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Paul Pflug and Melissa Zukerman
As Hollywood players look toward the presidential campaign year of 2016 and decisions about where to put their bets down, they have a new lineup of political consultants advising them. In the Hollywood Reporter's print magazine, Tina Daunt explains:
Hollywood executives confused about where to direct their philanthropic and political energies now have a superteam of political consultants to call. Principal Communications' Paul Pflug and Melissa Zukerman and Sky Advisory's Lindsay Rachelefsky have formed a strategic partnership during a time of nearly unprecedented turnover among established professional advisers to deep-pocketed industry liberals.Andy Spahn, who advises Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, essentially has been the last man standing among the top tier of Democratic consultants as Chad Griffin now runs the Human Rights Campaign from Washington, Noah Mamet is the U.S. ambassador to Argentina and veteran Marge Tabankin has retired.
Principal already advises some of Hollywood's top political and philanthropic donors, including Marvel Entertainment CEO Ike Perlmutter (one of the town's Republicans), Casey Wasserman, Live Nation's Michael Rapino, Peter Chernin and Lionsgate's Rob Friedman. In fact, Pflug, Zukerman and Rachelefsky met while putting together a DNC event Rapino hosted for President Obama. "There is absolutely a need for strategic partners who can navigate the labyrinth of philanthropy, politics and business," says Wasserman of his advisory team.
Some other politics notes:
The National Journal's Alex Brown wonders if Rep. Xavier Becerra is "tough enough" to compete for a leadership spot or the U.S. Senate.
The Associated Press named its politics campaign team for 2016. AP
Los Angeles County prosecutor Elan Carr announced today he will run for the Board of Supervisors seat being vacated next year by termed-out Mike Antinbovich. Carr ran previously for the Henry Waxman seat in Congress.
The LA County Democratic Party endorsed David Ryu in the 4th council district runoff, if he stays in it pending final vote counts. LAT
Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Van Gordon Sauter, the former LA television news executive who is married to his sister Kathleen, to the California State Athletic Commission. LAT
A race for the San Gabriel City Council has ended in an exact tie. LAT
