Politico's Mike Allen reports in Playbook that a former Obama administration senior adviser and public affairs director is joining the Podesta Group, a Washington-based lobbying and public affairs organization. The group was co-founded by John Podesta, chair of the Center for American Progress.
FIRST LOOK: "Kevin Griffis, senior adviser to the chief of staff and former director of public affairs for the Department of Commerce, will join the … Podesta Group March 14 as a principal … Kevin is a creative, battle-tested communicator who has built a roster of press contacts in news bureaus around the world,’ US Ambassador to China and former Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. … [Kevin’s]experience crafting persuasive messages includes serving as communications director for the Democratic Party of Virginia and the state Coordinated Campaign during Tim Kaine’s successful bid for governor. His star rising, Kevin was picked up by the Obama for America campaign, where he was one of the original four early-state communications directors, serving in the hotly contested South Carolina primary. He directed communications for Obama primary campaigns across numerous states and led the development and execution of Barack Obama’s earned-media plan during the general election in the battleground of Virginia, helping deliver the Commonwealth for a Democrat for the first time since 1964. … Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College."