WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hill+Knowlton Strategies today announced Scott Reed, a top Republican political strategist and former executive director of the Republican National Committee, will join the firm as a senior advisor effective Dec. 1, 2016.
Known as a veteran political organizer and expert campaign manager, Reed oversees the federal voter educational program at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. His tenure at the Chamber includes designing and implementing strategic communications campaigns with a focus on highlighting the benefits and importance of a free enterprise system leading up to the 2014 and 2016 elections. Reed will continue in this role while he works with H+K.
“Scott’s outstanding political instincts coupled with his keen eye for strategic communications naturally make him a key asset for the companies we serve at a time when the political landscape is rapidly changing,” said Jack Martin, global executive chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. “We look forward to having Scott on board to advise our clients and enhance our public affairs insight.”
Reed’s extensive career in U.S. politics includes serving as campaign manager of Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign while overseeing the planning of the Republican National Convention in San Diego and directing the selection of Jack Kemp as vice presidential nominee. During his time as the chief operating officer of the Republican National Committee, Reed worked with a Republican-controlled House and Senate to implement state-level efforts that resulted in the election of 32 Republican governors. Prior to his role with the RNC, Reed served as chief of staff to Secretary Jack Kemp at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Bush administration.
“These are challenging times during such a transition of power in Washington, and I am looking forward to joining a world class team at H+K. With Trump’s new team, you are either at the table or on the menu, and this team of counselors is prepared to assist organizations who are hoping to take a seat,” Reed said.
Named as a “Politico 50” by Politico Magazine, Reed has also been featured as “Power Player of the Week” by Fox News Sunday. In addition to his role as trusted advisor to GOP members and governors, Reed frequently provides expert political commentary to top-tier media including World News Tonight (ABC), Meet the Press (NBC), 60 Minutes and Face the Nation (CBS), Washington Journal (C-Span), The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and USA Today.
Reed’s addition to the firm further deepens the political and public affairs bench strength in Washington and across the U.S. Reed will join several former Republican political operatives including Howard Opinsky, who previously was press secretary to Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign and a communication strategist at the National Senatorial Campaign Committee; James Fuller, chief of staff during the Bush administration at TSA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and long-time senior advisor to U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico; and Alia Faraj-Johnson in Florida, who previously served as former Gov. Jeb Bush’s press secretary and communications director.
Ellen Moran leads the firm’s Washington office and previously served as chief of staff and chief advisor to Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke after serving the Obama administration in 2009 as the White House communications director. Joe Householder, a former journalist, communications director for then-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s reelection campaign in 2002, also recently joined the firm in DC. Veteran H+K strategist and former global vice chairman Mark McKinnon, who has worked for many causes, companies and candidates, including former President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain, Gov. Ann Richards, and Bono, also continues to serve as a senior advisor to the firm. Most recently McKinnon was co-creator, co-executive producer and co-host of Showtime’s real-time documentary series of the 2016 presidential election: “The Circus: The Greatest Political Show on Earth.”
H+K also works closely with Dewey Square Group and Wexler Walker, both of which are H+K companies.
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with more than 80 offices in 50 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group. Learn more at www.hkstrategies.com.
