CHICAGO (May 5, 2023) – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, has hired two leading names in Illinois politics, Nick Bustos and Michael Morthland. These additions will strengthen Mercury’s presence and expertise in the Midwest.
Nick Bustos joins Mercury with over a decade of experience in politics, state government, business development, public relations, marketing, and communications. Before joining Mercury, Nick served as a Vice President of Marketing in the agriculture manufacturing industry, where he oversaw marketing, communications, and reputation management. He is known for leveraging out-of-the box, multi-channel marketing strategies to deliver 8-figure revenue growth and elevate his company’s profile to a nationally recognized, well-respected brand.
Prior to working in the private sector, Nick spent several years in state government, working in various capacities for the Illinois Governor and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He has also worked in or advised various political campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.
Michael Morthland joined Mercury’s Illinois office after spending nearly a decade at top levels of Illinois Executive and Legislative Government, serving as Assistant Counsel to the Illinois Speaker of the House of Representatives and Pritzker Administration.
As Assistant Counsel to the speaker, Michael was charged with writing, negotiating and defending bills through the legislative process including on complicated and sensitive subjects of labor, pharmacy benefit managers and prescription drug supply chain, insurance, $15 minimum wage, environment and energy, and transportation and infrastructure. In 2020, Michael joined the Governor Pritzker Administration as Chief of Staff at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. While at IDFPR, Michael composed strategies around building the new adult use cannabis infrastructure, fintech oversight and regulation, communications, and professional regulation. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, Michael joined the Department of Public Health as Deputy Chief of Staff, overseeing efforts around strategic building and communications, government relations, crisis management and communication, medical cannabis, workforce development, strategic procurement, and systems management and construction.
Both Nick and Michael were born, raised and educated in Illinois and understand Midwestern values and politics. They also both come from a long line of public servants, providing first-hand knowledge and experience with how government works, how to make connections, nurture relationships, find solutions to complex problems, and win.
Former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., leads Mercury’s team in Illinois. “Nick Bustos brings not only a deep family background in Midwestern politics, agriculture and business, but also a hands-on knowledge of that trio of key issue areas. Michael Morthland, with his multigenerational roots in Illinois, law and government, brings the practical know-how to solve issues for anyone needing to navigate the complexity of today’s world. Our growing Mercury team stands ready to take on challenges from any direction.”
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. In addition to Illinois, the firm has U.S. offices in Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas and South Carolina. 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, language strategy, global health strategy and change management. As the largest group of communications professionals in the world, our employees provide 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 Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
Contact:
John Gallagher
(212) 681-1380
Mercury-Illinois Adds Top Talent as Former Senator Toi Hutchinson and Zach Koutsky Join Growing Firm
CHICAGO (July 26, 2023) – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced two additions to its growing presence in Chicago and Springfield, Ill., with the additions of former Illinois State Senator and Senior Advisor to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Toi Hutchinson and longtime Democratic strategist and lobbyist Zach Koutsky. Mercury’s expanding roster of top strategists have unparalleled relationships with elected officials and changemakers at all levels, including in Washington, D.C. and throughout the Midwest.
Hutchinson joins Mercury after serving as the first woman President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project. From 2009 to 2019, Hutchinson served as an Illinois State Senator representing the 40th District. During her time in the Senate, Hutchinson championed a variety of causes, including modernizing the state’s tax structure, and notably, legalizing cannabis as an original co-sponsor of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), a law which promotes equity and invests in the communities that suffered through the war on drugs. Hutchinson’s work on the CRTA continues to serve as a model for the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in other states.
“I am thrilled to have former Senator Hutchinson join our Mercury-Illinois team,” said former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Mercury Co-Chair. “Her background as an influential advocate for meaningful causes makes her an expert at navigating difficult situations and a strong ally in Illinois and nationally.”
While in the Senate, Hutchinson also served as the 46th president of the National Conference of State Legislatures where she formed relationships with policymakers across the country. Hutchinson left the Senate in 2019 following the passage of the CRTA to accept an appointment by Gov. Pritzker to serve as the Senior Advisor to the Governor for Cannabis Control.
Koutsky brings to Mercury-Illinois deep roots in organized labor, Democratic politics and government relations. Bustos said, “As an experienced strategist and tactician, Zach Koutsky is another strong addition to our Mercury-Illinois team. With solid relationships in Chicago and Springfield, he will undoubtedly help move the needle for our clients.”
Prior to joining Mercury, Koutsky founded Berteau Consulting, a boutique government relations and political consulting firm based in Chicago with clients in Springfield and City Hall, alongside political clients at the local, state, and federal level. Koutsky previously served as the Legislative and Political Director to a statewide 35,000-member labor union, with stints in state government and senior positions in political campaigns at all levels including State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and both of Barack Obama’s Presidential campaigns. He is a proud graduate of Illinois State University and University of Illinois-Chicago and is raising his three children with his wife in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood.
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. In addition to Illinois, the firm has U.S. offices in Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas and South Carolina. 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, language strategy, global health strategy and change management. As the largest group of communications professionals in the world, our employees provide 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 Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
Contact:
Hannah Knoch
[email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC (July 12, 2023) – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, today announced the addition of Shannon Campagna, who has led global government affairs at large multinational companies, including Mars, Inc. and Safeway. She will be joining former Rep. Cheri Bustos in growing the firm’s Food and Agriculture Policy practice, as well as working across other issue areas.
Shannon served as Head of Federal Government Affairs at Mars, Inc., where she led successful advocacy campaigns on an array of issues including tax, commodities, sustainability, foreign aid, food safety, and trade. She has deep expertise in consumer-packaged goods, food, beverage, retail, supply chain, and agriculture and has had success in financial services, tax, and health policy.
“Shannon’s work with Fortune 500 companies and national and global industry trade associations gives her a unique perspective on broad swaths of the economy, and a particular insight into client service. She understands deeply what heads of DC offices need to best serve their c-suite,” said Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
She also served as the Vice President of Federal Government Relations at Safeway, where she opened and led Safeway’s Washington office, representing the company before the Administration and Congress.
“Shannon’s policy experience and her relationships will make her an indispensable member of our team,” said former Rep. Toby Moffett, Mercury Co-Chair and Partner.
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 U.S. offices in Washington, D.C., New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, and South Carolina. 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, language strategy, global health strategy and change management. As the largest group of communications professionals in the world, our employees provide 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 Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
About Omnicom Group
Omnicom Group Inc. 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 70 countries. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
Contact:
Dan Wilson
[email protected]