"Typewriter Eraser" at the Sculpture Garden, National Gallery of Art
Babak Zafarnia brings a decade of experience in business public relations firms, political bodies and international circles to the front lines of media, crisis and strategic consulting. As a communications specialist for key Members of Congress and heads of state, a government relations expert, an international union representative and practicing attorney, he recognizes that any public affairs firm must adapt to evolving social media in the business public relations and political worlds.
Babak was most recently a Director in the Issues & Crisis Group at Burson-Marsteller, in the public relations firm’s Washington, DC office. At Burson, Babak counseled numerous Fortune 100 companies and international clients in global telecommunications; international trade; international defense; corporate and finance; political elections; and advised on widely-known brand products/services.
Prior to Burson, Babak was a Director in the International Practice at Levick Strategic Communications. He advised the Government of Dubai and diaspora groups on CFIUS, international business, human rights, labor, entertainment, academia/scholarship and tourism.
A licensed attorney, Babak also practiced commercial and civil rights litigation with law firms in Washington and completed a fellowship with a prominent national civil justice non-profit group.
Babak received his Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law, where he won the first-year Moot Court competition and received the highest overall score in all rounds. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in policy from George Washington University, and his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University. He is an avid global traveler and has speaking knowledge in Farsi and French.
"Voltri XV" at the Sculpture Garden, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Marshall Maher is a senior media strategist with a decade of experience in journalism, public and media relations, and consulting international companies.
Marshall was most recently Director of Marketing and Communications for Pact, Inc., one of the U.S. government’s largest foreign development contractors working across 60 countries in the areas of HIV/AIDS, microfinance and women’s empowerment. Marshall’s work included crucial communications support for partners and donors such as USAID, The World Bank Group, the UK Department for International Development and the Global Fund.
Before Pact, Marshall was Director of Strategic Marketing and Global Communications at Conservation International, where he led CSR and sustainability partnerships with McDonald’s, Starbucks, British Gas and DreamWorks. Marshall’s public relations campaigns generated over $30 million in earned media and were featured in 60 Minutes, CNN, The New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Times of London and hundreds of other media outlets and influential blogs. He worked with the governments of Madagascar and Indonesia to secure positive media coverage for their development programs.
Marshall also served as Press Secretary for U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett, a senior member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Marshall has a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious Daily Texan, the largest college newspaper in the country. Marshall has worked extensively in the developing world and currently is writing a book on how marketers can reach these emerging constituencies.
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Washington, DC 20009
202.277.0800
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On The Blog Æsthetic, we discuss thought-provoking news from the world of public relations. Join us as we talk about the power of cutting-edge publicity tactics and PR agency strategies for a new era.
The International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) is a non-profit professional association for photographers, communications experts, and filmmakers whose mission is "to further environmental and cultural conservation through ethical filmmaking." Praecere is helping iLCP garner global media, build an online community, and enhance the iLCP brand to attract more support for its environmental protection efforts. The iLCP model of using stunning "imagery as the message" will be recognized as the vanguard in conservation. Praecere is honored to represent iLCP and excited about their ground-breaking work in environmental outreach. Visit their website at www.ilcp.com to learn more about this amazing organization.