Seven Letter Expands Nationwide – New Offices and Experts in Los Angeles, New York City, and Huntsville   

Firm’s growth provides clients coast-to-coast advantages and sector-specific strengths, bolsters strategic digital capacities   

  • Seven Letter launches three new offices in LA, NYC, and Huntsville, Alabama   

  • Brandon Shaw, former Comms VP for Disney and Hulu, entertainment industry expert, will be named Seven Letter partner based in LA  

  • Longtime Seven Letter team member Holly Jackson to open Huntsville office serving defense and aerospace sectors  

  • Marley Hambourger adds NYC office and strengthens digital advertising offering   

WASHINGTON, DC – (January 8, 2026) – Seven Letter, an expertise-powered bipartisan strategic communications firm, today announced a major geographic expansion involving the addition of three new offices – Los Angeles, New York, and Huntsville – to bolster its growing nationwide offerings and emerging specialized practices. This development includes the addition of senior-level counselors to open the new offices and support the expansion.   

“Seven Letter isn’t just growing geographically, but strategically,” said Erik Smith, CEO and Founder. “This expansion allows us to be closer to the industries that are driving our growth. We have always emphasized providing senior-level counsel at every step – and now we can do so across more sectors and in more geographies. I’m excited about what’s to come for our clients and our team.”   

Read the full announcement from Seven Letter.

Seven Letter named one of PRWeek’s 2025 Best Places to Work

For the third year in a row, Seven Letter was named one of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. The honorees are selected from a group of nearly 100 agencies and in-house teams to showcase the companies that rise above the pack by committing to their employees’ professional and personal well-being.

From PRWeek:

Seven Letter has earned a reputation for its attention to building a successful, collaborative team. The agency places a high priority on its people. 

“It knows its people are the greatest resource and treats them that way,” explained one staffer. The value leadership places on its workforce is not only felt by employees, it’s also echoed in the way they speak about each other.  

Read the full Seven Letter profile from PRWeek.

Pagefield’s Oliver Foster recognized as one of Mace Magazine’s Top Political Consultants

Oliver Foster, CEO of Pagefield has once again been recognized by Mace Magazine as one of the publication’s Top 100 Political Consultants for 2025/26. Peer-reviewed by top industry pros, the list covers the best advisers at the forefront of influencing politics, policy, and public affairs today.

From Mace Magazine:

Oliver Foster co-founded Pagefield after a decade working inside British and European political institutions, industry trade bodies, and high-profile listed companies. He is an integrated campaigning specialist, with over 20 years’ experience protecting, promoting and rebuilding corporate reputations through a combination of public affairs, public relations and crisis communications.

Read Oliver Foster’s full profile.

TrailRunner International’s Zack Kozlak Highlighted in PRWeek’s 2025 40 Under 40

Zack Kozlak, Head of US at PPHC member company TrailRunner International, has been named to PRWeek’s 2025 40 Under 40 list.

This prestigious recognition celebrates Zack’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding results for clients. It also reflects the high caliber of talent and expertise that defines the TrailRunner International team.

Congratulations to Zack and everyone at TrailRunner on this well-earned honor.

LPA Adds Strategic Communicators to Support Client Growth

Lucas Public Affairs (LPA), a leading California-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, is pleased to welcome three accomplished professionals to its growing team: Julianne Gray, Kimaya Gokhale and Linnea Leidy. Their wide-ranging experience in public policy, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement will enhance the firm’s ability to support clients across California’s policy and political landscape.

“All three of these professionals – Julianne, Kimaya and Linnea – are already having a meaningful impact on our client work,” said Cassandra Walker Pye, President of Lucas Public Affairs. “Each brings fresh perspectives, important connections in and around the Capitol and great energy that adds to our culture. We’re thrilled to have three exceptional colleagues join our already exceptional team.”

Read the full story from Lucas Public Affairs.

LPA Adds Capitol Communications Leader Niesha Fritz as Vice President

SACRAMENTO – With a continued focus on agency growth and enhanced client strategy, Lucas Public Affairs (LPA) announced that Capitol communications leader Niesha Fritz is joining its leadership team as a vice president, a move that further enhances LPA’s success as a top-tier public affairs firm.

Niesha is an effective and proven media and strategic communications expert, with 23 years of professional experience in the journalism and communications field. Niesha most recently served as senior-level staff in the California State Senate for two consecutive Senate leaders, including as director of communications for Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire.
 
In her new role at LPA, Niesha will oversee account teams, lead and manage projects, help guide clients’ communications strategies, and bolster their media presence.

“We are thrilled to welcome Niesha to Team LPA and to leverage her incredible experience to serve our clients,” said Donna Lucas, chief executive officer. “Her public policy chops, familiarity with the process and the players inside and outside the Capitol will further strengthen our ability to win for our clients. She is an exceptional fit for our firm who will undoubtedly contribute greatly to our ongoing success.”

Prior to navigating the complexities of legislative cycles, state budgets, and media related to the state Legislature and California, Niesha worked for the California Faculty Association, where she crafted messaging and media campaigns related to higher education and California State University faculty. Niesha’s deep knowledge of the news media, along with her writing and editing skills, stems from her work for The Sacramento Bee, where she was a reporter for nearly 10 years.

“The media landscape continues to evolve; however, the basics still matter,” said Cassandra Pye, president. “Niesha brings a journalism background, the ability to drive a compelling narrative and phenomenal ties to the Capitol Press Corps – all of which is so important to our work. Niesha is among the best in the business and complements an already strong group of public affairs practitioners. We’re thrilled to add this veteran talent to our dynamic team.”

KP Public Affairs Partner Jon Ross Named Among California’s Top Tech Policy Influencers

We are proud to announce that KP Public Affairs Partner Jon Ross has been recognized by POLITICO as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Players in California Tech.” This prestigious acknowledgment underscores Jon’s pivotal role in shaping the state’s technology policy landscape.​

As partner and leader of KP’s technology practice, Jon has been instrumental in guiding major tech companies through complex legislative and regulatory challenges. His efforts have significantly shaped policies on data privacy, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the broader innovation economy.

Jon’s inclusion in POLITICO’s list highlights his deep expertise in tech policy and commitment to advancing forward-looking policies that support California’s dynamic tech sector.

Read the full article here: POLITICO – Top 20 Most Influential Players in California Tech

Crossroads Strategies Strengthens Offerings with Strategic Hires & Key Promotions

Crossroads Strategies announced today the addition of two new senior vice presidents, Jackson Stuteville and Stephen T. Voljavec, along with a series of promotions that ensure the firm remains well-positioned to advise clients navigating complex political and legislative waters.

Jackson Stuteville, former Congressional Liaison for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, brings a wealth of expertise in defense innovation, federal policy, and Native American advocacy. Stephen T. Voljavec joins from his role as Legislative Director for the Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, where he focused on health, commerce, and appropriations. Together their diverse experience will significantly strengthen Crossroads’ continued ability to deliver impactful solutions to complex problems across key sectors.

The firm has also promoted seven current lobbyists, including elevating five executive vice presidents to the rank of principal. The newly appointed principals – Scott Brenner, Jason Gleason, Brittany Hernandez, Chris Miller, and Marc Numedahl – each bring deep expertise and a strong track record of success across diverse sectors, including defense, trade, energy, health care, and transportation.

Alongside these announcements, Crossroads elevated Salim Alameddin to executive vice president, recognizing his ability to lead clients through critical industry shifts and his deep expertise in energy and technology policy. Additionally, Lauren Chandler has been promoted to vice president, reflecting her valuable contributions to the firm’s success.

“These promotions and new hires reflect not only the individual achievements of our colleagues but also the collective success of our firm,” said Mat Lapinski, CEO of Crossroads. “As we continue to grow and evolve, our talented and tight-knit team remains the cornerstone of our success and the trust our clients place in us every day.”

See the full press release from Crossroads.

Report: Foreign Direct Investment Trends in the UK & US

PPHC is pleased to unveil a new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Report  from our team in London, Pagefield. This report provides valuable insights into the evolving investment landscape in the UK and US, based on a survey of senior business leaders actively engaged in cross-border investments conducted by fellow PPHC member company, Seven Letter.

Key findings highlight that UK businesses are increasingly looking to the Middle East, with investment interest doubling in recent years, while 91% of UK firms remain optimistic about expanding internationally despite economic headwinds. The report also underscores the need for greater government support, with 83% of UK investors calling for stronger trade policies and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

As global investment patterns shift, this report offers crucial insights for businesses and policymakers looking to navigate the evolving FDI landscape and seize emerging opportunities. For more information on winning foreign investment, reach out to the experts Christopher Clark or Josh Lambkin with the Pagefield team here.

PPHC Appoints John Green as Chief Client Officer

Public Policy Holding Company, Inc., the leading government relations and public affairs group providing a comprehensive range of advisory services, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Green as Chief Client Officer. This pivotal role underscores PPHC’s commitment to maximising cross-firm collaboration and delivering unparalleled outcomes for its clients.

Having completed four significant acquisitions since its IPO, and now with ten operating companies and over 1,200 clients based globally, John’s appointment will accelerate the Group’s  cross-referral program, fostering deeper integration and synergy and enhancing organic revenue growth.  With a focus on business development and execution, John will work to unlock new opportunities by leveraging the unique capabilities of each firm, ensuring clients benefit from the full breadth of PPHC’s expertise.

John brings over two decades of experience as a trusted advocate in the federal policy space. In addition to his new role, he will continue to serve as Chairman of Crossroads Strategies, one of PPHC’s premier federal affairs firms. Before joining Crossroads, John co-founded Federalist Group, LLC, which was later acquired by Ogilvy Public Relations and became one of the top five government relations firms in Washington, D.C. His track record reflects a deep understanding of the industry and a proven ability to drive growth and client success.

This announcement reflects PPHC’s forward-looking strategy to integrate expertise across its firms, creating value for clients and shareholders alike. The Company’s focus on collaboration and innovation continues to position it as the go-to partner for organisations navigating complex policy and reputational challenges.

Stewart Hall, CEO of PPHC, commented:

“John has an outstanding reputation and will deploy his abilities to connect the dots between our firms and create bespoke teams tailored to client needs. His deep understanding of our business portfolio and connectivity with the CEOs of our operating companies makes him the ideal person to lead this initiative. With ten companies under the Group’s umbrella and a strong M&A pipeline, this appointment signals our commitment to further harnessing our collective strengths and driving organic growth across the Group.”

John Green, CCO of PPHC, commented:

“I’m honored to take on this role and work closely with our talented teams across the Group. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we have an incredible opportunity to not only enhance client outcomes but also further solidify PPHC’s position as the leader in public affairs and government relations.”