• Erik Smith •

Erik Smith is a Senior Counselor at ASGK Public Strategies. Erik provides strategic counsel to corporations, non-profits and individuals on the development and execution of comprehensive communications programs. Most often, these engagements deal with complex issues such as crisis, litigation, legislative challenge, regulatory change and leadership transition.

Smith worked for more than a decade at the intersection of politics and policy as a lead strategist to Senators, Congressmen and party committees. In addition to his experience as a media specialist, Smith has developed an expertise in communicating through crisis, most notably developing a congressional strategy in the days after 9/ll and the anthrax attacks on the Capitol.

Prior to entering private practice, Smith was the senior communications advisor to Rep. Dick Gephardt in both the House Democratic Leader’s office and his 2004 presidential campaign. In these capacities, Smith worked directly with the Congressional leadership, the House Democratic Caucus and Congressional candidates to develop and execute earned media strategy. Most recently, Smith served as paid media advisor to presidential candidate Barack Obama in the general election, managing the design, development and placement of television, radio and Internet advertising.

A veteran of national, statewide and congressional campaigns, Smith has been a featured speaker at forums sponsored by Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, The Annenberg Public Policy Center at The University of Pennsylvania and the Foundation Nationale des Sciences Politiques in Paris. Currently, Smith serves as one of National Journal magazine’s 100 “political insiders” surveyed weekly on newsworthy political and public policy issues.

Smith has been a frequent guest on cable and radio news programs including CNN, FOX News Channel and NPR. While working on Capitol Hill, Smith was regularly recognized by Roll Call newspaper as one of the 50 most powerful staff people in Congress.