I don’t know Richard Edelman, but he has been quite successful in business, growing his public relations firm to be one of the largest and most influential on the globe. The reason why Edelman ended up tracking on my radar screen, as a publisher of a website on California politics, is that his company has just hired FR State Capitol Correspondent Dan Schnur to lead its California Public Affairs Practice.
What an outstanding pick by Edelman.
I have known Dan (pictured) for the better part of two decades now, and I know he is going to do a great job for Edelman, and its clients. But wait, before anyone assumes that my heaping of praise means that Dan is (like me) somewhere to the right of Attila the Hun, he is not. Dan’s somewhat more moderate in ideology than me, and definitely more moderate in his temperament. Nevertheless, it is a testament to Dan’s people skills that I consider him to be a good friend, and a political mentor.
In early 2005, when I first contemplated taking the FlashReport from an e-newsletter to a website, I spoke at length with Dan, who had a lot of great ideas. When I asked Dan if he would be willing to come onboard as a writer for us (as I said at the time, to show that we represent the ‘full spectrum’ of GOP thought on the site), Dan agreed without hesitation, and has been an important part of this website — providing interesting analysis and commentary, and most importantly for our launch of over two years ago, credibility.
Despite an amazing array of clients and a lot of work for many different causes, partisan and non, Dan is still best known for the five years (that probably seemed like fifty) that he was the chief spokesman for then Governor Pete Wilson (oh yeah, and all of those Presidential campaigns that put the gray in his hair). You can check out all of Dan’s impressive accomplishments on the release put out yesterday by Edelman.
Having gotten to know Dan, it has been interesting to watch his career. The last few years especially, Dan has really been able to focus on the things that are important to him – especially prioritizing his work with non-profits, and his gig as a professor at both Cal Berkeley and U.S.C. (Dan must own stock in Southwest Airlines).
I had occasion to speak with Dan yesterday and he was able to share with me his excitement at his new challenge with Edelman Public Affairs. You could hear the excitement in his voice, and also some of the apprehension about the new challenge before him. Yes, Dan, you’re working for a very big corporation now — welcome to the big leagues.
Well, circling back to Richard Edelman. As I said when I started this commentary, I’ve never met the man. But clearly he is someone who understands the importance of bringing on the right person to accomplish an important task. Bringing on Dan Schnur was a great move. Dan will do amazing things for this company, and its clients.
Okay Dan, with that tee-up, no pressure!
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