Former U.S. Congressman Served Florida’s First Congressional District for Seven Terms

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced today that former United States Congressman Jeff Miller has joined the firm as co-chairman. After 15 years in Congress, Miller brings extensive legislative and policymaking experience to the firm.

“We are proud to welcome Congressman Miller to Mercury,” said Kieran Mahoney, Mercury’s Chief Executive Officer. “With a long tenure on Capitol Hill helping to drive policy in key arenas, the Congressman will be an exceptional resource for clients and leader for the firm.”

While in Congress, Miller served as chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for a total of six years. He also served for eight years on the House Intelligence Committee, and as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

“I am excited to join the Mercury team, and bring my experience and expertise from state and federal politics to help clients across several sectors,” Miller said. “Mercury combines the best of politics, policy, and strategy to deliver results for clients here in DC and around the world.”

Prior to his 15 years in Washington, Miller served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2001, where he was a member of several committees including: Congressional Redistricting, and Rules, Ethics & Elections, and Council for Ready Infrastructure. He was also chairman of the Utilities & Telecommunications Committee.

Most recently, Miller was a Senior Legislative Advisor at McDermott Will & Emery, where he advised clients in the veterans affairs, health care, intelligence, and defense industries.

Miller will be working primarily in Mercury’s Washington, DC and Tampa offices.

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 has offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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:
Vicky Jennings
202-261-4000
[email protected]

Global Bipartisan Firm Welcomes Veteran Communications and Political Strategist

Harrisburg, PA – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, today announced the addition of veteran communications and political strategist Andrea Mead as a Senior Vice President in Pennsylvania.

Mead served in senior roles under President Barack Obama and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, and most recently was a senior member of Governor Tom Wolf’s staff in Harrisburg as Chief of Staff to First Lady Frances Wolf.

“We are excited to welcome Andrea Mead to Mercury,” said Mercury Partner Mike DuHaime. “Andrea brings a wealth of experience in state and federal government, politics and strategic communications, which will be an immense asset to Mercury as we expand our presence in Pennsylvania and continue to build a world-class team of strategists across the globe.”

Mead brings over a decade of experience in government, politics, media relations and strategic communications. Prior to joining the Wolf administration, Mead was a senior official in the Obama administration in Washington. During that time, she held several communications roles, including as a press secretary to Vice President Joe Biden, press secretary to U.S. trade representative Ron Kirk and deputy press secretary to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

“It is an honor to join such an impressive and talented team of operatives from across the country and the world,” Mead said. “After nearly 15 years in the public and political sectors, I am excited for the opportunity to use my background and experience to help Mercury shape strategy and solve problems at the highest level here in Pennsylvania.”

Before her time in Washington, Mead held statewide positions in Pennsylvania and national political campaigns, including as a regional Pennsylvania press secretary for President Obama’s 2008 campaign and a deputy press secretary for Governor Rendell’s reelection campaign in 2006 – both of which resulted landslide victories.

“We are thrilled to add Andrea, with her proven ability and stellar reputation, to our Pennsylvania team,” added Senior Vice President Vince Galko. “Andrea’s extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania’s political landscape will be a tremendous asset for our clients and help us deliver high quality solutions.”

Mead also served in Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s administration as policy director for the state Department of Labor & Industry and Department of Revenue, where she managed teams that were responsible for crafting and advancing Governor Rendell’s legislative priorities.

A Pennsylvania native, Mead holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Temple University and a Master in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

She currently resides in Harrisburg with her husband and four young children.

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 has offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania. 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:
Emily D’Alberto
[email protected]

FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR BARBARA BOXER NAMED CO-CHAIR AT MERCURY

Los Angeles, CA — Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced that former United States Senator from California, Barbara Boxer, has joined the firm in the role of Co-Chair. Boxer‘s history-making, 34-year tenure in Congress spans both the House and the Senate, and prior to that she served as a Marin County Supervisor. She is known as a trailblazer for women, a progressive crusader, and a consensus builder across party lines. Boxer’s addition to Mercury builds on the firm’s bipartisan credentials not only in California, but also nationwide.

“Senator Boxer is a force who has earned respect from both sides of the aisle nationally among her colleagues in the House and Senate and also around the world as a dedicated public servant and model for female leadership in the political sphere,” said Mercury Chief Executive Officer Kieran Mahoney. “Her depth of experience is unparalleled, and we are pleased that the Senator has chosen to join our team.”

Boxer is the first woman Co-Chair at Mercury, and joins many other former policymakers, including fellow Californian and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. In this role, Boxer will collaborate with Mercury staff across the firm’s 22 offices, offering strategic advice and counsel on the issues and the legislative processes she knows so well.

“When I left the Senate, I said I was going to continue to work on the issues that I have always championed,” said Boxer. “These include creating jobs, protecting our environment, fighting for clean energy and high-tech solutions to pressing challenges, providing access to health care for every American, improving our transportation and infrastructure, honoring our children, their families and our service members. As an advisor to Mercury, I will continue my work as an advocate.”

Boxer served four terms as a Senator (1993-2017) and five terms as a member of the House of Representatives (1983-1993). Throughout her tenure, she fought relentlessly to advance policies to protect the environment, mitigate the effects of climate change, fight for women’s equality, and advance the nation’s infrastructure system. Boxer is a proven powerful advocate for families, children, consumers, and the environment.

While in Congress, Boxer held numerous leadership positions. She was chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee from 2007 to 2015, and vice chair of the Select Committee on Ethics. 

“Throughout her career, Senator Boxer crafted policies to help improve our democracy, built on a strong foundation of bipartisan support. Her straightforward approach to the legislative process was decisively effective, and her experience navigating complex issues and garnering widespread support will serve Mercury’s clients tremendously,” said Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez.

Boxer got her start in politics in the late 1960’s while protesting the ongoing conflict in Vietnam.  She worked as a journalist before serving as an aide to U.S. Representative John Burton. Boxer went on to become the first female president of the Marin County Board of Supervisors and later succeeded Burton to represent California’s 6th Congressional district—a role she held from 1983-1993. Boxer’s political savvy would serve her well as she began a career in federal politics when few women sought political office.  

Boxer’s Congressional tenure is also known for many historical firsts as a woman in American politics. Boxer and Senator Dianne Feinstein made history in 1992 when they became the first two women to ever represent a state in the United States Senate. Boxer set a record in 1994 for the most votes ever in a U.S. Senate election and statewide election.  

When Boxer left elected office, ranking eleventh in seniority in the United States Senate, she indicated she was “never going to retire.” Boxer will join the Mercury team effective January 1, 2020. 

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, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

Veteran PR and Public Affairs Consultant Joins the Firm as Senior Vice President

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced today that Jack Deschauer, who has spent decades advising major corporations, trade associations, global policymakers and leaders, has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President. Deschauer will be based in Mercury’s Washington, DC office.

“We are pleased to welcome Jack to the Mercury team,” said Mercury Partner John Lonergan. “Combining decades of experience managing a wide variety of public affairs campaigns and expertise as advisor to corporate, legal, and political leaders around the world, Jack will be a tremendous addition to the firm.”

Previously, Deschauer spent more than seven years at LEVICK Strategic Communications, where he managed the firm’s corporate practice and public affairs campaigns for large U.S. and international companies. Deschauer began his strategic communications career at Qorvis Communications in Washington DC, where he was the first non-founding employee of the firm.

Throughout his career, Deschauer has specialized in crisis communications, managing response campaigns for clients facing front page issues around the world. He has created many public relations campaigns for sovereign nations, including those designed specifically for American audiences. He has also served as a direct advisor to C-suite officers, ambassadors, and world-famous individuals.

“I am thrilled to join the world-class team of brilliant professionals at Mercury.” Deschauer said. “The firm’s reputation for producing results regarding the most high-stakes issues precedes itself and I am proud to join the organization.”

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, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

Contact:

Vicky Jennings
[email protected]

Former CNBC Senior Producer Joins Global Bipartisan Firm

New York, NY – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, today announced the addition of veteran television producer and journalist Shannan Siemens to its New York City office as a Managing Director. Siemens brings a decade and a half of experience producing some of the highest-rated and most-respected news programs on CNBC and the Fox Business Network.

“We are excited to welcome Shannan Siemens to Mercury,” said Mercury Partner Michael McKeon. “Her experience working with some of the leading names in business and financial media will be a major asset to our work as we broaden our financial communications capabilities in New York and nationally. Our clients here in the world’s financial capital and across the country will benefit from her expertise.”

Siemens comes to Mercury after seven years as a senior producer at CNBC. There she drove editorial content and direction for the network’s top news programs, including Squawk on the Street, Squawk Alley, Halftime Report and Closing Bell. Siemens worked closely with Fortune 500 executives and CNBC anchors and reporters on breaking news, corporate and political stories and in-depth executive interviews. She has years of experience covering the world’s largest companies, as well as game-changing startups.

“Navigating some of the most complex, high-stakes business stories has prepared me to take on the challenge of executing effective storytelling from the other side of the spectrum on behalf of corporations,” said Siemens. “I am delighted to join the highly-respected team at Mercury and look forward to helping further their mission and continued success.”

Siemens also helped lead CNBC’s IPO coverage. She has reported on hundreds of IPOs during her career including Uber, Lyft, Pinterest, Slack, Spotify, Levi Strauss, Luckin Coffee, CloudFlare, CrowdStrike, Jumia, Dropbox, Smile DirectClub, Zoom Video and 10X Genomics.

Prior to her tenure at CNBC, Siemens was a producer for the Fox Business Network, where she helped lead the organization’s coverage of the global financial crisis. She began her journalism career at CBS College Sports, interviewing legendary coaches and players and telling some of the most compelling sports stories on television.

Siemens is a graduate of The University of Mississippi. She is a native of Kentucky and currently resides in New York.

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, Illinois, 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:
Hannah Kikano
[email protected]

McCaleb’s range of experience bridges international journalism, law, investigations, reputational recovery and management, and strategic, litigation and crisis communications

Washington, D.C. – Mercury, a leading global, bipartisan public strategy firm, announced today that Ian Christopher McCaleb, whose work as a legal sector advisor and litigation communications specialist has been recognized by Chambers and Partners and Lawdragon, has joined the firm as a Managing Director.

McCaleb is credited with devising a legal sector advisory model that has assisted some of the world’s most prominent law firms, at the executive and management committee levels, address high-stakes internal matters affecting their practices, partner populations and operations.

“Ian’s reputation as a trusted advisor to some of the world’s most influential law firms preceded his arrival at Mercury,” said Kieran Mahoney, Mercury CEO. “His experience as a top-tier television journalist, a senior Department of Justice spokesman and counsel, a U.S. intelligence community advisor, and the chair of a prominent public relations firm’s litigation communications practice make him a formidable addition as a communications strategist for a variety of legal and reputational matters.”

McCaleb’s breadth of knowledge has been accumulated through nearly two decades of experience as a national and international reporter specializing in legal affairs, law enforcement, politics, legislation, terrorism and conflict and the U.S. defense and intelligence establishments. He has worked for premier news outlets including CNN, the Fox News Channel, United Press International, McClatchy Newspapers and Congressional Quarterly. He is also a successful entrepreneur who formed and operated his own consultancy, chaired a major communications firm’s litigation communications practice and helped one of the world’s largest law firms establish its strategic communications offerings.

In the U.S. government, McCaleb served as Senior Spokesman for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice and Senior Counsel to the Division’s Assistant Attorney General, and was a U.S. national intelligence specialist. He honed a unique reputation as a predictive media analysis expert when he was the sole media consultant to the Information Review Task Force (IRTF) – the multi-agency analytical body assembled to assess damage to the U.S. military and federal agencies after the 2010 leak of classified government data to WikiLeaks.org. This work gained him a National Meritorious Service Award in 2011.

McCaleb spent seven years at the Fox News Channel, concluding his tenure as a senior producer covering the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. intelligence community. He joined Fox after three years as the Chief Political Correspondent for CNN.com, where he covered the 2000 presidential election. In this position, he also led all of CNN.com’s Washington-based coverage of the 9/11 attacks.

“Mercury has an unrivaled reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after and most respected problem-solvers,” McCaleb said. “All of my previous paths have led me right to this tremendous opportunity. I’m beyond excited to have the privilege of calling Mercury my professional home.”

McCaleb will be based in Mercury’s Washington, DC office, but his work will span Mercury’s entire U.S. operation, and he will also work at regular intervals in London, where he lives part-time.

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, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

Contact:
Vicky Jennings
[email protected]

Former BCW West Coast Public Affairs Lead Joins Firm’s Sacramento Office as Managing Director

Sacramento, CA – Leading global bipartisan public strategy firm Mercury Public Affairs announced the addition of veteran public and government affairs strategist and crisis counselor Steve Burns to the firm’s Sacramento office as a managing director. Burns brings more than two decades of experience working in Fortune 10 companies and advising companies and non-profit organizations on reputation management, regulatory issues and legislative affairs.

“We’re pleased to welcome Steve Burns and his tremendous experience to our dynamic California team,” said Fabian Núñez, Mercury Partner and former Speaker of the California State Assembly. “Steve is well known in Sacramento as a leader in the business community, and he brings invaluable insights and public affairs and crisis experience that will undoubtedly be a great asset to our clients.”

During his time at BCW (formerly Burson-Marsteller), Burns managed public affairs and corporate crises accounts. He worked with a number of companies on a range of public affairs, policy and communications issues, including government engagements, brand protection and stakeholder outreach.

“Companies across the country trust Mercury to represent them in some of the highest-profile, highest-stakes battles, and I am excited to join a team of experts that is widely considered to be the best in the business,” said Burns.

Prior to his time at BCW, Burns worked at Chevron Corporation for 12 years in roles ranging from the company’s first corporate social responsibility and sustainability lead, to primary adviser to the CEO; he also led the company’s community engagement and corporate policy groups. He also managed the California state government affairs office in Sacramento for nearly six years and was named to the “Top 100 Political Power Brokers” list in California three times.

Burns also has nearly a decade of experience with non-governmental organizations, working for the San Francisco-based Asia Foundation as its Trade and Economics Program Officer, and then co-founding and leading the international energy task force of the 22-nation Pacific Economic Cooperation Council.

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:
Micah Grant
[email protected]
916-444-1380