DNC Expands Communications Team for 2016 Cycle
New Additions Will Help Democrats Deliver Their Message Across Multiple Platforms
Washington, DC — Demonstrating its commitment to an aggressive communications strategy across multiple platforms for the 2016 election cycle, the Democratic National Committee today is naming four top-notch operatives to new and expanded roles in its communications department.
Holly Shulman will serve as the new National Press Secretary, Michael Tyler will serve as the Director of African American Media and Regional Press Secretary for the South, Sean Bartlett joins the DNC as Senior Communications Advisor to the Chair and Rob Flaherty will assume the newly created role of Digital Media Director.
These additions are the latest in a series of communications team hires ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Each of these staffers has a wide background that will bring a creative and impressive edge to the department, allowing the team to reach a wider audience and have a bigger impact in delivering the Democratic message.
“I am thrilled to welcome Holly, Michael and Sean to our team, and am excited about Rob’s new role,” DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. “I am thoroughly impressed with the work these individuals have put out in their previous posts, and I am eager for them to bring that energy to the DNC. We are proud of our premier communications team, and I look forward to working with Michael, Holly, Sean and Rob to elect the 45th President of the United States and other Democrats up and down the ticket.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have these folks join an already incredible team,” said DNC Communications Director Mo Elleithee. “Each of these individuals will help us take our message to more people as we make the contrast clear between a Democratic Party that is fighting for the Middle Class and a Republican Party that is working for the elite few. This is just the start of an aggressive expansion of our communications team, and I’m excited to kick things into high gear. Game on!"
Shulman comes to the DNC from the Treasury Department, where she served as the spokesperson for international affairs. During the 2012 general election, she earned a reputation as one of the most aggressive battleground communicators in the party as New Hampshire Communications Director for the Obama-Biden campaign, after serving in the same role for the NH Democratic Party during the GOP primary. She has also served as Press Secretary for the Sierra Club, and as press secretary and communications director on a number of Congressional and statewide races in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. She starts at the DNC on Tuesday, February 10. @HollyShulman
Tyler comes to the DNC from Atlanta where he served as Press Secretary for Michelle Nunn’s campaign for U.S. Senate. In addition to serving as the campaign’s lead spokesperson, he also oversaw an aggressive African American media operation. Before that, Tyler was Director of Communications for the Atlanta City Council, and previously served as a field organizer on the Obama 2008 campaign in Virginia. Tyler graduated from Georgetown University. @michaelwtyler
Bartlett joins the DNC as Senior Communications Advisor to Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Previously, he has worked as a Senior Communications Officer with the UN Foundation, Press Secretary for Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Communications Associate with Hildebrand Tewes during the 2008 election cycle. He holds a Master’s degree from American University’s School of International Service and a Bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University. @seanbartlettDC
Flaherty will start in an expanded role as Digital Media Director after serving as the DNC’s Video Director and Director for Youth Media for the 2014 cycle. In his new role, he’ll be in charge of the DNC’s communication outreach to and use of emerging digital platforms and new forms of content. He came to the DNC from the Terry McAuliffe for Governor campaign where he served in a similar role. He is a graduate of Ithaca College. @Rob_Flaherty
Additional communications team hires will be named in the coming weeks.
