RNC Names Sean Spicer Chief Strategist and Communications Director for 2016 Cycle

RNC Names Sean Spicer Chief Strategist and Communications Director for 2016 Cycle
 
WASHINGTON – Today, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus announced that RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer will take on the additional role of Chief Strategist for the 2016 presidential campaign cycle. Spicer, who has served as RNC Communications Director since 2011, will continue to lead the negotiations and implementation of the new presidential primary debate structure. He will coordinate with the network and conservative media partners and serve as a liaison to the Republican candidates and their campaigns.  In addition, he will work with the Counsel’s Office and the Chief of Staff on assisting state parties with delegate selection and planning for state conventions, primaries and caucuses.  He will serve as a liaison to the Republican National Convention staff on messaging opportunities and media strategy.  
 
“Under Sean’s leadership the RNC Communications team has become the gold standard of political communications,” said Chairman Priebus.  "The team has made tremendous advancements in surrogate operations, research, regional media operations, minority media outreach, and film and video. State parties, candidates and activists have come to depend on the resources that RNC Communications provides, and I am thankful that Sean will be here to continue leading the team. His expanded responsibilities reflect the growing role he has played at the party,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

"Sean is an invaluable member of our team and I am glad he is expanding his role to chief strategist,” said RNC Chief of Staff Katie Walsh. “Sean’s leadership on debates, delegates and presidential messaging is instrumental in ensuring that our nominee is in the best possible position to win in 2016."
 
“I am excited to be on board for this historic election cycle,” said Sean Spicer.  “I was proud to work with the Chairman in the 2012 cycle to build our communications operation and to continue that work in 2014 as we implemented the reforms outlined in the Growth and Opportunity Project. Going forward, we will continue to make advancements throughout our department—from our minority press engagement to our research briefings, from our in-house video production to our surrogate operations and Comms College. I also look forward to working with the the team to help ensure a successful primary debate process and a world-class convention."
 
During the 2012 cycle, Sean oversaw significant growth in the RNC’s social media efforts, an upgrade of the party’s television studio, and the creation of an in-house video and production team. In the 2014 cycle, the Communications Department expanded its engagement with minority media outlets, reinstituted a nationwide communications training effort known as the RNC’s “Comms College,” and began to produce more original video content, winning the committee dozens of Pollie and Telly awards. In preparation for the 2016 presidential election, Sean has led the RNC’s effort to improve the presidential primary debate process.