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* Way down deep in a recent Tribune story about the governor’s staff changes was this little nugget…
Even before this month’s staff changes, Rauner brought in two outside consultants to help distribute his message. In April, he hired Jon Morris, founder and CEO of Rise Interactive, a Chicago digital marketing agency, and Anne Kavanagh, a former TV reporter who now does media training, crisis management and publicity work.
Morris was hired to help Rauner’s office with its digital media strategy, while Kavanagh was brought on to assist with the administration’s “earned media” strategy — industry-speak for free publicity that usually comes in the form of coverage on television or in print.
According to “engagement letters” drawn up by Dennis Murashko, Rauner’s general counsel, Morris and Kavanagh were both hired for an initial period of three months. The letters, obtained by the Tribune though a public records request, detail how Morris and Kavanagh are to interact with the governor’s office. Both were required to report to Rauner’s then-communications staff, but were not paid using taxpayer dollars.
Morris declined to comment. Kavanagh acknowledged she had been doing work for the governor, but said she wasn’t part of the decision-making process regarding the recent shake-up in the governor’s office.
That’s an unusual arrangement, to say the least.
You can scroll through more info on Morris’ firm by clicking here.
* Kavanagh’s firm has (or, at least at one point had) some interesting clients…
As you can see, my clients are super smart and good looking… Hanging with Diana Rickert and Kathy Myalls at the Illinois Policy Christmas party!!
Posted by MediaPros24/7 on Sunday, December 21, 2014
Media Training Bootcamp in Wisconsin….Thanks to my former FOX colleagues and friends, Lauren Cohn and Jack Conaty for…
Posted by MediaPros24/7 on Monday, November 9, 2015
Media Training Bootcamp for 20! Thanks to Lilia Chacon, Lauren Cohn and our crews including my son Connor!! Enjoyed working with the Illinois Opportunity Project!
Posted by MediaPros24/7 on Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Big news in court yesterday for MediaPros 24/7 client, Dan Herbert.
Posted by MediaPros24/7 on Friday, May 6, 2016
The Illinois Policy Institute, Richard Uihlein, the Illinois Opportunity Project and CPD Officer Jason Van Dyke’s defense attorney. Quite the cast of characters.
…Adding… Forgot about this one…
State Rep @Jeanneives gets grilled by @kavanagh_anne for Media Pros 24\7 media training. Firing line! pic.twitter.com/2AtzKCQaNw
— Lilia A. Chacon (@LiliaChacon) June 26, 2015
*** UPDATE *** Interesting points here…
These privately-funded hires are unprecedented - traditional disclosure requirements for their roles, salaries, and activities may not apply
— ILCampaign (@ILCampaign) July 24, 2017
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:24 am
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Lovin’ the consistent use of multiple exclamation points.
Comment by Linus Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:32 am
Rauner’s desperate attempts to satisfy his obsession with “messaging” led to a revolving door of outside “experts” who would stroke his ego and promise to make things “right”. His staff at the time — correctly — counseled against paying PR advisors from the Governor’s Office during a budget crisis, so he and Diana paid out of pocket. And they weren’t happy about it. In the end, it’s unclear what all this outside consulting produced other than a staff purge and lots of negative publicity.
Comment by Whatever Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:37 am
Most of these kinds of firms and agencies have some ‘diverse’ clientele. Not a lot different than law firms who represent people. It’s an interesting group, to be sure. But if you look at some of the others, it’s not way out of whack.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:44 am
I don’t understand why Ms.Kavanagh would do any work for Rauner, when on her FB page her comments seem to be somewhat to the left, especially when it comes to POTUS Trump.
Comment by ILGOV2018 Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:44 am
Isn’t Lilia Chacon on the government payroll of an elected Democratic official? http://www.robertfeder.com/2017/04/28/year-suburbs-lilia-chacon-going-back-downtown/
Comment by Michael Westen Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:51 am
A few questions:
– Which private entities paid for these contracts?
– Did these vendors recommend any specific policy or communications actions?
– If so, did these vendors register as lobbyists for those entities? If not, why?
– What financial disclosures have and will be made for this “shadow” lobby spending?
Comment by Workin' Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:52 am
What the heck is Rauner complaining about — he thinks his message isn’t getting out?
Actually, he gets pretty favorable coverage from the media, especially from the Chicago TV news shops. Their benign reporting on Rauner sometimes reminds me of the way they slobbered all over Richie Daley during his early years as mayor.
And downstate, scores of media outlets — both broadcast and print — simply regurgitate free IPI-generated “news” content.
What’s more, media throughout the state are all too happy to cast Madigan as the villain, a job made easy because Madigan makes little attempt to do any “messaging” himself.
If Rauner expects his new communications staff is going to improve the coverage he’s getting, he’s gonna be disappointed — because can’t get any better than it’s already been.
Comment by Roman Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:07 am
==Most of these kinds of firms and agencies have some ‘diverse’ clientele.==
This cast ain’t all that diverse…
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:08 am
==This cast ain’t all that diverse…===
Let’s call it divergent interests then for the crowd who simply can’t process context.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:14 am
==Let’s call it divergent interests then==
That’s exactly what I mean, sorry the use of the word “diversity” confused you so.
IPI, Uihlien, IOP…these guys all row in the same direction.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:34 am
Add another character to the cast: Dana Kurtz, an attorney who seems to have a knack for getting in trouble with judges.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-verdict-overturned-chicago-cop-met-20160930-story.html
http://www.illinoisobserver.net/2015/01/21/hinsdale-attorney-misconduct-bring-cicero-287500-windfall/
Comment by Roman Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:50 am
Rauner can’t run on his record so he needs to create a mythical Rauner in the public’s mind.
It’s only a matter of having enough money and maintaining the messaging.
Comment by Chicago 20 Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:59 am
==- Michael Westen - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:51 am:==
Timestamps are a thing Michael.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:59 am
I looked but didn’t see anything on their websites about strategies for North Shore dinner parties. /s
Comment by Earnest Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:05 am
Not sure what “timestamps” are a thing means. According to the Feder item, Chacon was with the Bernie Sanders campaign before she went back on the public payroll. So I’ll ask a different question. What is a Bernie Sanders person doing working with a group that stands diametrically opposed to everything Bernie Sanders is for?
Comment by Michael Westen Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:06 am
To the Post,
This is my take on “this”…
At this point in Rauner’s term, what should be concerning isn’t Rauner’s policies at the moment. They are what they are. It’s the systematic restructuring of message and messaging where Rauner feels his ideas are failing.
It’s not the ideas failing, it’s the messaging.
Whew.
Very telling to Rauner missing the point of “doing the doable” and finding 60/71 and 30/36.
Dangerous & risky strategy to move an agenda. It’s not building consensus either.
Rauner feels that honing a message is going to make his policies less toxic and less controversial.
I read that as nothing is being compromised except the messaging to force an outcome Rauner wants delivered.
That, it people liking him and Diana at cocktail parties again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:26 am
–According to “engagement letters” drawn up by Dennis Murashko, Rauner’s general counsel, Morris and Kavanagh were both hired for an initial period of three months. The letters, obtained by the Tribune though a public records request, detail how Morris and Kavanagh are to interact with the governor’s office. Both were required to report to Rauner’s then-communications staff, but were not paid using taxpayer dollars.–
How is it kosher that a government lawyer is doing Rauner’s personal legal work on the taxpayer dime?
Same with government staff doing private image-making on the taxpayer dime?
I recall a Quinn COS resigning after getting called on a few campaign emails.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:38 am
== Isn’t Lilia Chacon on the government payroll of an elected Democratic official? =+
Alert John Kass. The combine lives!
Comment by Roman Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 11:41 am
Guy, please enlighten on the “divergent interests” of that “diverse” crew of IPI, Uiehlein and IOP.
Perhaps you should consult a dictionary before you use words that you don’t understand, in any context.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 12:07 pm
==How is it kosher that a government lawyer is doing Rauner’s personal legal work on the taxpayer dime?==
That’s a very good question. Perhaps more people should start asking it.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 1:18 pm
==Guy, please enlighten on the …===
Dear Sling. Bless your heart. I would never endeavor to try to enlighten you on any subject at any time. It would utterly insult your precious self legacy. However, as long as we’re discussing books, perhaps you could give Emily Post a read. Upon completion, you’d be perfect.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 1:58 pm
–Dear Sling. Bless your heart.–
LOL, that I understand, when Southern ladies say it.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Well, I declare…
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 2:14 pm
the beautiful people
Comment by Rabid Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 7:00 pm