DDC Public Affairs

Thank you to DDC field partners across the country for joining yesterday’s Horizons webinar. We’re especially grateful to our panelists — U.S. House of Representatives Chiefs of Staff, Michelle Dorothy and A. Brooke Bennett, and Chelsea Thompson and Justin Giorgio of K2 & Co. — for sharing their time and perspectives, and to Kevin Lawlor and Molly Harp Wiley for leading the conversation. DDC Horizons strengthens partnerships between public affairs practitioners in Washington, DC and throughout the country. These partnerships help us navigate the evolving landscape of policy, advocacy, and communications and deliver for our clients. We’re thrilled to see this community continue to grow and look forward to connecting with you at future events.

Looking for the best of both worlds in your communication strategy? At DDC, we believe organizations shouldn’t have to choose between the personalized attention of a boutique agency and the capabilities of an enterprise-level organization. As a company backed by global resources, we deliver efficiency, expertise, flexibility, and meet our clients’ needs without compromise. See how Elizabeth Gerke, DDC’s Chief of Staff, breaks down how this model can elevate your communications public affairs efforts and why this approach is driving real advocacy and reputation outcomes for stakeholders across industries. https://lnkd.in/eYteQXcM #Communications #PublicAffairs #SmallAgencyBigResults #Strategy #DDCPublicAffairs

We're excited to celebrate six of our incredible colleagues marking work anniversaries this month! A special congratulations to Philip Leeman, who is celebrating 22 years with DDC this July. Reflecting on his time at DDC, Philip shared “I joined DDC the same year that LeBron James was drafted into the NBA. While I can't claim to have had his impact (as the 2nd best player behind MJ), I'm grateful for the impact DDC has had on me both professionally and personally. I've formed many friendships with colleagues and clients, and it's hard to imagine working with people that I enjoy and respect more.”  Thank you to all our colleagues for your dedication and the outstanding value you provide every day. Zachary Fowler: 1 year    Pavithra Srikant: 4 years    Kevin Lawlor: 13 years   Bill Toye: 13 years  Sudha Vijjeswarapu: 17 years   Philip Leeman: 22 years  

Our DDC Public Affairs’ EVP, Terry Neal explores how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is shaping the way organizations communicate, innovate, and stay visible in an AI-powered search world.    This article explores how political and public-sector decisions rely heavily on Generative AI tools, how stakeholders discover information about your organization, protecting brand narrative when AI takes over, and ensuring that your corporate message reaches the right audience.    If you’re not visible – or worse, misunderstood – by these models, you’re already behind. It’s time to explore what GEO can do for you! #PublicAffairs #GenerativeAI #GEO #SEO #Communication #DDCPublicAffairs

Congratulations to our DDC colleagues celebrating their work anniversaries this month! A special shoutout to Stella Kustra, who is marking two years with DDC. Reflecting on her journey, Stella shared: “I’ve had the chance to grow alongside amazing teammates, develop genuine connections, and dive into a variety of dynamic client projects. My time at DDC has been invaluable, and I deeply appreciate all the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained both as an intern and a full-time employee.” Thanks to all our team members for your commitment, expertise, and the incredible work you do to deliver exceptional value to our clients. Cheers! Kendra Mehring: 17 years Shannon Wilks: 13 years Jack Tsai: 11 years Blake Bradford: 9 years Yubo Tsai: 7 years John Masso: 2 years Stella Kustra Kustra: 2 years

Come meet us at the #NABPAC and #PACPals Summer Rooftop Reception today! Chat with our Senior Vice President of Product, Joey Smith, about how our tech helps PACs move the solicitation process online and can be customized to your organization’s needs.

DDC is proud to be a sponsor of the #NABPAC and #PACPals Summer Rooftop Reception tomorrow. Several members of the DDC team will be in attendance, and we hope to see some familiar faces. Let us know if you’re attending in the comments below! #pacs

Whether it’s their 25th year or their 1st, join us in congratulating several of our DDC colleagues who are celebrating work anniversaries in May! When asked about her time at DDC, Emma Winstead said, “The last three years have been filled with so many opportunities to learn from my colleagues, build meaningful friendships, and get experience on some really exciting client campaigns. I’m so grateful for all I have learned at DDC.” Thank you to Emma and all those celebrating work anniversaries for everything you contribute to DDC’s success! ~Sarah A. Feliu: 1 year ~Emma Winstead: 3 years ~Franny Peterson-Sand and Katie Chipps: 4 years each ~Molly Harp Wiley: 9 years ~Aaron Cope: 14 years ~Swapna Swamy: 16 years ~Shannon Manning: 17+ years ~Dan Cordle: 25 years

We are grateful to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and we remember them especially on this day. Their courage and dedication inspire us every day as we work to engage people in the democratic process and ideals they fought for. #MemorialDay #RememberAndHonor #DDCFamily

Great article from Terry Neal, who leads DDC's media relations practice, on why proactive media engagement, while it's not risk-free, is an essential part of managing—and seizing—opportunity in today's communications landscape. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecSGsSbg Media and message training can not only equip "leaders and teams ..to handle tough questions, but to communicate with clarity, purpose, and authenticity—especially when the stakes are high." Nowhere is that kind of consistent communication more valuable than in the Washington, DC market. #RiskManagement #Communications #PublicAffairs #DCMedia