George Thompson

Business adviser, Business leader, Consultant, Policy maker, Promoter, Writer/Editor

I lead the communications and media relations practice at Banner Public Affairs in Washington, DC. My job: help clients--large corporations, small start-ups, unions, and non-profits--achieve victories with the federal and state governments. I learned my craft over a 17 year career with FleishmanHillard, where I led the firm's Corporate Reputation Management and Public Affairs divisions in Washington, DC. I use integrated business-to-government (B2G) communications campaigns to solve my clients' challenges, which include regulations/policies that are bad for their businesses, competitive disadvantages, reputational crises, and invisible/unclear value propositions that impede sales. B2G campaigns are modeled after political campaigns, pushing highly targeted messaging through multiple channels: media relations, lobbying, digital/social media, and third parties like think tanks and academics. My B2G client experience includes AT&T, CGI Federal, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), CTIA, Harris Corporation, HP, McAfee, Motorola and Northrop Grumman. I am also an experienced crisis communications counselor, having managed issues including corporate cyber breaches, misconduct, workforce actions and accidents. Of note: I ran the press war room for the lead contractor on Healthcare.gov. Beyond my government and defense industry client work in Washington, DC, I have taken on a variety of global client engagements. Most recently, I led a team that built the communications department for a Middle East nation's renewable energy ministry. . I have a B.A. (Political Science) from the College of Wooster in Ohio where I attended on a bagpiping scholarship. I completed my undergraduate theses on nuclear non-proliferation economics and policy.

Building opportunities--for clients, colleagues and family. I am driven to help others thrive.

Government that runs like mid-sized corporations: streamlined decision-making by empowered workers, nimble and able to take risks, merit-based hierarchy.

Campaigns, Commuincations, Marketing Management

After spending nearly 2 decades working in a global communications agency, I set out last year and built a new firm. I've replicated a client service model that proved highly-effective and it's working--we've grown new capabilities, added new clients and bolstered our ranks with new talent. What I valued and now miss from the big global firm is the stream of perspective, new ideas and fresh thinking about how to tackle problems. I look forward to learning more about how others are excelling in their craft.

Bagpiping--I went to college on a piping scholarship and have taught many people how to play.