Burson-Marsteller is proud to welcome former communications director for San Francisco Mayor's Office and veteran democratic strategist Nathan Ballard to the firm as a Managing Director. Nathan is a leading political communications strategist with years of experience handling high-profile clients and campaigns with expertise in media relations, crisis communications, new media and creative media.
Nathan has worked in both national politics and California politics, a state that has traditionally been at the forefront of many national public policy issues and trends. He was the communications director for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom from 2007 to 2009. During his Nathan's tenure, Newsom saw a significant increase in his national visibility, including a New York Times Magazine cover profile. The Mayor's new media approach during this period on Twitter, Facebook, Huffington Post, Daily Kos, and YouTube was also called "gutsy" and "brilliant" by NPR.
From 2004- 2007, Nathan provided communications services to a range of clients including labor unions, nonprofit organizations, law firms, private businesses, political candidates, and initiative campaigns. During the 2004 presidential primaries, he was press secretary for Senator John Kerry in Northern California.
Both Newsweek Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle have awarded Nathan a "quote of the week."
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