(Washington, DC) – Subject Matter, the Creative Advocacy firm based in Washington, D.C., today announced the addition of new senior talent, with Patrick Kerley joining the firm as Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Curry Smith joining the Client Service team as Senior Director.
Kerley was most recently EVP, Managing Director at Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW), where he led integrated communications campaigns, crisis response and digital strategy for multiple Fortune 500 and international clients. He previously led digital and social programs at the reputation management and strategic public affairs firm Levick Strategic Communications. He served as Digital Communications Director for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), directing online strategy and communications for the senator’s Washington office and re-election campaign.
Smith brings diverse experience including nonprofit management, marketing and communications, external affairs and government relations. He recently directed development and fundraising efforts during the 2018 midterm election cycle for HeadCount. For The Idea Village and Young Leadership Council in New Orleans, he identified and cultivated strategic partnerships with influencers and funders, and drove community-level engagement to support public-private initiatives.
“Clients continue to seek out Subject Matter because we offer fresh perspective, backed by an impressive track record and fierce drive to succeed,” said founding partner Paul Frick. “Patrick and Curry add to that depth of experience and broad-based expertise.”
The addition of Kerley and Smith further demonstrates Subject Matter’s investment in new talent across all its disciplines, coming at the heels of other notable hires in Q1 of 2019 including:
Cedric Grant, Government Relations, previously lead Democratic lobbyist at H&R Block and former Chief of Staff to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08).
Natalie Farr, Government Relations, former Chief of Staff for Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and staff member of the House Republican Study Committee.
Brianna Kelley, Senior Media Specialist, formerly from PMK-BNC in Los Angeles where she worked with major brands in technology, lifestyle and entertainment.
Andrew Johnson, Senior Writer/Editor, formerly Communications Director for Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03), as well as National Review and Capitol Hill reporter.