LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s two top communications consultants are joining forces to form Truscott Rossman, a bipartisan strategic communications firm with offices in Lansing, Detroit and Grand Rapids. The new and unique venture represents a melding of political cultures at a time when innovative solutions are at a premium, the firm’s partners say.
Kelly Rossman-McKinney, CEO of The Rossman Group, who served in the Democratic administration of Gov. James Blanchard and worked in the Michigan House and Senate, is CEO and principal of the new firm. John Truscott, president of The John Truscott Group, who served as communications director and spokesman for Republican Gov. John Engler and also worked in the Michigan House and Senate, is president and principal.
The two are teaming up just as the new Republican administration of Gov. Rick Snyder comes into office with a bipartisan cadre of advisers.
“While Gov. Snyder is busy reinventing Michigan, we are reinventing the landscape of strategic communications in Michigan,” Rossman-McKinney said. “Both of our teams have well-deserved reputations as two of the most highly regarded in our industry, so it’s a natural fit to work together. From Motown to the Capital City to the Furniture City, no other firm can match our statewide experience and expertise.”
Truscott and Rossman-McKinney have more than 50 years combined of communications consulting experience, and Truscott said they’re eager to build on that expertise.
“No single communications firm has the bipartisan breadth and depth of Truscott Rossman,” Truscott said. “Between us, Kelly and I will make things happen for our clients like no other firm can. Our contacts and reputations are unmatched, and we’re well on our way to being Michigan’s powerhouse communications firm.”
Rossman-McKinney and Truscott have been ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 most effective public relations professionals, respectively, each of the three times MIRS/EPIC-MRA has surveyed state Capitol insiders – in 2004, 2007 and 2009. In each of the surveys, The Rossman Group was ranked the most effective public relations firm and The John Truscott Group was ranked among the top five. Rossman-McKinney established her firm in 1988, Truscott in 2001.
Rossman Vice President Sharon Emery, who covered the Capitol for 20 years as an editor and reporter with Booth Newspapers, retains that title and leads the senior account team. Team members include Jeremy Steele from The John Truscott Group and Josh Hovey, Phil Lewis and Megan Brown from The Rossman Group. Rossman’s Graham Davis is director of new media. Longtime Detroit News Capitol reporter Charlie Cain is senior writer.
Truscott Rossman’s Lansing headquarters is in the Boji Tower, 124 W. Allegan St., Suite 800, across from the Capitol. The firm also maintains satellite offices in downtown Detroit at 1407 Randolph, Suite 200, and downtown Grand Rapids at 250 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 400.
The new firm represents local, statewide, national and international clients and offers a full range of communications services, including issues management, crisis communication, litigation communication, media relations, new media, government affairs, ballot initiatives, community relations and grassroots initiatives. Truscott Rossman will soon release the eighth edition the “Michigan Legislators’ Guide to Lobbyists and Reporters,” the highly sought lobby guide originated by The Rossman Group, and will maintain Rossman’s longtime sponsorship of public television’s “Off the Record” political news program.
Lansing-based clients include Lansing Community College, Dean Transportation and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. The firm’s Detroit clients include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Detroit Medical Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts and DTE Energy. In Grand Rapids, the firm represents Meijer Inc.
Truscott Rossman represents Munson Health Systems in Traverse City, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, New York-based Credit Suisse, The Midland Cogeneration Venture and Washington, D.C.-based Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
For more information visit www.truscottrossman.com or call 517-487-9320.
Contact: Sharon Emery, (517) 487-9320, semery@truscottrossman.com or Jeremy Steele, (517) 485-8404, jsteele@truscottrossman.com