Precision Strategies

Precision’s positioning as a pioneering data-driven public affairs specialist has served the firm well since its inception in 2013, when it was founded by Obama campaign veterans Stephanie Cutter, Jen O’Malley Dillon and Teddy Goff. The firm has consistently demonstrated an ability to drive earned, digital and paid media via a sophisticated understanding of grassroots mobilization and new technologies. The foundation for this success includes the firm’s own data integration and analytics platform, which fuels sophisticated capabilities in advertising, crisis management, branding, creative, website management, events and experiential marketing, employed for corporate clients, non-profits, and political campaigns.

Growth in 2024 came in at a solid if unspectacular 6%, reflecting a challenging environment for public affairs firms amid political turmoil. Nevertheless, the firm won 35 new accounts in financial services, health care, climate, education, and other areas of expertise. In the public affairs arena, the firm picked up work from musicFIRST, Humana, Andretti Formula 1, and JP Morgan Chase, while there was crisis communications work for the International Association of Firefighters, and—with an expanded focus on the sports business—Fenway Sports Group, the San Diego Padres, and the MLS Players Association. The firm also delivered integrated campaigns for Earthjustice, Coinbase, Science Moms, New York Jobs CEO Council, Museum of Moving Image, and Smithsonian National Zoo.

But as always, the most impressive thing about Precision’s year was the sheer number of high-profiles issues and causes in which it played a central (and mostly winning) role: it was in the forefront of the campaign to open a DOJ investigation into the Ticketmaster Live Nation monopoly; persuaded CMS to cover Wegovy and other weight loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid; blocked legislation that would have raised consumer credit card fees; and persuaded Formula One to Reversed its position and permit the first All-American team for Andretti. It also stepped in to help produce the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A restructuring of practice and specialty areas saw Precision Strategies emphasizing its data-driven capabilities in brand building, audience identification, storytelling and reputation management expertise. A new studio sought to develop content that can meet audiences where they are and produce custom creative at scale across every channel. The firm hired Lucas Stockslader, a pioneer in the field,, for rapid fire message testing, and Chris Allen, a veteran political and market researcher who is leading Precision’s team to uncover critical information to inform strategies in real-time. Thought leadership efforts have emphasized the firm’s expertise in the new influence ecosystem, and the way information travels through networks of politicians, podcasters, entertainers, business leaders, media personalities, news outlets, think tanks, advocacy organizations, and even social media meme accounts as well as through more traditional channels.

Other new additions to the team include Dhruv Nanda as its first executive creative director and named Krishana Davis to lead its multicultural engagement practice. The firm also added Dori Salcido, who served as director of strategic communications for President Biden's Covid response team, to co-lead the healthcare and crisis management practices, and Melissa Miller and Tim Mulvey as senior VPs in the communications practice. Continuing its longtime investment in people, Precision refined its Learning Lab, and its DEI Council, while continuing its mentorship program, its annual team retreats, and its impressive mental health and wellness benefits.—PH