Povaddo Launches Under Leadership of PR Industry Professionals

Firm integrates best-in-class research with issues management and public affairs strategy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Povaddo, a new boutique consulting firm, made its official public launch this week.  Povaddo's team of seasoned professionals serves as their clients' strategic partners, providing an analytical and informed point-of-view to help effectively navigate complex issues, make inspired decisions and successfully manage stakeholders.  

The D.C.-based firm also boasts exceptional international reach and expertise, with partnerships in key global markets, including Asia, Europe and Latin America.  It currently operates in three other U.S. markets, including New York, St. Louis and Denver.

The name of the firm, Povaddo, is derived from POV – or "point of view" – and addo, which is Latin for "inspire."  Together, these two concepts make up the firm's goal of "inspiring insights" on behalf of its clients.

William Stewart, the firm's founder and president, brings more than 15 years of experience in the field of communications research.  Before starting his own firm, Stewart was a Senior Vice President, Partner and Director of Research at Fleishman-Hillard.  

"We believe the best strategies are created when companies and organizations use research to better understand an issue or situation and test messages," said Stewart.  "This effectively reduces guesswork and mitigates the risk of making a bad decision. We use a number of proven tools that help our clients determine where they stand, where they want to go and how they will get there."

One of Povaddo's core strengths is its ability to blend research and communication design to produce some of the most visually compelling and thought-provoking deliverables in the industry.  By integrating strategic design and packaging, Povaddo is able to deliver insights that truly inspire, drive decision-making and achieve measurable outcomes.

In addition to Stewart, Povaddo includes the leadership of three other professionals, each bringing years of PR agency experience to the firm.

• Bill Cullo: a communications research veteran with 20 years of PR agency and political polling experience, including serving as head of research for Qorvis Communications.  Before making the transition to corporate public affairs research, he led efforts for some the nation's leading Republican candidates and also served as Deputy Director for polling for Senator Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign.
• Jim Heys: a design expert with almost two decades of PR agency experience.  He has been involved in the development and interpretation of various brand factors and their implications for brand positioning, brand identity, brand architecture, naming and communications.  In addition to serving as head of design for Stewart and Partners, Jim also led the visual branding capabilities for Fleishman-Hillard.
• Marla Viorst: brings nearly two decades of experience in public relations, public policy and strategic communications.  She worked on Capitol Hill as spokesperson for Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), and represented clients on a range of issues, including food safety, obesity prevention, employment, nutrition labeling, education, healthcare and energy while at Hill & Knowlton, Fleishman-Hillard and Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates in D.C.  

The firm has also hired Venkat Nettimi to lead its strategic consulting practice.  With deep experience in financial services and consumer products, Venkat brings nearly 20 years of strategy, product management, marketing and research know-how to the table.  Most recently at Citigroup in New York, Venkat was responsible for business development, marketing and account management of multiple corporate banking products. Venkat also served as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Citi Canada at Citigroup, and is a graduate of the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and the Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad, India.

Povaddo already has ongoing client relationships with several Fortune 250 clients, and serves a diverse range of global private sector, government and non-profit clients from a variety of industry and issue sectors, including transportation, food and beverage, biotechnology, energy and security.  It recently published a study looking at American's familiarity with leading food issues, such as labeling, sodium levels, obesity and advertising.  For more information, go to: www.povaddo.com.  

SOURCE Povaddo