Washington Media Group Announces New Senior Personnel and Online Media Network Acquisition

Washington, DC, 2/25/09 – Washington Media Group (WMG) has announced an expansion of its public affairs practice with the addition of two senior public affairs professionals and the acquisition of the Opinion Leader Network™, an online advertising network optimized for public affairs and advocacy campaigns.

Les Francis joined WMG as a Principal. Previously the Executive Vice President at Goddard Claussen, Francis has served as a former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Executive Director of the DNC, Executive Director of the DCCC, and the manager of dozens of candidate and ballot measure campaigns. Francis has also served as an adjunct faculty member of political communications at George Washington University. Francis will be providing corporate and non-profit clients with strategic counsel and advocacy campaign direction.

John Leary joined WMG as Executive Vice President. Previously a Vice President at Goddard Claussen, Leary has also held senior positions with the American Medical Association, Edison Electric Institute, and DCCC. Leary founded the Opinion Leader Network™, a proprietary national online advertising network optimized specifically for public affairs and advocacy campaigns. With considerable experience in the health care and energy arenas, Leary will be providing clients with strategic counsel and leading WMG’s new media practice.

In announcing these additions, Greg Vistica, the firm’s founder and president, said “As the public policy-making process changes with a new Administration and a new Congress, companies, associations, and not-for profit organizations must be prepared to communicate their positions in more effective ways – in what they say, how they say it and, and the means by which they transmit it.”

He went on to say that “Rather than viewing online communications as an ‘add on’ to more traditional means of advocacy, Washington Media Group puts it at the center of our work for our wide range of clients.”

ABOUT WASHINGTON MEDIA GROUP – Washington Media Group is an independent, privately held firm that provides clients with issue and crisis management, corporate communications, advocacy & image advertising, media relations, and public affairs consulting services. Founded by Greg Vistica, an award winning former investigative journalist, Washington Media Group operates at the nexus of public policy, politics, media, and technology.

Contact Information

John F. Leary

Executive Vice President

Washington Media Group

Contact via E-mail