Background

DDC Public Affairs, formerly DDC Advocacy, is a public relations firm based in the Washington, D.C., area.¹ “DDC Opens Doors to New Headquarters, Launches Rebranded Website: Relocates to the Heart of Washington, D.C.,” DDC, September 4, 2014. Archived October 17, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ITvd3 Founded in 1996 as Democracy, Data, and Communications, it became part of the Omnicom advertising holding company in 2014.²“Omnicom Acquires DDC Advocacy,” O’Dwyer’s PR, December 9, 2014. Archived June 11, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tOclS DDC has worked heavily with fossil fuel industry associations, including the American Petroleum Institute and the American Gas Association. In 2024, DDC worked for Chevron Advocacy Network.³“Chevron Advocacy Network,” Chevron Advocacy Network Facebook page, accessed July 9, 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at Desmog.

DDC has set up dozens of industry-funded groups that appear to be grassroots citizens groups, also known as astroturf organizations.⁴“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn

DDC also set up the political action committee websites for API,⁵“API_00011150: API Contract No. 2017 – 110929,” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, April 30, 2024. Archived May 1, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. Koch Industries, GE, Altria (formerly Philip Morris), DTE Energy,⁶“DTE Energy PAC: Introducing a unique ambassador to increase visibility and participation,” DDC, c. 2021. Archived October 28, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bCXhZ the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, BP, Edison Electric Institute,⁷“Eeipowerpac.org,” Website Informer, 2023. Archived July 26, 2024. Archived .pdf at DeSmog. ConocoPhillips,⁸“ConocoPhillips: There’s Power in Cooperation,” Jim Scott Creates, archived January 5, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tKVqZ Valero, Exelon, and Monsanto.⁹“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn Lee Fang, a reporter at The Nation, wrote, “DDC Advocacy is part of a cottage industry of Beltway consultants who specialize in helping businesses activate their employees and customers into-mini lobbyists.”¹⁰Lee Fang. “Is Your Boss Going to ‘Mine’ Your Vote? More Corporations Step Up Coercion,” The Nation, October 19, 2012. Archived March 24, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FGXmY

Your Energy America campaign for the American Gas Association

In 2017, DeSmog revealed that DDC helped run the American Gas Association’s Your Energy America campaign, which touted the benefits of methane gas and specifically promoted the proposed Atlantic Coast pipeline. Your Energy America launched during the Virginia gubernatorial primary, during which the proposed pipeline became a significant issue.¹¹Carmen Forman. “Virginia governor’s race ‘a referendum on pipelines’,” The Roanoke Times, June 4, 2017. Archived June 5, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FXUYe

Your Energy America presented itself as a grassroots organization and invited visitors to its website to join the campaign. It debuted at a May 2017 Virginia Chamber of Commerce Energy & Sustainability conference, where it was a sponsor.¹²“2017 Energy & Sustainability Conference,” originally published by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, file published by DeSmog, May 2017. Archived December 8, 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. DeSmog reported that an anonymous source who attended the Virginia Chamber of Commerce event saw Ryan Lowry, a vice president at DDC, wearing a Your Energy Virginia name tag. Both the Your Energy America website and its Virginia chapter, Your Energy Virginia, were registered by DDC. 

DDC’s Jim Scott Polsinelli¹³“Jim Scott Polsinelli – DMAS Are you at the Public Affairs Council #DMAS17? Make sure you catch JSP at 11:15am today as he speaks on creating best-in-class videos for your program!” DDC Public Affairs Facebook account, June 13, 2017. Archived .jpg available at DeSmog. wrote on his website about the Your Energy campaign: “The fracking debate was generating a lot of bad press for natural gas. Further, the energy was being seen as an enemy of renewables. The American Gas Association needed to change the perception of natural gas.”¹⁴“American Gas Association: Your Energy,” Jim Scott Polsinelli, c. 2019. Archived February 5, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7pPkr

In 2018, DDC won a Reed Award for its work on Your Energy America.¹⁵“Work That Gets Results,” DDC Public Affairs. Archived May 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RRx7b According to DDC’s Jesse Bussey, DDC worked on Your Energy America from 2017 to 2019.¹⁶“Your Energy,” Jesse Bussey, archived July 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RPq6e

DDC’s Energy Citizens campaign for the American Petroleum Institute

The American Petroleum Institute’s Energy Citizens astroturfing campaign was created by Edelman, a public relations firm, to block the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade carbon emissions bill from becoming law.¹⁸Sassan, Mahat, Aronczyck, and Brulle. “Energy Citizens “Just Like You”? Public Relations Campaigning by the Climate Change Countermovement,” Environmental Communication, August 28, 2023. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. In 2012, DDC also began working on the Energy Citizens campaign, according to a case study published on DDC’s website.¹⁹“Case Studies: American Petroleum Institute (API)—State-Focused Example,” DDC Advocacy, 2017. Archived July 13, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Although Energy Citizens is funded entirely by the American Petroleum Institute, DDC wrote that Energy Citizens had “more than 700,000 members supporting pro-energy policies in communities across the country”²⁰“Are You Ready For The Race? Join Energy Citizens and Enter for a Chance to Win,” Energy Race Fans, archived July 21, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pW6tl on an Energy Citizens website registered by DDC.²¹“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn

In the case study, DDC wrote that it managed “all facets” of API’s national advocacy program. API saw Energy Citizens as a way to use “independent voices” to shift the energy policy conversation in favor of the fossil fuel industry.²²“Case Studies: American Petroleum Institute (API)—State-Focused Example,” DDC Advocacy, 2017. Archived July 13, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. “DDC was tasked with creating an on-the-ground campaign focused on raising the profile of Energy Citizens in support of natural gas production from the “Marcellus Shale” formation in Pennsylvania,” DDC wrote on its website. DDC targeted local property owners, small businesses and industry groups with “values-based messaging that included family and community issues,” according to the DDC case study. 

DDC supported people in testifying at 10 public hearings in Pennsylvania, including the EPA Public Hearing on Natural Gas and the Bipartisan Public Forum on the Marcellus Shale.²⁴“Case Studies: American Petroleum Institute (API)—State-Focused Example,” DDC Advocacy, 2017. Archived July 13, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. In testimony to the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board as it prepared to issue new rules for oil and gas wells,²⁵(Press Release). “Pennsylvania DEP Releases Revised Rulemaking Proposal for Environmental Protection Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites,” Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, March 9, 2015. Archived October 8, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4NWWW  a man who identified himself as a member of Energy Citizens called on the board to reject regulations that would impede fracking.²⁶Charlie Spano. “Testimony to the Environmental Quality Board:  Environmental Protection Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites,” received March 12, 2014 by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Archived June 25, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. His testimony included the exact wording that API uses on its website to tout the economic benefits of fracking Marcellus Shale:

 “A study by Timothy J. Considine shows increased access in the Marcellus Shale formation could create 280,000 jobs and produce over $6 billion in government revenue. A similar study by the Manhattan Institute found that each well drilled generates about $4 million in economic opportunities from shale gas development activity.”²⁷“Marcellus Shale,” American Petroleum Institute, c. 2014. Archived August 6, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XtyoZ

According to DDC’s website, it “generated” 170 letters supporting the oil and gas industry, which it sent to the State of Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Commission²⁸“Case Studies: American Petroleum Institute (API)—State-Focused Example,” DDC Advocacy, 2017. Archived July 13, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. DDC also organized five meetings between Energy Citizens advocates and congressional staff. 

Michigan Energy First/Alliance for Michigan Power for DTE Energy

DDC worked for Michigan Energy First when the DTE Energy-linked front group launched in 2014,³⁰“DDC Advocacy Wins Four Pollie Awards,” DDC Advocacy, April 7, 2014. Archived April 10, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DMXov and it paid DDC $1.033 million to manage its website and social media from 2021³¹“Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Michigan Energy First,” Internal Revenue Service, May 1, 2023. Archived July 15, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. to 2022,³²“Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax: Michigan Energy First, 2021,” Internal Revenue Service, May 5, 2022. Archived July 15, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. according to filings with the IRS. Fossil fuel watchdog Energy and Policy Institute describes Michigan Energy First as “a 501(c)(4) dark money group run by several DTE Energy executives that anchors a network of front groups affiliated with the utility.”³³“Michigan Energy First,” Energy and Policy Institute, Archived March 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/saCT8

These other front groups include Michigan Energy Promise and Alliance for Michigan Power. According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Corporate Affairs, these groups are assumed names for Michigan Energy First.³⁴“The Name of the Domestic Nonprofit Corporation: Michigan Energy First,” Michigan Department of Licensing and Corporate Affairs, accessed July 9, 2024. Archived September 24, 2023. Archive URL: ​​https://archive.ph/w3rp9 DTE Energy’s Vice President of Corporate and Government Affairs, Renze Hoeksema, is the president of Michigan Energy First, and several other DTE Energy executives hold leadership positions and sit on the board of directors.³⁵“Michigan Energy First,” Energy and Policy Institute, Archived March 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/saCT8 

DDC’s work for Michigan Energy First/Alliance for Michigan Power in 2021 and 2022 built off DDC’s past work for DTE Energy. In 2014, DDC won a Silver Pollie award for launching the Alliance for Michigan Power website on behalf of DTE Energy.³⁶ “DDC Advocacy Wins Four Pollie Awards,” DDC Advocacy, April 7, 2014. Archived April 10, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DMXov In 2020, DDC set up DTE Energy’s political action committee.³⁷“DTE Energy PAC: Introducing a unique ambassador to increase visibility and participation,” DDC, c. 2021. Archived October 28, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bCXhZ

As DDC managed its social media in 2021, Alliance for Michigan Power launched a social media campaign opposing a state bill that would allow more rooftop solar power generation.⁴⁰“Sign the Petition: Energy Policy Should Benefit All Michigan Consumers, Not a Few Energy Developers,” Alliance for Michigan Power, 2021. Archived 17, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XHjPf The ads claimed that HB 4236 would benefit “out-of-state” solar developers at the expense of Michigan consumers and even the state’s climate goals. DTE Energy had testified in opposition to the bill in front of the Michigan House Energy Committee.⁴¹“Michigan utilities’ front groups begin misleading ad campaigns ahead of a vote on energy legislation,” Energy and Policy Institute, March 30, 2021. Archived March 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QFiNN  
HB 4236 failed to make it out of the House Energy Committee.⁴².“​​Michigan LCV Campaign Holds Accountable House Energy Chair For Blocking Action To Remove Unnecessary Cap On Affordable Rooftop Solar,” Michigan League of Conservation Voters, December 7, 2021. Archived January 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/g7v0V DTE Energy and other Michigan utilities donated over $78,000 to House Energy Committee Chair Joe Bellino from 2016 to 2021.

In 2023, DDC won an Indigo award for designing the Alliance for Michigan Power’s website, highlighting “reliable, clean and affordable energy.”⁴³“Indigo Design Award Winners: Alliance for Michigan Power by DDC Public Affairs,” Indigo Design Awards, 2023. Archived July 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GS19H

We Stand for Energy campaign for Edison Electric Institute

At the June 2014 Edison Electric Institute Convention,⁴⁵“The EEI’s Campaign for Electric Utility Industry Supremacy,” Power, July 1, 2014. Archived May 29, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5Ntgh DDC helped launch the astroturf group We Stand for Energy.⁴⁶Matt Kasper. “PR Firm Behind American Gas Association Front Group also Member, Consultant for Edison Electric Institute,” DeSmog, June 20, 2017. The campaign created the appearance of grassroots support behind the utilities industry’s opposition to rooftop solar. 

Edison Electric Institute featured the DDC-registered campaign website westandforenergy.com as an associate member on its website through 2018.⁴⁷Matt Kasper. “PR Firm Behind American Gas Association Front Group also Member, Consultant for Edison Electric Institute,” DeSmog, June 20, 2017. ⁴⁸“Associate Member Directory: DDC Advocacy,” Edison Electric Institute, Archived April 22, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Md6bg From 2014 to 2018, the Edison Electric Institute paid DDC over $3.9 million.

We Stand for Energy created advertisements urging viewers to support Indiana Senate Bill 309 and New Mexico Senate Bill 209, which would have harmed rooftop solar.⁴⁹“Bill Text: IN SB0309 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced,” Legiscan, 2017. Archived July 15, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Nbtyn Another set of ads from the campaign⁵⁰“Tell Legislators: Say No to Unfair Energy Policies!” We Stand for Energy, published by Energy and Policy Institute, 2017. Archived August 16, 2019. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. urged viewers in Maine to oppose LD 1504, which would have encouraged rooftop solar through net metering.⁵¹Dave Anderson. “How Central Maine Power killed a popular pro-rooftop solar bill,” Energy and Policy Institute, August 21, 2017. Archived April 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gwQW6 DDC attended Edison Electric Institute’s annual external affairs meeting in 2017.⁵²“Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA,” Environmental Protection Agency, March 2019. Archived February 23, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

South Portland Tar Sands campaign “Save Our Working Waterfront”

In August 2013, residents of South Portland qualified a ballot initiative to prevent Portland Harbor from becoming a shipping hub for oil from Canada’s tar sands.⁵⁵Seth Koenig. “South Portland becomes ground zero for Maine tar sands debate; new rules headed for vote,” Bangor Daily News, August 19, 2013. Archived January 24, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Y11Bf With only 25,000 people, South Portland became “ground zero” for the debate over oil flowing from Canada’s tar sands with this proposed ordinance, in the words of a local newspaper. Oil from Canada’s tar sands is some of the most carbon-dense in the world, with up to 20 percent higher emissions.⁵⁶Lindsey J. Smith. “How Canada’s Oil Sands ‘Bankrolled the Assault on Truth’,” DeSmog, September 20, 2022. The oil industry spent $750,000 to defeat the initiative; $172,000 went to DDC for a canvassing campaign.⁵⁷“Inside the Big Oil Playbook: Strategies and Tactics used in the Industry’s Battle to Ship Tar Sands Oil Out of Casco Bay,” Environment Maine, July 2014. Archived June 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.  

The Maine Energy Marketers Association set up a coalition group, Save Our Working Waterfront,⁵⁸“Save Our Working Waterfront,” No on WPO, 2013. Archived December 12, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/I4B6c funded by the American Petroleum Institute, Irving Oil, Gulf Oil, and the Portland Pipe Line Company, which is majority-owned by ExxonMobil.⁵⁹“Maine Energy Marketers Association 24 Hour Report of Contributions and Expenditures,” City of South Portland, November 1, 2013. Archived June 25, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. The Maine Energy Marketers Association hired DDC to organize a canvassing campaign opposing the ballot initiative. DDC printed mailings⁶⁰ “2013 Campaign Finance Report: Maine Energy Marketers Association,” City of South Portland, December 17, 2013. Archived July 29, 2024. Archived .pdf available on DeSmog Document Cloud. sent to residents of South Portland, which claimed the ballot initiative was not about tar sands and would instead shut down the harbor and lead to local job losses.⁶¹Justin Mikulka. “Maine Residents Fight American Petroleum Institute Lobbyists Over Ban on Tar Sands Shipments,” DeSmog, July 21, 2014. 

The oil industry defeated the measure by less than 200 votes in November 2013.⁶²David Harry. “More than $800,000 spent on tar sands ordinance campaigns in South Portland,” Bangor Daily News, December 19, 2023. Archived June 25, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. However, South Portland’s City Council quickly proposed the Clear Skies Ordinance, which would ban tar sands oil from being loaded onto ships at the local port. 

API’s Energy Citizens front group, managed in part by DDC, began running ads in South Portland newspapers in February 2014.⁶⁴“Inside the Big Oil Playbook: Strategies and Tactics used in the Industry’s Battle to Ship Tar Sands Oil Out of Casco Bay,” Environment Maine, July 2014. Archived June 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. The ads supported oil from tar sands, saying, “It’s Just Oil. From Canada,” and directed readers to itsjustoil.org, a website operated by DDC.⁶⁵ “Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived April 21, 2019. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. The ads ran weekly through June 2014.⁶⁶“Inside the Big Oil Playbook: Strategies and Tactics used in the Industry’s Battle to Ship Tar Sands Oil Out of Casco Bay,” Environment Maine, July 2014. Archived June 10, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 

South Portland’s City Council voted to adopt the Clear Skies ordinance in July 2014, effectively blocking the oil industry from using South Portland’s port to ship tar sands oil to international markets.⁶⁷Roger Drouin. “How a Town in Maine Is Blocking an Exxon Tar-Sands Pipeline,” Mother Jones, July 24, 2014. Archived July 29, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FG5EY 

Stance on Climate Change

As of July 2024, DDC had not made a public commitment to sustainability. In 2023, its parent company, Omnicom, committed to reducing its Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 46.2 percent by 2030 compared to its 2019 baseline⁶⁸“Protect Our Planet,” Omnicom Group, 2023. Archived July 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JwnmK 
Dan Sweet, DDC’s Senior VP of its Healthcare practice, published a piece on the DDC website discussing climate change’s harmful effects on health: “The effects of rising sea levels, increased temperatures, and extreme weather events are increasing the incidence and severity of disease, straining healthcare systems across the globe, and reducing access to healthcare for many communities.”⁶⁹Dan Sweet. “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Health Will Take Unprecedented Cooperation,” DDC Public Affairs, December 2023. Archived July 29, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/fXb1j

Funding

DDC’s parent company, Omnicom, does not report its individual subsidiaries’ revenue. In 2023, Omnicom reported revenues of $14.692 billion.⁷⁰“Omnicom Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results,” Omnicom, February 6, 2024. Archived March 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/behea.

Key People

BR McConnon founded DDC in 1996 and was the CEO until he left the firm in 2022.⁷¹Ewan Larkin. “Omnicom PR Group Names Fleischer DDC CEO,” PR Week, 2022. Archived September 20, 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. He formerly worked for Citizens for a Sound Economy, an anti-regulation conservative group.⁷²Ben Quinn and Mark Sweney. “Tobacco firm begins ‘stealth-marketing’ campaign against plain packaging,” The Guardian, June 7, 2013. Archived March 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xFXmB

Leadership 

Name	Current Title	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Michael Fleischer	CEO	✅	✅	✅
Gina Cherwin	Chief Operating and People Officer	✅	✅
Jen Miller	Chief Strategy Officer	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Kevin Lawlor	Chief Political Officer	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Michael Shue	Chief Growth Officer	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Bill Toye	Senior Vice President	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Brad Whitford	Senior VP, Creative	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Elizabeth Gerke	Senior VP, Chief of Staff	✅
Hunter Hamilton	Senior VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Joey Smith	Senior VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Katie Wright	Senior VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Michael McGovern	Senior VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Peter Sherman	Executive VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Shannon Manning	Senior VP	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

Actions

April 18, 2024

The Sacramento Bee reported that Chevron placed signs at some of its California gas stations that read “Filling up your tank is a lot cheaper in other states. Scan here to do something about it” next to a QR code.⁷⁴Stephanie Finucane. “Save your advertising dollars, Big Oil. Californians already know gas ain’t cheap,” The Sacramento Bee, April 18, 2022. Archived April 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/APxt2 The QR code led to the Chevron Advocacy Network website. This Chevron project directs people to call or write to their local representatives to support the fossil fuel industry.⁷⁵“Policymakers are Driving Up California’s Gas Prices,” Chevron Advocacy Network, Accessed July 8, 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. 

DDC managed Chevron Advocacy Network’s Facebook page⁷⁶“Chevron Advocacy Network,” Chevron Advocacy Network Facebook page, accessed July 9, 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at Desmog. and lobbied for Chevron in California from October 2023⁷⁷“Form 635: Report of Lobbyist Employer, Chevron U.S.A, Inc. and Affiliates,” California Secretary of State, March 18, 2024. Archived June 26, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. to at least April 2024.⁷⁸“Form 635: Report of Lobbyist Employer, Chevron U.S.A, Inc. and Affiliates,” California Secretary of State, April 30, 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive .pdf available at DeSmog.

April 30, 2024

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget, in partnership with Democrats from the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, released documents related to DDC’s work for the American Petroleum Institute. The documents included API’s contracts with DDC from 2015⁸⁰“API_00011087: API Contract No. 2015- 110002,” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, April 30, 2024. Archived May 1, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. to 2021.⁸¹“API_00011326: API Contract No. 2021 – 114398,” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform, April 30, 2024. Archived May 1, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. According to these contracts, DDC created video ads and websites for API’s public relations campaigns and built the website infrastructure for API’s political action committee. 

October 2023⁸²“Citizens for Tobacco Rights,” Citizens for Tobacco Rights, archived October 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3piU7

DDC launched⁸³“Experience,” Annmarie Zachariah LinkedIn Account, 2024. Archived July 13, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.  a new website for the Philip Morris front group Citizens for Tobacco Rights.⁸⁴“Citizen’s for Tobacco Rights – Website Rebrand,” Ann Zachariah Design, c. 2023. Archived July 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/B7Rmm

June 2023

DDC won an Indigo Award for its work on the Alliance for Michigan Power website.⁸⁵“Indigo Design Award Winners: Alliance for Michigan Power by DDC Public Affairs,” Indigo Design Awards, June 2023. Archived July 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GS19H 

June 12, 2022

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources requested documents from DDC related to its work for fossil fuel clients.⁸⁶Letter from Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva and Katie Porter to B.R. McConnon, III, Chairman and CEO of DDC Public Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, June 12, 2022. Archived August 26, 2022.

2019

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) paid DDC $966,500⁸⁷“Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax for National Association of Manufacturers,” Internal Revenue Service, October 21, 2020. Archived July 10, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. to run a campaign to bolster support for gas among Democrats, according to a case study on its website.⁸⁸“Changing the narrative for a major trade association,” DDC Public Affairs, c. 2020. Archived December 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Vf7sQ The case study is on a webpage labeled “NAM – DDC Public Affairs,” although the case study does not mention NAM by name. As part of the campaign, DDC placed pieces in USA Today, the Albuquerque Journal, the Detroit News, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. According to DDC’s website, in 2019, the campaign sent 975 letters to elected officials and engaged lawmakers in Virginia, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. “The campaign’s success in all three facets – voice recruitment, contact with elected officials, and earned media – helped it improve natural gas’ perception with our key audience,” said DDC.

June 2018

DDC registered the Explore Offshore website for the American Petroleum Institute.⁹¹“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn Explore Offshore was a campaign to build support for offshore drilling among Hispanic and Black voters,⁹²Valerie Volcovici. “Big Oil eyes U.S. minority groups to build offshore drilling support,” Reuters, June 22, 2018. Archived July 12, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5qs4e  who, in a January 2018 Pew Poll, mostly opposed opening the coasts to oil and gas exploration.⁹³Bradley Jones. “More Americans oppose than favor increased offshore drilling,” Pew Research Center, January 30, 2018. Archived May 25, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bptw8 Explore Offshore enlisted minority groups to sign op-eds in favor of offshore drilling published in Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia newspapers.⁹⁴Evlondo Cooper. “Oil industry enlists minority groups to publish pro-drilling op-eds,” Media Matters, July 5, 2018. Archived March 2, 2024.  Archive URL: https://archive.ph/E9U24 

2018

DDC registered the website NoSevTax.com for the American Petroleum Institute’s campaign against a Pennsylvania severance tax on gas drilling.⁹⁶“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn API’s Energy Nation website directed viewers to NoSevTax.com to take action against a tax that API said would “threaten jobs, stall economic growth, and harm our communities.”⁹⁷“Say No to the Severance Tax,” Energy Nation, c. 2018. Archived August 22, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AFIO6
Energy Nation was an API project that presented itself as a grassroots organization of employees in the oil and gas industry.⁹⁸“We are Energy Nation,” Energy Nation, archived August 15, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0SJT4

October 25, 2017

DDC representative Bill Bertles attended Edison Electric Institute’s Annual External Affairs meeting in Washington, D.C.⁹⁹“Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA,” Environmental Protection Agency, March 2019. Archived February 23, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

May 24, 2017

The May 2017 Virginia Chamber of Commerce Energy & Sustainability Conference sponsored Your Energy America, where it debuted.¹⁰⁰“2017 Energy & Sustainability Conference,” originally published by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, file published by DeSmog, May 2017. Archived December 8, 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog. DeSmog reported that an anonymous source who attended the Virginia Chamber of Commerce event saw Ryan Lowry, a vice president at DDC, wearing a Your Energy Virginia name tag.

2015

DDC helped¹⁰¹“Jim Scott Polsinelli – DMAS Are you at the Public Affairs Council #DMAS17? Make sure you catch JSP at 11:15am today as he speaks on creating best-in-class videos for your program!” DDC Public Affairs Facebook account, June 13, 2017. Archived .jpg available at DeSmog. ConocoPhillips relaunch its advocacy website Power in Cooperation.¹⁰²“ConocoPhillips: There’s Power in Cooperation,” Jim Scott Creates, c. 2018. Archived 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bNT2h 
“ConocoPhillips (COP) is one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas. They have many outspoken critics and most of the dialogue is noticeably one-sided. To insert COP’s voice in the conversation and address the divisiveness of energy exploration, we overhauled their advocacy website Power in Cooperation. We began by offering a platform for employees, retirees, vendors and contractors to share the facts and their personal stories how smart energy policies help build healthy, vibrant communities,” wrote DDC’s Jim Scott Polsinelli.¹⁰³“ConocoPhilips: There’s Power in Cooperation,” Jim Scott Creates, c. 2018. Archived January 5, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tKVqZ

April 7, 2014

DDC won a Silver Pollie award for its work on behalf of DTE Energy for the Alliance for Michigan Power website.¹⁰⁴“DDC Advocacy Wins Four Pollie Awards,” DDC Advocacy, April 7, 2014. Archived April 10, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DMXov

December 9, 2013

At the Women in Advocacy conference, ADVOCATESinDC’s Megan Abboud, API’s Tara Anderson, and DDC’s Jen Miller spoke during an event titled “The Evolution of Energy Citizens.”¹⁰⁵“Great session on The Evolution of Energy Citizens #WIA13 with Meggan Abboud, Jen Miller, and Tara Anderson @DDCAdvocacy,” Stephanie Mikos X Account, December 9, 2013. Archived June 25, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.

December 2012

DDC registered the Stop Wind Subsidies website for utility company Exelon as the federal government considered whether to renew wind’s production tax credit.¹⁰⁶“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn The website encouraged Exelon employees to write to their representative in Congress opposing the wind production credit renewal,¹⁰⁷“Stop Wind Subsidies,” Stop Wind Subsidies Exelon Action Network, Archived December 30, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/70Mal which Exelon said hurt its nuclear operations in the Midwest and other windy markets.¹⁰⁸Herman K. Trabish. “Utility Exelon Wants to Kill Wind and Solar Subsidies While Keeping Nukes,” Greentech Media, April 1, 2014. Archived February 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6rXqe 

“It’s time for government to stop picking energy winners and losers,” read the website.¹⁰⁹“Stop Wind Subsidies,” Stop Wind Subsidies Exelon Action Network, Archived December 30, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/70Mal

March 2012

DDC registered a website affiliated with API’s Energy Citizens campaign, nonewenergytax.org.¹¹⁰“Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn The website urged visitors to write to Ohio Governor John Kasich, who was considering a severance tax on oil and gas production.¹¹¹“Tell Governor Kasich: No New Energy Taxes,” No New Energy Tax, archived May 8, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TQpQi The website claimed this tax on oil and gas producers could push them to other states with more favorable tax structures. 
When Republicans in Ohio’s state legislature rejected the severance tax proposal after a burst of oil and gas lobbying, Kasich said “special interests” influenced them.¹¹²Joe Guillen. “Wary of a tax hike on drillers, GOP lawmakers remove Gov. John Kasich’s income tax cut from budget proposal,” Cleveland.com, March 17, 2012. Archived May 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RSP1i

September 2009

DDC registered the Alliance for Jobs and Affordable Energy website, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce front group created to defeat the 2009 Cap and Trade Climate Bill.¹¹³ “Front Group Websites Hosted by DDC Advocacy,” Climate Investigations Center, 2018. Archived May 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kRvyn The Alliance said, “We represent individuals, families, consumers, and small business owners who consider themselves economically realistic and environmentally aware.”¹¹⁴Mike Allan. “Playbook: Robert Pear: Baucus proposes a ‘new fee on insurance companies’ to appeal to Snowe — Candidates to replace Diane on ‘GMA’ — Tidbits from ‘Almanac 2010′,” POLITICO, September 7, 2009. Archived August 15, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0dq08 The Alliance claimed that cap and trade would cause American energy prices to skyrocket.¹¹⁵“Senate Democrats Unveil Climate Change Bill,” ABC News, September 30, 2009. Archived February 2, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4QHQ8
The Alliance for Jobs and Affordable Energy website said the American Clean Energy and Security Act “Will do little, if anything, to benefit the environment, as some of the world’s leading contributors to carbon emissions—nations like China, India, and Russia—have indicated they will not participate in any scheme that will limit their economic growth.”¹¹⁶“Issues and Facts,” Alliance for Jobs and Affordable Energy, 2009. Archived August 16, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wsDXl

July 2008

The Washington Post reported that DDC relied on 500 contract workers to call nationwide, asking Americans to sign letters supporting legislation.¹¹⁷Jeffrey H. Birnbaum. “The Cold Calls Behind Those Personal Letters to Congress,” The Washington Post, July 1, 2008. Archived June 13, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ni9A8 Lobbyists and industry groups paid DDC $75 to $125 per letter sent, with more complex campaigns fetching higher prices per letter. DDC contractors would often draft the letters for the people they contacted, who would then send them to representatives in Congress. In 2007, DDC conducted 39 of these outreach campaigns.

Related Organizations

Parent Company: Omnicom Group

Your Energy America

Contact & Address

1615 L St NW Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 

202.830.2038 

www.ddcpublicaffairs.com

Social Media

• Facebook: DDC Public Affairs
• Instagram: @DDCpublicaffairs
• X: @DDCAdvocacy
• LinkedIn: DDC Advocacy

Other Resources

• Democracy, Data & Communications profile by the Climate Investigations Center
• Your Energy America profile by the Energy and Policy Institute 
• Energy Citizens “Just Like You”? Public Relations Campaigning by the Climate Change Countermovement Sassan, Mahat et al. 2023.

Resources

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• 2
  “Omnicom Acquires DDC Advocacy,” O’Dwyer’s PR, December 9, 2014. Archived June 11, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/tOclS
• 3
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• 6
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• 8
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• 10
  Lee Fang. “Is Your Boss Going to ‘Mine’ Your Vote? More Corporations Step Up Coercion,” The Nation, October 19, 2012. Archived March 24, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FGXmY
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• 13
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  “Are You Ready For The Race? Join Energy Citizens and Enter for a Chance to Win,” Energy Race Fans, archived July 21, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pW6tl
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• 23
  Jim Scott Polsinelli. “America Petroleum Institute: Energy Citizens,” Jim Scott Creates, archived January 25, 2020. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.“Jim Scott Polsinelli – Chief Creative Officer,” Marathon Strategies, archived September 26, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ClA9t
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  Charlie Spano. “Testimony to the Environmental Quality Board:  Environmental Protection Performance Standards at Oil and Gas Well Sites,” received March 12, 2014 by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Archived June 25, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
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• 29
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• 30
  “DDC Advocacy Wins Four Pollie Awards,” DDC Advocacy, April 7, 2014. Archived April 10, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DMXov
• 31
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• 39
  [Advertisement]. “AMP urges Michigan lawmakers to resolve in 2022 to support a diverse mix of clean energy solutions. A blend of sources—wind, solar, natural gas, hydro power, and other sources—keeps energy affordable and reliable for all Michiganders and will help us move toward net zero carbon emissions. Learn more and share: https://bit.ly/3ggF45p,” Alliance for Michigan Power, Meta Ad Library, July 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 40
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• 41
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• 42
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• 43
  “Indigo Design Award Winners: Alliance for Michigan Power by DDC Public Affairs,” Indigo Design Awards, 2023. Archived July 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GS19H
• 44
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• 45
  “The EEI’s Campaign for Electric Utility Industry Supremacy,” Power, July 1, 2014. Archived May 29, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5Ntgh
• 46
  Matt Kasper. “PR Firm Behind American Gas Association Front Group also Member, Consultant for Edison Electric Institute,” DeSmog, June 20, 2017.
• 47
  Matt Kasper. “PR Firm Behind American Gas Association Front Group also Member, Consultant for Edison Electric Institute,” DeSmog, June 20, 2017.
• 48
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• 49
  “Bill Text: IN SB0309 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced,” Legiscan, 2017. Archived July 15, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Nbtyn
• 50
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• 51
  Dave Anderson. “How Central Maine Power killed a popular pro-rooftop solar bill,” Energy and Policy Institute, August 21, 2017. Archived April 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gwQW6
• 52
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• 53
  [Advertisement]. “Library ID: 501375907005967:The subsidies proposed by SBs 446 and 365 amount to another tax on energy – tell your Legislator to make sure these added costs don’t get passed on to you!” Meta Ad Library, September 2018. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 54
  [We Stand for Energy Advertisement]”The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will spur even further job growth in Virginia. We just need the State Water Board to certify the analysis by the Army Corps of Engineers, approving the project. Tell the State Water Board: Bring on the jobs!” Meta Ad Library, May 9, 2018. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 55
  Seth Koenig. “South Portland becomes ground zero for Maine tar sands debate; new rules headed for vote,” Bangor Daily News, August 19, 2013. Archived January 24, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Y11Bf
• 56
  Lindsey J. Smith. “How Canada’s Oil Sands ‘Bankrolled the Assault on Truth’,” DeSmog, September 20, 2022.
• 57
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• 58
  “Save Our Working Waterfront,” No on WPO, 2013. Archived December 12, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/I4B6c
• 59
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• 60
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• 61
  Justin Mikulka. “Maine Residents Fight American Petroleum Institute Lobbyists Over Ban on Tar Sands Shipments,” DeSmog, July 21, 2014.
• 62
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• 63
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• 64
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• 65
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• 67
  Roger Drouin. “How a Town in Maine Is Blocking an Exxon Tar-Sands Pipeline,” Mother Jones, July 24, 2014. Archived July 29, 2014. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FG5EY
• 68
  “Protect Our Planet,” Omnicom Group, 2023. Archived July 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JwnmK
• 69
  Dan Sweet. “The Impact of Climate Change on Global Health Will Take Unprecedented Cooperation,” DDC Public Affairs, December 2023. Archived July 29, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/fXb1j
• 70
  “Omnicom Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results,” Omnicom, February 6, 2024. Archived March 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/behea.
• 71
  Ewan Larkin. “Omnicom PR Group Names Fleischer DDC CEO,” PR Week, 2022. Archived September 20, 2022. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 72
  Ben Quinn and Mark Sweney. “Tobacco firm begins ‘stealth-marketing’ campaign against plain packaging,” The Guardian, June 7, 2013. Archived March 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xFXmB
• 73
   “Policymakers are Driving Up California’s Gas Prices,” Chevron Advocacy Network, Accessed July 8, 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archived .pdf available at DeSmog.
• 74
  Stephanie Finucane. “Save your advertising dollars, Big Oil. Californians already know gas ain’t cheap,” The Sacramento Bee, April 18, 2022. Archived April 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/APxt2
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• 81
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• 83
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• 84
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• 85
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• 86
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• 87
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• 88
  “Changing the narrative for a major trade association,” DDC Public Affairs, c. 2020. Archived December 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Vf7sQ
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• 92
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• 100
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• 101
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• 102
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• 103
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• 104
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• 105
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• 106
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• 107
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• 108
  Herman K. Trabish. “Utility Exelon Wants to Kill Wind and Solar Subsidies While Keeping Nukes,” Greentech Media, April 1, 2014. Archived February 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6rXqe 
• 109
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• 110
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• 111
  “Tell Governor Kasich: No New Energy Taxes,” No New Energy Tax, archived May 8, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TQpQi
• 112
  Joe Guillen. “Wary of a tax hike on drillers, GOP lawmakers remove Gov. John Kasich’s income tax cut from budget proposal,” Cleveland.com, March 17, 2012. Archived May 6, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RSP1i
• 113
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• 114
  Mike Allan. “Playbook: Robert Pear: Baucus proposes a ‘new fee on insurance companies’ to appeal to Snowe — Candidates to replace Diane on ‘GMA’ — Tidbits from ‘Almanac 2010′,” POLITICO, September 7, 2009. Archived August 15, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0dq08
• 115
  “Senate Democrats Unveil Climate Change Bill,” ABC News, September 30, 2009. Archived February 2, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4QHQ8
• 116
  “Issues and Facts,” Alliance for Jobs and Affordable Energy, 2009. Archived August 16, 2013. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wsDXl
• 117
  Jeffrey H. Birnbaum. “The Cold Calls Behind Those Personal Letters to Congress,” The Washington Post, July 1, 2008. Archived June 13, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Ni9A8