Former Campaign Press Secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama brings top-level campaign and government experience

Washington, D.C., January 10, 2013 – SKDKnickerbocker, one of the nation’s leading political consulting and strategic communications companies, today announced that Olivia Alair, former campaign press secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama, has joined the firm as a Vice President in the Washington, D.C. office. Alair will work in SKDKnickerbocker’s public affairs and crisis communications practice, serving the strategic communications needs of non-profit, corporate and advocacy clients.

Alair joins SKDKnickerbocker from the campaign trail, where she coordinated and executed the First Lady’s national communications strategy. Previously, Alair served as press secretary for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Secretary Ray LaHood. At DOT, she handled high-level crises, such as Toyota’s unintended acceleration problems and Congress’s partial shut-down of the FAA. In addition, she helped shape Secretary LaHood’s national campaign against distracted driving. During the 2008 campaign, she served as a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign in Ohio. Alair began her career as a press aide to then-Senator Joe Biden.

“Olivia is a creative and gifted communications strategist who helped the American people to see and appreciate the First Lady’s talents during the presidential campaign. We are thrilled that she is joining our team at SKDKnickerbocker to help our clients navigate the media and political landscape in Washington,” said Anita Dunn, Managing Director. “From her work for Michelle Obama, as well as Ray LaHood and Joe Biden, Olivia brings invaluable experience, knowledge, and instincts to our public affairs team.”

In addition, Nina Jenkins will be joining SKDKnickerbocker as a senior associate. Nina comes to the firm after two years as a member of the research department of Obama for America.

Both Alair and Jenkins will join one of the most experienced teams of high-level strategists in the country led by Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, Hilary Rosen, Jill Zuckman, J.B. Poersch, Emily Lenzner, Doug Thornell, Karen Olick, Noralisa Leo, Jim Mulhall and Chris Cooper in Washington, DC; and Josh Isay, Jennifer Cunningham and Stefan Friedman in New York.

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SKDKnickerbocker is one of the top political consulting and strategic communications firms in the nation.

SKDK offers national and international companies, advocacy organizations, associations and non-profits a range of integrated communications services:

• Full-service public affairs/public relations capabilities;
• Crisis communications services;
• Branding and re-positioning counsel;
• Creative paid media and media buying operations;
• Direct Mail strategies.

The company also creates cutting edge television, radio and web advertising and direct mail for the country’s leading election officials and party organizations, including: President Barack Obama, Senators Joe Donnelly, Jay Rockefeller, Mary Landrieu, a host of newly elected members of Congress, including John Delaney (MD-6), NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, CT Governor Dan Malloy, the DSCC, the DCCC, and the DGA.  And their work this year on Majority PAC played an important role in many key, swing US Senate victories.

With offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Albany, SKDKnickerbocker provides a depth of service that is second to none. Our clients range from Fortune 10 companies, the world’s leading politicians to public interest groups and non-profits. Our communications strategists have a unique breadth of experience, a commitment to public service and a track record of success.