News Archives - Page 4 of 15

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) has been named a PRNEWS Top Elite 100 agency for 2023, a prestigious honor which recognizes the firm as one of the leading public relations practices in the country. It is the first time FTP has achieved this distinction.

“As FTP celebrates a decade in business, this recognition from PRNEWS affirms that our integrated approach to public affairs has not only been effective for our clients, but has set a new standard for our industry,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “With the support of our government relations and research teams, FTP’s public affairs professionals combine the best of strategic communications, policy expertise, research and insights, and advocacy experience to lead successful campaigns alongside our clients. As we mark this achievement, we are also firmly focused on the future and making the right moves to put our clients at the forefront of strategic and innovative public affairs campaigns.”

The full Agency Elite Top 100 list for 2023 is available here.

###

About Forbes Tate Partners:

Forbes Tate Partners is a bipartisan, full-service public affairs consultancy specializing in government relations, grassroots advocacy, strategic communications, fundraising, and business development. The firm’s primary areas of specialty are the development and implementation of bipartisan lobbying and advocacy strategies related to tax, health care, natural resource management, trade, energy, telecommunications, outdoor recreation, appropriations, and agriculture. Jeff Forbes and Dan Tate, Jr. founded the firm in 2012.

“What does this mean for me?”

That is the lens constituents use to ask questions about new policy, legislation, or regulations coming out of city and county governments, state capitols, and Washington, D.C. Now more than ever it is imperative laws, rules, and regulations are shared with constituents via a localized, personal connection. And if you don’t answer that question, someone on the other side of the issue will.

So how does an organization position itself for success in making the local connection, particularly as we approach the upcoming elections this fall? While influencers, inside-the-Beltway pundits, and Twitter activists may be the loudest voices, local constituent/voter voices are often the most influential and trusted connection between a policy and its real-world implications. An announcement of additional funds for public health or infrastructure may result in local job growth just as a new tax may impact a company’s investment in a facility or factory. These are stories to tell – through the people who experience them daily.

If anyone is looking to connect with a voter on a particular issue, some key rules of the road are as follows:

Look for existing opportunities

Townhall meetings, in-district office meetings, and campaign events offer unique opportunities for face-to-face discussions with members and candidates in a setting that reinforces the state or district perspective on their issue. You can visit an event with other constituents and collectively ask questions.

It’s easier to share the personal impact of an issue when a member of Congress is in-district and face-to-face. “Research shows face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than those sent by email, and that a physical handshake promotes cooperation and influences negotiation outcomes for the better.”

Personalize the interaction and keep it short

Members of Congress are just as active, if not more, when they are home and want to meet with their constituents – just as candidates want too as well. When meeting, personalize the story and impact. This is not only important in connecting with a policy or regulation but also with the person you may be meeting with. And, with that, keep it short: “94% of the House Chiefs of Staff felt a ‘1-2 page issue summary’ left behind after a meeting is somewhat or very helpful, while only 18% said the same of a ‘5 page or greater length’ document.”

Issue advocacy campaigns should follow suit by shifting more of their communications away from D.C. and capitalizing on in-state or in-district activities allowing for more face-to-face engagement. Being away from D.C. means members of Congress will be spending more time meeting with constituents and local organizations, focusing on local priorities.

Engage local media

When answering the question on how/what a policy means to a voter, connect with local media to help tell the story. Storytelling is critical to bringing a story to life and whether back in their home district or in D.C., members of Congress and their staffs pay close attention to media outlets from their district or state.

Too often local media outlets are overlooked or overshadowed by national outlets like cable news or national publications like the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. Unlike national publications, which tend to be dominated by national figures, local publications look to publish pieces from community leaders, local business leaders, and local elected officials. Local earned media frames an issue or policy from the state and/or district level, giving them greater insights on the impact back home and a sense of the mood and level of support back home.

According to a Knight Foundation report, “public opinion research has shown that local news sources have typically earned more trust than their national counterparts.” In many ways, an op-ed, letter to the editor, or quote or interview given can carry more influence with members and their staffs than a piece by a national pundit. That said, given the consolidation within local and regional media, this job is getting tougher every day, so doing it well, and ensuring you have the team in place with the ability and reach into these outlets, is vital.

The local connection and activation of voters is critical for all levels of elected office. Whether reaching out and meeting in D.C., state capitols, district offices, at a townhall, making a phone call, sending an email or letter, or capturing a video, the personalized story will always be impactful. When you couple in other channels like social and paid digital advertising, email engagement and activation, along with local television through satellite media tours, you can communicate with an ever-growing percentage of key constituencies who will in turn communicate this message to members and their staffs. Now is the time to double down on this strategy, as candidates and elected officials spend time meeting their voters going into the fall.

###

About Forbes Tate Partners:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP), now in its 10th year of business, today announced it has expanded its ranks with the addition of Michael Williams as senior vice president in the firm’s government relations practice and Meg Baglien as vice president on the firm’s public affairs team.

A Capitol Hill veteran, Williams brings years of experience working for Congressional Democrats to FTP. Prior to joining FTP, Williams was legislative director for Congresswoman Lucy McBath, D-Ga., where he managed Congresswoman McBath’s legislative agenda, and was the policy lead on health, labor and employment, as well as tax and trade. Williams also worked in the office of Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and is a graduate of Oglethorpe University and George Washington University.

Meg Baglien brings almost a decade of experience in both the public and private sector to FTP’s public affairs practice. Most recently, Baglien developed and led integrated marketing and communications campaigns for clients at Fortune 500 companies. A Capitol Hill veteran, Baglien previously served as Communications Director for Congressman David Young, R-Iowa and worked in in the office of Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Baglien is a graduate of Northwestern University and is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Georgetown University.

“All three of our firm’s practices – government relations, public affairs, and our research teams — continue to grow at an exceptional rate. We’re especially excited to add Michael to our incredibly strong government relations team and welcome experts like Meg to our public affairs team,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “Our new colleagues offer a fresh perspective and deep experience that will further strengthen our position – regardless of the outcomes of this year’s midterms elections – and help us deliver first-class service to our clients.”

“I look forward to joining some of the best lobbyists in Washington and bringing my knowledge of Capitol Hill to the firm,” said Williams. “FTP continues to drive policy conversations across industries, and I am eager to contribute my expertise in health, labor, employment, tax, and trade to Forbes Tate Partners.”

“FTP’s public affairs team is well-known for delivering impactful and successful campaigns for clients.” said Baglien “I’m excited to bring my political and marketing campaign knowledge to the team and utilize my unique perspective to deliver winning results for our clients.”

FTP also welcomed Jack Polentes as a senior analyst on the research and policy analysis team. Prior to joining the firm, Polentes was a research assistant at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Environmental Change & Security program, and he worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as a Hollings Scholar. Polentes is a graduate of Hobart College and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Metrology and Policy.

Additionally, FTP hired Ilana Blumstein as an analyst on the research and policy analysis team. Prior to joining the firm, Blumstein interned at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck in the government relations department and at the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Legislative Affairs. Blumstein is a graduate of Marist College and George Washington University.

Lastly, FTP hired Mattie Stauss as an analyst on the public affairs team. Prior to joining FTP as an analyst, Stauss interned at FTP over the summer of 2020. Stauss also completed an internship at Seven Letter as a communications intern where she drafted digital communications, press releases, and client memos. Stauss is a graduate of Denison University.

###

About Forbes Tate Partners:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) today announced it has continued its expansion with the addition of Tyler Roberts as a senior vice president and Andi Zucchi and Kelsey Chan as analysts to the public affairs practice at one of Washington’s top performing firms.

A Capitol Hill veteran, Roberts brings with him nearly two decades of legislative and government relations experience. Prior to joining FTP, he was vice president of the health care and critical infrastructure practices at a leading public affairs firm, where he led coalition work for a multitude of clients ranging from pharmaceutical companies to freight rail. Roberts also served as a legislative assistant and lead staff advisor on health, tax, trade, and financial services policy for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and under Congressman Tom Cole’s (R-OK) chairmanship of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Additionally, he was a senior lobbyist for Financial Executives International, a national association of 10,000 financial professionals, where he led advocacy for the association’s private company members. Roberts is a graduate of Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.

“As FTP enters its second decade of operations, we are focused on the future and the talented people who are already thinking about what’s around the corner to position our clients for near and long-term success. We are proud to count Tyler among that group,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “I am confident he will champion our clients’ policy priorities and provide the partnership-based leadership FTP has built its reputation on.”

“This is an exciting moment for the firm, so I’m thrilled to work alongside some of the best minds in D.C. to execute innovative, forward-thinking campaigns for our wide variety of clients,” said Roberts. “As FTP continues to grow, I look forward to combining my experience and expertise with that of a top-tier team to deliver winning results and shape the policy conversation in Washington and in the states.”

FTP also welcomed Andi Zucchi as a senior analyst on the public affairs team. Prior to joining the firm, Zucchi was a fellow at Rational 360 where she developed messaging for clients across a range of industries. She also interned at Habitat for Humanity, crafting a social media strategy. Zucchi is a graduate of Denison University and earned her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Additionally, FTP hired Kelsey Chan as an analyst on the public affairs team. Chan recently completed an internship with the firm before joining full time. Prior to her time at FTP, Chan was a marketing and PR coordinator focused on building a coalition to expand food security. She also interned at a startup called BuildESG. Chan graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences.

###

About Forbes Tate Partners:

Dept. of Commerce and Rep. Hank Johnson Alum Joins FTP’s House Democratic Team 

WASHINGTON – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) today announced the addition of Arthur Sidney as a Senior Vice President on the government affairs team. With a deep understanding of tech, telecom, and competition policy, Sidney is well positioned to help FTP’s growing portfolio of clients across a number of industries. 

“The federal policy and regulatory landscape is constantly evolving. Welcoming policy experts with a robust Capitol Hill background like Arthur’s to our already strong government affairs team ensures we will be equipped to meet today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “His relationships on Capitol Hill – not to mention his tremendous legal and policy insights – will help us continue to deliver high-quality results for our clients.” 

“Arthur Sidney served me with distinction as chief of staff for more than a decade. It’s always gratifying when I see staffers who once worked for me pursue their interests and achieve their goals. Arthur has a wealth of experience, skills, and know-how, and the right temperament to get the job done. Any organization is fortunate to have him on the team. I look forward to seeing him reaching new heights,” said Chairman Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., D-Ga.  

Sidney brings more than two decades of experience in law and public policy. Prior to joining FTP, Sidney was the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)’s Vice President of Public Policy where he engaged on competition, technology, intellectual property, internet, and telecommunications issues and led CCIA’s government affairs outreach regarding “Big Tech” congressional proposals. Sidney also served as Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel and Legislative Director to two senior members of Congress for over 12 years, including Chairman Hank Johnson and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, served as an attorney for the Department of Commerce for nearly 10 years, and has served as an adjunct faculty member in law, business and public policy in nationally recognized law schools and other institutions of higher learning. Sidney is a graduate of Vassar College, Howard University School of Law, and American University’s Washington College of Law.  

“I’m excited to bring my experience in technology policy, international trade, and law to FTP and expand the firm’s work in technology policy,” said Sidney. “This is an exciting time to join FTP and work with some of the best lobbyists in Washington.”  

###

Forbes Tate Partners is a bipartisan, integrated full-service public affairs consultancy specializing in government relations, traditional and digital communications, grassroots advocacy and third-party coordination, insights and polling, coalition management, and business development. FTP can help you develop and deliver winning strategies to communicate and engage your key audiences.

Hire is First Addition to Firm’s Executive Leadership Team Since 2016

WASHINGTON – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) announced today the addition of Robert Mathias as Managing Partner, the first addition to the firm’s executive leadership team since 2016. In his role, Mathias will join Founding Partners Jeff Forbes and Dan Tate in leading the firm into its second decade while driving organizational and professional development. FTP, which went public on the London Stock Exchange as part of the Public Policy Holding Company in December, continues to see tremendous growth year-over-year.

“Since our inception, FTP has been focused on hiring a great team. We are thrilled to bring Rob on board as Dan and I lead and grow our public affairs, lobbying, research, and insights practices,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “Rob’s track record of positioning organizations for long-term success speaks for itself, and we look forward to the contributions he will make in shaping FTP’s future as an integrated business.”

Mathias brings extensive experience in leadership, management and strategic communications, having spent more that 20 years with marketing and communications giant Ogilvy & Mather. While at Ogilvy, Mathias led their flagship Washington, DC office and served as North American CEO for Public Relations, among other leadership roles. Most recently, Mathias was the Chief of External Affairs for the National Park Foundation, overseeing the organization’s government relations, communications, and corporate partnership functions. He has also held appointed positions in the federal government.

“In today’s advocacy environment, a successfully integrated approach to clients’ needs is essential – and FTP has proven itself to be a best-in-class operation,” said Mathias. “I am excited to join the team at this pivotal moment and contribute to the continued success of this changemaking firm.”

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont and a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management. A native-Washingtonian, Mathias has also been inducted into the Public Relations Society of America (DC Chapter) and the PRNews Halls of Fame.

###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) today announced the addition of Shanita Penny as Senior Vice President to its public affairs and cannabis practices. Penny brings extensive experience working as a cannabis professional, small business advocate, and an entrepreneur who has played a crucial role in helping reform cannabis laws and advance equitable policies. She will continue as a Senior Advisor to the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), which represents issue experts and a vast group of stakeholders from regulated industries committed to establishing a responsible and equitable federal regulatory framework for cannabis in the United States.

“I can’t think of a better time to welcome a supply chain expert and small business advocate like Shanita Penny to the Forbes Tate team,” said Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “Her vast knowledge on emerging markets, consumer safety, and competition policy is a boon to our clients as they navigate today’s rapidly changing economic environment. I’m also looking forward to the work she will continue to do on reforming cannabis at the federal level and advancing FTP as a thoughtful leader in this space.”

“I’m excited to be joining Forbes Tate’s accomplished team during an explosion of support for cannabis reform at both the state and federal level,” said Shanita Penny. “As conversations about federal cannabis regulation progress, I’m eager to provide our clients the counsel necessary to successfully navigate this dynamic landscape. I also look forward to broadening the firm’s reach and shaping responsible policies for businesses and consumers alike.”

“The cannabis industry is constantly evolving as more states legalize and more companies enter the space. At FTP, we have worked to help shape what a safe and equitable federal regulatory framework for cannabis will look like,” said FTP Senior Vice President and CPEAR Executive Director Andrew Freedman. “Shanita’s invaluable expertise will greatly aid our efforts in the cannabis space and will also bring unique voices from the business sector into the conversation, expanding Forbes Tate’s reach in the beltway and beyond.”

Before joining FTP, Penny served as President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) where she advocated for social equity policies in the industry, such as increasing diversity, expanding equal access, and promoting economic empowerment in communities most impacted by the war on drugs. She has lobbied on Capitol Hill with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) to help reform federal cannabis laws. She founded a boutique cannabis consultancy, Budding Solutions, to help clients establish and scale compliant, successful cannabis businesses. She also co-founded DocHouse, a craft cannabis cultivator and manufacturer acquired by Ayr Wellness. Penny currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Sensible Markets and on the Advisory Board of Regennabis, and Shoki Beverages.

Shanita Penny is internationally recognized for her prowess in management consulting, having spent over a decade assisting Fortune 500 companies improve business performance. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of Baltimore and Towson University where she was a Wright Global Scholar. She earned her B.S. in Transportation and Logistics Management at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

###

WASHINGTON – Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) announced today the addition of Dr. Christy Gamble as Senior Vice President to lead the firm’s Research and Policy Analysis department. Dr. Gamble brings tremendous experience in strategic policy research to Forbes Tate and has done extensive work on Capitol Hill and across the country to reduce health and economic disparities for marginalized communities.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Gamble’s insights and expertise, and we welcome her to the team,” said FTP Founding Partner Jeff Forbes. “Our research department is an integral part of our team, providing the latest information we and our clients need to successfully advance important policy objectives. She is a strong leader who brings with her the tools needed to provide our clients every advantage possible in a very complicated legislative landscape.”

“I’m looking forward to joining the talented team at Forbes Tate Partners in their Government Relations practice and leading the firm’s Research and Policy Analysis division,” said Dr. Gamble. “Advancing our client’s policy priorities requires creative solutions and an exceptional understanding of the political and policy dynamics impacting not just Capitol Hill and the administration, but also statehouses across the country. That’s why I’m excited to contribute my unique background and experiences to support and amplify the strategic goals of our clients in today’s political environment.”

Prior to joining Forbes Tate Partners, Dr. Gamble served as the Director of Research, Policy, and Practice at HUED, a startup focused on connecting marginalized patients of color to culturally competent medical providers in their communities. Dr. Gamble also worked as the Head of Policy and Strategy for two non-profits aimed at advancing health equity for marginalized communities. She has served as the Democratic Health Counsel for the then Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

She was also selected as a National Minority Quality Forum’s 40 Under 40 Leader in Health, deemed an expert with the Allies for Reaching Community Health Equity Expert Network, and named the Duquesne University School of Law 2016 Recent Graduate of the year. Additionally, Dr. Gamble has written several op-eds that were featured in U.S. News and World Report, ABC News, The Hill, Rewire, and TruthOut.

Dr. Gamble earned her JD from Duquesne University School of Law; she also holds a DrPH in epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and an MPH in epidemiology and biostatistics from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She received a BS in microbiology from North Carolina State University.

###

“Prices are going up and everyone wants someone to blame.”

After much back and forth in 2021, the narrative on inflation in the United States has solidified: rather than being transitory as so many had hoped, rising prices are persistent and becoming increasingly problematic for the U.S. economy. It’s no secret that inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) hit a 40-year high in January, and is likely to continue higher as the Russian invasion of Ukraine wreaks havoc on global commodity prices. The continued rise in inflation appears even more problematic because up until now wage increases haven’t kept up. In fact, inflation outpaced wage growth by 1.7% in 2021.

This naturally spawns a blame game over who’s responsible for this drop in “real” wages. In this day and age, it’s inevitable that someone will point the figure at the business community and larger businesses in particular. Given the firestorm around inflation and real wage growth, it’s easy to lose sight of the massive hiring spree that businesses went on in 2021 and the wage increases that came with it.

In the coming months, there is an opportunity to correct that narrative. When we look at the root causes of inflation, we see a number of different factors working together, including supply chain disruptions, unusually high levels of fiscal stimulus, and unnaturally high consumer demand coming out of the pandemic.

Businesses have devoted time and energy to addressing supply chain disruptions and there are signs that it’s working:

What’s more, the geopolitical calamity in Ukraine has completely rewritten the inflation narrative. Russian aggression has triggered an international response from companies eager to use their brands to exert financial and political pressures. The decision to stop doing business in Russia, to stop taking Russian oil and gas, to cut Russia off from the global financial system, these are actions that companies are swiftly and aggressively putting into place despite the loss of product and profit associated with them. The extreme inflation we now see in energy and commodities will likely slow consumer demand in Europe and the U.S., potentially creating a stagflationary environment companies must further account for. Right now, Americans feel it most acutely at the pump. Gas prices are up 10% this week and are now higher than they’ve ever been before. And yet, 71% of Americans are accepting of higher gas prices if it means banning Russian oil imports.

Longer term, this increase in raw materials has the potential to raise prices on finished goods and services. Companies will continue to let those price hikes eat into profits and stagflation will further hurt their bottom lines. From a narrative perspective, this is where we see base effects kick in. “Base effects” is the term used to explain the importance of the denominator in any year-over-year calculation, like CPI’s 7.5% increase in January of 2022. When the previous year sets a particularly low or high denominator in a year-over-year calculation, those “base effects” impact how low or high the increase appears to be.

Inflation started rising sharply in March and April of 2021. That means the base effects on the year-over-year calculation in CPI would kick in around March or April of 2022 and will persist throughout much of 2022. Prior to the invasion of Ukraine, there was reason to believe inflation would actually slow in 2022, and that is still likely later in the year if Russia pulls back and commodities adjust accordingly. But because of base effects, the appearance of inflation via the top line CPI numbers will also slow. This won’t happen as soon as we’d like but inflationary pressures in energy and food are historically cyclical and therefore less “sticky” than other price hikes.

This poses a potentially meaningful juxtaposition with wages. It’s already true that many sectors did in fact experience real wage growth in 2021:

The labor market remains tight and wage growth is likely to persist in 2022 and beyond:

Wage growth creates upwards inflationary pressure, and is thought of as sticky, because wage increases are usually permanent (though the flurry of signing bonuses currently proliferating the hiring market are unlikely to last forever). Nevertheless, wage growth is good for the American worker and companies can take advantage of the goodwill that comes from paying employees more. The page has already started to turn on real wages in 2022: wage growth outpaced inflation in both December of 2021 and January of 2022, but that story was lost to the alarming top line year-over-year inflation numbers and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. What’s more, wage growth didn’t begin in earnest in 2021 until the second half of the year. There may be several months in the first half of 2022 (again thanks to base effects) when real wages keep pace or even outpace inflation at both one-month and 12-month intervals.

For much of 2021, businesses were an easy scapegoat for inflation. But there are other inputs we will be talking about throughout this year and into the next. As soon as pandemic-related inflation appeared ready to slow down, geopolitical inflation exploded. Through it all, wages continue to rise as base effects start to kick in.

Stacey Rolland
Senior Vice President, Emerging Technologies and Data Policy

On March 3, 2022, Stacey Rolland spoke at the Association for Data and Cyber Governance (ADCG) Spring Conference about recent federal policy developments in emerging technologies, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital assets and what companies can do to advance their policy priorities and stay up to speed on the debates in Washington that impact their businesses and markets.

Watch the entire playback of Stacey’s presentation here.

Stacey-Rolland-ADCG-presentation-March-3-2022_-2 Download

Ready to change Washington?