WASHINGTON, DC – Today, SKDK announced Pia Carusone will join the firm as managing director and co-head of the Political Department with Doug Thornell and Oren Shur. A veteran of campaigns and Washington politics, Carusone will be responsible for providing strategic counsel to the firm’s candidate clientele and producing content that shapes the political narrative.
“Pia has an impeccable record of delivering winning results,” said SKDK Partner Doug Thornell. “She is one of the brightest minds in politics. Pia has walked the halls of Congress and spent years winning tough campaigns. Her experience and proven record make her a sought after media consultant and we are excited to have her join our top flight political team.”
Carusone was most recently the lead strategist and ad maker for Senator Mark Kelly, who won the special election to fill Senator John McCain’s seat. Previously she served as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama Administration. Prior to that role, she was the youngest female chief of staff in Congress where she worked in Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office. Following the 2011 shooting that injured Congresswoman Giffords and 12 others and left six dead, Carusone helped to start GIFFORDS, a non-profit to prevent gun violence.
Carusone’s campaign work also includes guiding Ritchie Torres to victory in NY-15, defeating a powerful anti-choice, anti-equality opponent. And in New Hampshire, where her roots in politics began with Howard Dean’s presidential campaign, Carusone helped Congressman Chris Pappas secure his first re-election in New England’s most competitive district.
In 2006, Carusone managed the first campaign of now Congressman John Sarbanes and then joined him on Capitol Hill as his Communications Director. Two years later, Carusone managed the toughest house incumbent re-election in the country that resulted in an unlikely victory in New Hampshire’s first Congressional District.
“I’m thrilled to be joining SKDK and gettin the chance to work alongside such a talented – and winning – team,” said Carusone.
About SKDKnickerbocker
SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK) is a top national communications and political consulting firm bringing unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support to managing a crisis, protecting a brand, advocating an issue or winning an election.
In 2020, SKDK was a key advisor to the Biden for President campaign and helped to make history by electing Joe Biden as President of The United States and Kamala Harris, the nation’s first Black, Asian-American and first woman, as Vice President. The influential Holmes Report once again named SKDK as the North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year in 2019, following wins in 2015, 2016, and 2018. To learn more about SKDK, visit our website at www.skdknick.com.SKDK is a proud member of The Stagwell Group, a collaborative group of agencies who are out to “reinvent the holding company,” according to the Wall Street Journal. The Stagwell Group portfolio includes more than a dozen best-in-class, digital-first agencies who are focused on what modern CMOs need. Learn more about Stagwell at www.stagwellgroup.com.