Leading Crisis & Litigation Communications Firm Expands Public Affairs Reach

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Levick Strategic Communications, global leader in high-stakes crisis and litigation communications, has appointed industry veteran Don Hannaford to chair its newly-expanded public affairs practice.

Mr. Hannaford brings to Levick more than three decades of communications and government relations expertise. He has spent the majority of his career leading public affairs and issues and crisis management efforts on behalf of the biggest names in the healthcare and pharmaceutical, financial services, and energy industries.

"With a challenging new legislative and regulatory environment and vastly changed and diffused communications channels, companies and countries face uncharted waters when it comes to communicating their policy positions," said Richard Levick, Esq., president and CEO of Levick Strategic Communications. "Don Hannaford's unparalleled expertise in public affairs will be invaluable in expanding what we offer to clients and helping them successfully navigate these challenges to win on Capitol Hill and in the Court of Public Opinion."

Prior to joining Levick, Mr. Hannaford served as managing director of the New York office and director of the Corporate and Public Affairs Practice at Zeno Group. In his time at Zeno Group, he built and supported successful reputation-building and issues management programs for clients such as SCA, Surescripts and T-Mobile.

"At a time when political agendas throw more and more businesses and organizations into the spotlight, winning now depends on a communications strategy that utilizes a nimble combination of creative digital media strategies, traditional media know-how and public affairs experience," Mr. Hannaford said. "I am delighted to be part of a team with a solid record of developing and winning communications campaigns when losing simply isn't an option."

Prior to working for Zeno Group, Mr. Hannaford served as managing director of the Washington, D.C. office of Manning Selvage & Lee. In addition to directing the growth of that office, he led issues and crisis management for major companies including Eli Lilly and Company, CIT, Nike, Mitsubishi Motors and Allergan.

His work in Washington includes directing corporate image advertising for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the National Capital Area as well as executing healthcare advocacy relations programs for a number of pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies. He also coordinated national public affairs and media programs for such diverse clients as the Citicorp, the Republic of China on Taiwan, Toyota and Avery-Dennison.

Mr. Hannaford began his career in the office of U.S. Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania where he served as legislative assistant on health, environmental and energy issues after the Three Mile Island nuclear crisis. He has also worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior and Minerals Management Service.

Mr. Hannaford received a Bachelor of Arts dual degree from the University of Pennsylvania in international relations and classical studies.

About Levick Strategic Communications

Levick Strategic Communications safeguards brands and reputations worldwide. The firm has been honored with multiple awards for its work ensuring public trust when it matters most, including Crisis Agency of the Year, Leadership in Public Affairs, Litigation Communications Firm of the Year, and top ratings in Food Crisis and Investor Relations. Levick's blog, www.bulletproofblog.com, provides daily updates on the breaking events affecting companies, countries, and brands worldwide. Find a complete arsenal of communications tools on the firm's website, www.levick.com.

SOURCE Levick Strategic Communications

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