and chief aide to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Wagar, a Democrat, and Branstad, a Republican, will further the firm’s bipartisan commitment to delivering expertise and measurable business value to clients, both here in the United States and in Asia.

“Joining Mercury is a tremendous opportunity to help the firm establish new and deeper relationships in the most dynamic region in the world,” said Wagar. “I’m thrilled to build upon my time in the Asia Pacific region in this new capacity and look forward to working with my colleagues at Mercury to provide meaningful and strategic guidance into the complex world of public affairs.”

Wagar was the only political Ambassador in Southeast Asia and served at one of the most important business hubs in the world. “Working with the over 4,000 American companies based in Singapore, almost all of whom had regional responsibility, allowed me to have a window into the issues that business has throughout the Asia Pacific region face and the path to solve many of them.”

Ambassador Wagar is currently a Distinguished Fellow of the Atlantic Council, a member of the Board of Directors of the East West Center and serves as Chairman of the Board for A-Star Education Holding and a member of L Catterton Asia Fund’s Strategic Advisory Board.

Prior to his Ambassadorship, Wagar served on the Export-Import Bank Advisory Committee for the 2011 and 2012 terms and served on the Bank’s Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee in 2010. He founded Wagar Law, P.A. in 1998, a commercial litigation firm that focused on complex commercial and insurance matters. Long active in trial lawyer organizations, Wagar has served on the board of governors for the American Association for Justice and on the boards of directors for the Florida Justice Association as well as the Miami-Dade Justice Association. He earned a J.D. at the University of Miami in 1993 and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Roberts Wesleyan College in 1990.

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.

Jodi Hicks Becomes Co-Chair at Mercury

Global, bipartisan firm also adds Laura Parra, Ryan Spencer, and Nikki Ragsac to Sacramento office

Sacramento, CA – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, today announced the addition of Jodi Hicks, a former partner at the lobbying firm DiMare, Brown, Hicks, and Kessler (DBHK). Hicks will become a National Co-Chair of Mercury, joining Co-Chairs Fernando Ferrer and Charlie King in New York City, Joe Garcia in Miami, and Fernando Espuelas, Denny Rehberg and David Vitter in the firm’s Washington, DC office.

In addition to Hicks, Mercury announced the additions of Laura Parra and Ryan Spencer to the firm as Senior Vice Presidents and Nikki Ragsac as Director. All three individuals most recently worked at DBHK.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Jodi Hicks to our team as a National Co-Chair.” said Fabian Núñez, Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the State Assembly. “Jodi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and is truly one of the best advocates in Sacramento working on both sides of the aisle. Jodi and her team are a crucial addition to the firm as we continue to strengthen our bipartisan ranks with exceptional, senior talent in every office around the world.”

Prior to starting DBHK, Hicks was the Vice President of Government Relations at the California Medical Association (CMA). Before her tenure at CMA, she served as the Legislative Director at the California chapter of the National Organization for Women. Hicks has been named to the annual rankings of the most powerful figures in California politics, including Capitol Weekly’s “Top 100” list and CalNewsroom’s list of the “100 Best & Brightest.” Jodi also served on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and the Legislative Committee for Women Empowered Against Violence (WEAVE).

“Laura, Ryan, and Nikki are seasoned government affairs professionals who will significantly expand Mercury’s capacity and services in and around the Capitol,” added Núñez.

Prior to DBHK, Parra served as a lobbyist liaison for the California Latino Capitol Association Foundation and as a legislative aide for then-Assemblymember Ricardo Lara and former Assemblymember Hector De La Torre.

In addition to his role at DBHK, Spencer served as a lobbyist for the California Medical Association and a consultant for Speaker Anthony Rendon and former Speakers John Perez and Toni Atkins.

Ragsac has two decades of Sacramento experience including work at the California Medical Association and the California chapter of the National Organization for Women.

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.

Contact:
Jessica Ng
[email protected]
916-444-1380