For Immediate Release: January 18, 2011

Contact Information: Jake Maccoby [email protected] (202) 464-6900

SKDK FURTHER EXPANDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS PRACTICE FOR 2011 Established Professionals Doug Thornell, Anna Bell Gall Join Rapidly Expanding Firm

Washington, D.C. & New York, January 18, 2011 – SKDKnickerbocker, the leading strategic communications firm in Washington, D.C. and New York, today announced that Doug Thornell and Anna Bell F. Gall are joining the firm’s expanding Public Affairs practice as Senior Vice President and Vice President, respectively, to play integral roles in the Washington, D.C. office. The appointments are the latest in a series of high profile hires made by SKDK in Washington, including Hilary Rosen, Emily Lenzner and Alex Slater.

Doug Thornell joins the firm as a Senior Vice President, serving most recently in the office of Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), former Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). With Van Hollen, Thornell oversaw the press operation of the Representative’s personal and leadership offices, working with other House Democratic leadership aides to formulate the Party’s communications and press strategy. He also provided strategic counseling on rapid response, messaging, and crisis communications to nearly 100 House Democrats. Prior to that role, Thornell was the National Press Secretary for the DCCC, where he was the lead spokesman for the Committee during the 2008 cycle, when Democrats retained the House, winning over 20 seats.

Anna Bell F. Gall has been appointed Vice President, joining SKDK from DCI Group, LLC, where as a director, she advised clients in the public, private and non-profit sectors on advocacy and policy. Her portfolio included work with leading financial, transportation and environmental groups and companies such as Verizon, Delta and Energy Future Holdings. A fifth-generation Texan and a native of Austin, Gall was a staffer in the office of House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer from 2002 - 2005, and later served as media and legislative coordinator at the Association for Justice.

“Doug and Anna Bell are some of the most talented communications professionals in the business, with invaluable experience honed from campaigns and navigating the most challenging policy issues,” said Anita Dunn, Managing Director of SKDKnickerbocker. “We look forward to drawing upon their record of success in message development and media relations to further strengthen our unique hands-on

approach to client service.”

MORE ON DOUG THORNELL

Before working at the DCCC, Thornell directed public affairs campaigns for nonprofits, trade associations and corporations. He has also served as a senior advisor to the Maryland Democratic Party; as the Traveling Press Secretary for Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign; and as the Deputy Political Director at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Prior to the Dean Campaign, Thornell worked in the Congressional offices of Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Representative Rosa L. DeLauro. He began his political career as a political organizer for Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign – working in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, and New Jersey.

A native of Silver Spring, MD, Thornell graduated from Cornell University with a degree in government and has appeared as a political analyst on MSNBC, FOX, WUSA, XM Satellite Radio, as well as local radio and TV stations across the country.

MORE ON ANNA BELL F. GALL

Gall received her masters in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she co-chaired the Electoral Politics Professional Interest Council and worked as a summer fellow at The Coca-Cola Company. She was a Normandy Scholar and an Archer Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with honors in government. Gall has long been active with Democratic campaigns, including Hoyer for Congress, senate and gubernatorial races in Texas, and Obama for America.

More on SKDKnickerbocker:

SKDKnickerbocker offers national and international companies, advocacy organizations, associations and non-profits a range of integrated communications services provided by hands-on leaders in their fields:

• Full-service public affairs/public relations capabilities; • Public opinion and elite research; • Crisis communications services; • Branding and re-positioning counsel; • Creative paid media and media buying operations; • Direct Mail strategies.

Founded more than two decades ago, SKDKnickerbocker has grown to become a leading strategic, political and corporate communications consulting firm. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, SKDKnickerbocker provides a depth of service that is second to none. Our clients range from Fortune 10 companies, the world’s leading politicians to public interest groups and non-profits. Our communications strategists have a unique breadth of experience, a commitment to public service and a track record of success.

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______SKDKnickerbocker - 2 - January 17, 2011