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Mercury Welcomes National Executive Leader Peter R. Villegas as Co-Chairman

LOS ANGELES, CA – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm announced the addition of Coca-Cola Company executive Peter R. Villegas as Co- Chairman to the Los Angeles office. After an extensive and successful career in corporate America, Villegas brings 27 years of experience as a regional and national corporate leader to Mercury, with expertise in government relations, community relations, corporate responsibility, business strategy and executive management.

“We couldn’t be happier for Peter to join the Mercury family, as we know he will be an invaluable leader to those who work alongside him at the firm, as well as to our clients,” said Mercury Co- Chairman John Ek. “As an executive who has been in management positions for over 15 years, and a renowned public affairs expert with seasoned skills, he will undoubtedly elevate our firm and the work we deliver.”

Villegas joins Mercury after serving as Vice President & Head of Latin Affairs at The Coca-Cola Company, where he acted as a national spokesman responsible for North America for over six years. There he developed and executed local, regional and national strategies that positioned The Coca-Cola Company as a leading corporate citizen in the U.S. Hispanic community, using his solid and well-established relationships with Hispanic and multi-cultural political, business, civic and community leaders across the country. He was also a member of the Coca-Cola North America Executive Leadership Team and the Coca-Cola Social Justice Committee.

“Mercury is incredibly excited to welcome Peter to our growing team in California,” said Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez. “He brings a breadth of knowledge when it comes to effectively engaging Hispanic and multi-cultural communities across the country and crafting strategies that promote thoughtful corporate citizenship. We look forward to integrating him into the team and being able to tap into his expertise to bolster our firm’s work.”

Prior to his tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, Villegas served as the Vice President of the Office of Corporate Responsibility at JP Morgan Chase & Co. with national responsibilities. For over two decades he developed unique approaches that made a lasting economic, environmental and social impact on communities the company served. Villegas started his career as a bank teller, working his way up through various roles in the financial industry.

“I am excited to be a part of a team filled with established public strategists that are unparalleled in their ability to get the job done and deliver for their clients,” said Villegas. “I look forward to providing Mercury with my own expertise and capabilities and producing unmatched results for those that I work with moving forward.”

Currently, Villegas is a Commissioner of the California State Athletic Commission, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, the National Association of Latino Appointed & Elected Officials, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council and is the Chairman of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership.

Villegas was recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as one of the most influential Hispanics in Orange County, Calif., and in 2005, the Orange County Register identified him as one of the top 10 people who will help shape the next 100 years of Orange County. In 2012, he received the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Corporate Advocate of the year award. Villegas is regarded as one of the top Latino executives in corporate America by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and Hispanic Executive Magazine. In both 2019 and 2020, Villegas was recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of the Most Influential Latinos in the country. Villegas was also listed as #20 of the 101 most influential Latinos in corporate America in the Winter 2020 edition of Latino Leaders Magazine.

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, D.C., New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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
John Ek
[email protected]
310-947-6406

Mercury Welcomes Kevin Cabrera as Senior Vice President

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of Kevin Cabrera as a senior vice president in its Florida office. A Florida native, Cabrera brings a wealth of government relations, campaign, and public affairs experience to Mercury’s growing Florida footprint.

“Kevin is an exciting addition to the Florida team,” said Mercury Partner Ashley Walker. “Mercury’s Florida operation is made up of the state’s top strategists across party lines, and Kevin will be an asset to our clients in the nation’s largest swing-state.”

Most recently, Cabrera served as the Florida State Director for Donald J. Trump for President and Republican National Committee, which delivered the battleground state for President Trump and produced extraordinary numbers among minority communities across the Sunshine State. Previously, he represented local governments and corporate clients before legislative, executive, and local branches of Florida government.

“Mercury is top-tier, and I am thrilled to join such a dynamic and talented team. I look forward to utilizing my expertise to provide successful outcomes for our clients,” Cabrera said.

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, D.C., New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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
Danielle Alvarez
[email protected]
786.586.3989

 

Nick Veach, Senior Advisor to the Democratic Attorneys General Association, Joins Mercury as Senior Vice President

WASHINGTON, DC – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm announced the addition of veteran Democratic strategist Nick Veach as Senior Vice President to its Washington, D.C. office. Veach brings years of expertise in political consulting, fundraising and advocacy, having served as the National Finance Director and Senior Advisor at the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) for the 2018 and 2020 election cycles. He has supported the election, re-election and appointment of 25 state attorneys general (AGs). Veach will lead a national platform advising Mercury clients on how best to engage state AGs.

“Nick’s leadership makes him a natural fit for the Mercury family, and we are pleased to welcome him to our team,” said Mercury Partner Vin Weber.

Mercury Co-Chair Toby Moffett said, “Nick has created a track record of success at DAGA, and he will bring key insights from that experience to our clients who increasingly understand the important role that attorneys general play in protecting consumers, promoting competition and shaping public policy.”

Veach, an accomplished fundraiser and political operative with over a decade of experience working for a wide range of Democratic candidates, advocacy organizations, political organizations and committees, joins Mercury following his role as president of the Veach Group, LLC, a political consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. In addition to his current role as senior adviser to DAGA, Veach works with major advocacy groups and campaigns focused on reducing gun violence, voter integrity and criminal justice reform.

In his role as DAGA’s National Finance Director, Veach led the organization’s finance operations where he expanded the finance team, added new revenue lines and bolstered existing funding streams, taking the committee from $7 million per year to over $16 million per year and growing.

“I am proud to join the expert minds at Mercury who serve a world-class roster of clients both in D.C. and across the nation,” said Veach. “I look forward to leveraging my political expertise, relationships and knowledge of state attorneys general as we enter a new, exciting year in politics.”

Earlier in his career, Nick served on seven campaigns at the city, federal and state levels, including Senator Tammy Baldwin’s 2012 U.S. Senate race, Human Rights Campaign and Equality Votes 2016 Presidential super-PAC, and Congresswoman Betsy Markey’s re-election campaign.

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, D.C., New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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.

Mercury Welcomes Public Policy Strategist Patrick Henning as Managing Director

Sacramento, CA (December 10, 2020) – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of Patrick Henning as a Managing Director to the firm’s Sacramento office. A seasoned public policy strategist and veteran of California government affairs, Henning brings decades of crisis communications and advocacy expertise at the federal, state and municipal levels.

“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick Henning – and his exceptional track record of leadership and success – to the Mercury family,” said Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez. “Patrick has a long history of public service, and his expertise will bolster the word-class solutions we provide for our clients in California and beyond. His knowledge and firsthand experience in the inner workings of California government and politics make him a natural fit and a valuable addition to Mercury’s California team.”

Henning joins Mercury after serving as Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), California’s leading trade association advocating for and supporting the life sciences sector. In this role, Henning led CLSA’s integrated government relations, advocacy, policy, communications, and political operations at the federal, state, and local levels.

“Mercury’s Sacramento office looks forward to working with Patrick, whose skills and capabilities make him a proud addition to our growing team,” Mercury Partner Duncan McFetridge said. “Having served in the highest levels of California government, Patrick’s capabilities, relationships, and expertise will allow us to elevate our work and provide increased value to our great team of experts and clients.”

Prior to his work at CLSA, Henning served in the administrations of the last four Governors of California and was the Director of the California Employment Development Department and served as Chief Deputy Appointments Secretary for California Governor Jerry Brown. Previously, Henning worked as the Legislative Advocate at the California State Council of Laborers (LiUNA) and was appointed by the California Governor as Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, an agency he helped create. Prior to that, Henning was appointed Deputy Director for Legislation at the California Department of Industrial Relations.

Before his work in California, Henning worked in Washington, D.C as Congressional Liaison and Special Advisor to President Bill Clinton and Legislative Assistant to Congressman Vic Fazio.

Henning recently served as the elected Secretary for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. He was also a Governor appointed member of the California Workforce Development Board, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (Prop. 63), and the California Career Technical Education Standards and Framework Advisory Group. Henning also served as the Chairman of the West Sacramento Economic Development Advisory Committee. Henning joins Mercury’s California presence alongside firm Co-Chairs former Senator Barbara Boxer and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“I am delighted to join Mercury’s incredible team in California, as well as the firm’s roster of renowned experts nationwide,” said Patrick Henning. “I look forward to bringing my years of problem-solving at the highest levels of government and business to the exciting clients at Mercury.”

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, D.C., New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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
Duncan McFetridge
[email protected]
916-717-4950

Hon. Toby Moffett, Leading Democratic Strategist, Joins Mercury as Co-Chairman

Former Congressman brings expertise in government relations, international affairs, and business strategy to Washington, DC office

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of former United States Representative Toby Moffett as co-chairman to its Washington, D.C. office. Moffett joins Mercury after an extensive career in the government and the private sectors, including six years as the leading Democratic government affairs professional at the global law firm Mayer Brown, as well as serving as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources and a top executive at The Monsanto Company.

“We are excited to welcome Congressman Moffett, whose track record of leadership, strategic prowess and business acumen make him a proud addition to our team,” said Mercury Partner Vin Weber. “Not only has the Congressman driven policy changes at the highest levels of government, he has worked to grow and strengthen relationships for American and international entities around the globe. We look forward to working with him and to bringing our clients his expertise during this critical year in our history.”

During his career at Mayer Brown, Moffett led the global law firm’s interaction with government leaders both in the U.S. and abroad, having co-founded and co-chaired the firm’s global Africa practice. He led the creation of Mayer Brown partnerships with law firms across the continent and was responsible for creating the firm’s presence in Casablanca, Morocco. Prior to his Mayer Brown tenure, Moffett was the founder and chairman of The Moffett Group, an advocacy firm representing clients in the private and NGO sectors. In his previous role as vice president for global external affairs at The Monsanto Company, Moffett developed innovative partnerships with organizations representing low-income farmers across the globe.

In his four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Moffett served as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, where he oversaw national investigations into Clean Air Act violations, groundwater contamination and nuclear power plant safety.

“I am thrilled to join the Mercury team of world-class experts working to produce results at the highest levels,” said Moffett. “I look forward to leveraging my experiences from the political, global and business arenas to provide exciting, new clients with the solutions they need.”

Moffett is an active Democratic Party strategist, serving as pro-bono adviser to Congresswoman Madeleine Dean in her role as regional vice-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s races in the northeast U.S. He is deeply involved with re-election campaigns of House freshmen and is a senior adviser to Cal Cunningham, the U.S. Senate candidate in North Carolina.

In addition, Moffett and Abigail Omojola co-host the online discussion show, November 4, where they encourage audiences to not only think about rebuilding America after the election but about “re-imagining” the country. Past guests on the show include prominent members of Congress and other legislative bodies and grassroots advocates on climate, immigration, universal health care, racial justice and other important issues.

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, D.C., New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Montana, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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:
Katya Myagkova
[email protected]
202-261-4000

Nina Turner Launches National Public Affairs Firm To Advance Progressive Issues

Nina Turner, former Ohio State Senator and Co-Chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, announced today she has launched a new firm designed to bring a progressive voice to America’s public affairs arena. Turner’s new firm, Amare Public Affairs, will work with anyone, and everyone, interested in advancing the progressive ideals and issues Turner has fought for and championed her entire career.

“This moment in American history demands that progressive voices play a central role in the national conversation around a whole range of issues,” Turner said. “The future is now. For too long, the voices of Black people, other people of color, women, and progressives were left out of that conversation, and our country has suffered as a result. We are living in a time when people, especially millennials and Generation Z, are demanding socially-conscious solutions from governments and corporations. We can build a better country and a more just society by engaging with each other in a meaningful way on the root causes of societal problems. That starts with ensuring our voice is heard from the streets of our forgotten cities to the roads of rural communities to Main Street America, and finally, to the halls of power in the public and private sectors.”

Through a lens of economic fairness based upon human rights, Amare offers:

  • High-level communications strategy and crisis management
  • Omni-partisan coalition-building and third-party stakeholder management
  • Grassroots, community and faith-based engagement
  • Campaign strategy, including but not limited to political, corporate and non-profit
  • Specialty in socially conscious diversity and inclusion initiatives
  • Influencer strategy and engagement on their social justice priorities
  • Paid communication services (direct mail, digital services and media services)

These services, and more, will help entities and individuals tap into the socially conscious future happening right now.

“As companies and foundations across the country look for ways to embrace the changing environment in America, Amare will help them ensure they do it right and with trusted partners with real ties to people of color in communities across the country,” Turner said. “I hear from many people that they want to invest in our communities and get it right. Amare is here to help them do just that.”

A former professor of African American history, Turner has dedicated her career to championing progressive causes and policies across the country, and has done so most recently as the national Co-Chair for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. In 2016, she served as a national surrogate for his presidential campaign. As a native Clevelander, her career in politics began in Ohio in 2006 when she was elected to the Cleveland City Council. She went on to serve her constituents as a state senator from 2008 to 2014.

As one of the nation’s leading political strategists, Turner often appears on cable news as a commentator to give voice to progressive ideas and ensure they are woven into every political, societal and economic discussion.

Turner is launching her firm with support from partners at Mercury Public Affairs.

“If not now, when, and if not Nina Turner, who?” said Charlie King, a partner at Mercury. “We are investing in Amare Public Affairs not just because we believe in Nina, but because we believe that she brings a necessary presence and perspective to the conversations Americans are having daily. Nina has star power and is a change maker who gets things done, while ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. This is her moment, but we know it’s just the beginning. We look forward to her success and partnering with her whenever we can.”

Ashley Walker, a Mercury Partner, said, “Women generally and women of color especially are beginning to take their rightful place at decision-making tables in board rooms and campaign headquarters across America. Nina Turner brings a voice that has for far too long been underrepresented and a strategic firepower that more than justifies her place at the table.”

Fabian Nunez, a Mercury Partner, said, “Nina Turner is a national leader who can help build better understanding between all segments of our society. Her work as a state senator, her leadership on the Sanders campaign and her advocacy for progressive causes demonstrate she has the skills needed to bring people together. Mercury is honored to help Nina launch her business and know she will bring tremendous value to all who work with her.”

For more information, visit www.amarepublicaffairs.com.

Mercury Names Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D-CA) and Former U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) Partners

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former U.S. Senator David Vitter to the firm’s growing partnership. Villaraigosa and Vitter, who joined Mercury’s Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices in 2018 and 2017, respectively, after decades of service at the highest levels of government, will continue leading the firm’s rapid growth across the national public strategy, government relations and strategic communication sectors.

“Antonio and David represent the best of Mercury culture – a relentless obsession with delivering measurable outcomes and success for our clients, while focusing on collaboration and mentoring with colleagues,” said Kieran Mahoney, Mercury’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Antonio Villaraigosa is one of the prominent and respected leaders in California politics, and he has deeply impacted our firm since joining two years ago,” said Hon. Fabian Núñez, partner at Mercury. “Antonio’s unmatched experience building bipartisan coalitions at the intersection of labor, government and business has made him an essential member of our firm and a trusted advisor to our clients. With his leadership, Mercury will continue to provide value to our clients and grow our footprint in California and around the globe.”

“We are excited to welcome David Vitter into Mercury’s partnership,” said Mike DuHaime, partner at Mercury. “David Vitter is a distinguished public servant with decades of experience driving landmark legislation in Congress and fighting some of the most important policy battles across the Gulf South. He has become one of the nation’s top government relations strategists, and his strong leadership will continue to propel our firm forward.”

Villaraigosa has served as Co-Chair in Mercury’s Los Angeles office since 2018, where he has spearheaded developing the office’s strategic communications and crisis communications consulting practices. A veteran local public official who served two terms as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013, Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2000, and Democratic Majority Leader of the California State Assembly from 1996 to 1998, Villaraigosa is a respected voice in American politics and a prominent policymaker with a keen understanding of America’s mainstream and emerging communities.

Prior to his election as mayor, Villaraigosa served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 2003 to 2005. From 1994 through 2000, he served in the California State Assembly as Democratic Whip, Majority Leader and Speaker of the Assembly. Antonio was a member of President Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board, the 2012 Chairman of the Democratic National Convention and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Villaraigosa has served in academia, as a fellow at Harvard University and a professor in public policy at the University of Southern California. He was also a senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has worked in the private sector as a senior advisor with Banc of California and served on the McGraw-Hill Global Education board of directors.

Vitter has served as Co-Chairman of Mercury in Washington, D.C since 2017, where he has focused on strategic government relations and led the development of Mercury’s Gulf South operations. A veteran legislator, Vitter served two consecutive terms as a United States Senator for Louisiana from 2005-2017 and represented the 1st District of Louisiana in the U.S. House prior to his years in the Senate. Throughout his 17 years serving both houses of Congress, Vitter earned a reputation as a strong conservative voice for reform, working to curb excessive power and overreach in Washington.

Vitter served as the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, helping to craft and pass major legislation including: the landmark Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act; the Water Resources Reform and Development Act; and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. Vitter also served as a member of the Republican Whip Team, Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and as a leading member of the Banking Committee. He gained vast experience in many areas of public policy through his leading role in Hurricane Katrina response and recovery.

About Mercury
Mercury is a high-stakes, bipartisan public strategy firm. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of 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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) 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:
Katya Myagkova
[email protected]

Top Democratic Strategist, Obama Administration Official Clay Middleton joins Mercury

Decorated veteran and former aide to House Majority Whip James Clyburn most recently served as senior advisor to Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential campaign

Washington D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced the addition of top Democratic strategist Clay Middleton as a senior vice president in its Washington and South Carolina offices. A decorated veteran who served at both the White House and Department of Energy during the Obama administration, Middleton brings decades of high-level government, military and political experience at the federal, state and municipal levels.

“I’m excited to welcome Clay Middleton to the Mercury family. Clay is not only one of the top Democratic strategists in the country, but also a decorated veteran who served in combat and continues to wear the uniform with distinction,” Mercury Partner Modia “Mo” Butler said. “Mercury prides itself on attracting the best and brightest in our industry, and Clay definitely fits the bill.”

Middleton joins Mercury after serving as a senior advisor to Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential campaign, where he developed the campaign’s Southern strategy and was a senior political advisor to the campaign’s National Political Department. Prior to his work on the Booker campaign, Middleton spent two years as the Director of Business Services for the City of Charleston, S.C. where he managed business and economic development projects, served as a key liaison with industries and individuals looking to do business with the city, and led operations of the city’s Division of Business and Neighborhood Services to promote public-private initiatives to foster a healthy and sustainable business climate.

Middleton served as both the South Carolina State Director in the Hillary for America campaign, overseeing a multi-million-dollar budget, leading staff and managing relationships with elected officials and other key stakeholders, and Florida Regional Political Director. Prior to his work on that campaign, Middleton served in a number of senior roles at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama administration, including Congressional Affairs Liaison for the National Nuclear Security Administration and special advisor to the Department of Energy’s Office of Congressional, Intergovernmental and External Affairs, and Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

Middleton also served as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Corporation for National and Community Service, where he liaised with the Domestic Policy Council and coordinated across the federal government on developing and executing national strategies. Prior to that, he spent many years as a key aide to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D – S.C.).

Middleton is also a decorated veteran and was recently selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel as part of a two-decade military career for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service, Iraq Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, among other awards and decorations.

“I am very excited to be joining Mercury’s excellent team and collaborating with some of the best minds and most talented experts in the world,” Middleton said. “I’m looking forward to bringing my deep political and strategic experience to the best firm in the industry.”

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, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,300 public relations professionals in more than 370 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. (NYSE: OMC) that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare,

Contact:
Trent Lefkowitz
[email protected]