Wrapping Up Black History Month with MBE Night!

 

 

 

 

For the second year, Compass PR coordinated branding and media relations for the Minority Business (MBE) Night in Annapolis. This year’s event attracted over 700 businesses from throughout the state and featured top state officials including special guest Governor Wes Moore. We developed the website, print and digital signage, program collateral, and facilitated media coverage.

Read what the Afro and WYPR had to say about the event:
https://afro.com/black-entrepreneurs-and-elected-officials-gather-for-mbe-night-in-annapolis/
https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-03-06/heres-3-bills-to-watch-in-the-maryland-general-assembly-meant-to-boost-the-small-business-economy

 

See more photos here.

March 2023 PR Navigator

Political Strategy: Phone Campaigns

An important advocacy tool to influence public opinion is implementing phone campaigns. We have the ability and find that clients are successful when we develop campaigns to mobilize constituents to support or oppose policies heard before state, local and federal governments.

Compass Public Relations has the ability to target specific demographics to send a specific message. We can send through live calls, which are effective in persuading legislators. Compass PR consultants often work in tandem with lobbyists in employing such calls to advance or defeat legislation pending in Delaware, Maryland or at the local level.

We can help frame a message for or against legislation and then facilitate targeting key legislators who may play a decision-making role on such issues. Then dozens – or even hundreds – of live constituent phone calls are generated into legislators’ offices.

Compass PR: Political Strategy

The legislative session has convened in Maryland and Delaware, so it’s time for your organization’s voice to be heard. In today’s complex and information-saturated world, simply having a good cause and dedicated supporters may not be enough for your coalition or campaign to thrive. At Compass Advocacy, our Public Relations services act as a multiplier for your efforts, bringing years of advocacy experience and long-term relationships with the legislature. Through our industry expertise, large network, and tested political campaign strategies, we position our clients in front of key legislative allies that produce tangible results. 

Working at the intersection of business and government, our public relations firm develops authentic and compelling campaigns that mobilize constituents to support or oppose policies heard before state, local, and federal governments. As part of such services, our public relations specialists can facilitate patch-thru phone calls from constituents to legislators, letters to elected officials, polling and public opinion surveys, and much more. Additionally, identifying influential figures is essential for gaining traction and achieving your goals. Our team leverages targeted campaign strategies to find and engage committees, legislators, or third parties with your messaging. 

While your grassroots campaign or coalition may be passionate and dedicated, Compass can provide crucial amplification, such as phone, website, and email strategies to boost your message to the right decision-makers. Broad exposure and compelling narratives strengthens your voice, builds public trust, and increases your chances of making an impact. In the unique political landscapes of Delaware and Maryland, Compass can help your organization navigate the many legislative and public relations nuances–get started today!

 

Targeted Campaigns and Website Design

Are you looking to get your message in front of legislators and key decision-makers? We’re here to help you advocate your organization’s issues at the right time and to the right people. Through targeted campaigns to legislators, our team will design and implement call-to-action pages to generate emails, texts, and phone calls. This targeted feature on your website will enable constituents and advocacy groups to engage directly with their legislator based on their district. Whether that be for a particular bill or topic area, Compass can help advance your advocacy efforts to shape policy and public opinion.

Simple as that, your message can be sent to those who need to hear it! Reach out to our Public Relations team today to learn more!

Post-Elections Grassroots Advocacy

Now that General Elections are in our rear-view mirror (even if votes are still being counted…), we will look forward to General Assembly Sessions approaching in 2023.

With Maryland’s session opening on January 11, and Delaware’s starting January 10, you may need to begin to develop a strategy to shape public and legislator opinion.
Compass Public Relations can help you and your association, coalition, or organization generate emails to members’ elected officials in favor or against an issue or bill introduced. We can create websites that route emails to legislators, as well as create portals to ensure ease while getting your messaging through to decision makers.

This can be a simple add-on to a current contract, or an engagement on its own, the sky is the limit! Compass Public Relations is here to help you navigate 2023.

Actively Engaging Congress Through Strategic Public Relations

Are you looking to get your message in front of Members of Congress? Compass Public Relations is here to help you advocate your organization’s issues at the right time and to the right people through targeted federal campaigns. We’ll assist in identifying your organization’s priorities to foster engagement with policymakers and their staff, media outlets, and key external audiences.

Here are ways that the Compass PR team can advance your advocacy efforts to shape policy and public opinion:

  1. Schedule site visits to your organization with Members of Congress and their staff
  2. Coordinate letters from advocacy groups, business associations, and subject matter experts to Members of Congress
  3. Gather placement of Op-Eds in local and national media outlets
  4. Craft tailored and clear messaging to help all stakeholders understand the importance of your organization’s issues

Addison Pruitt

Addison is a Principal of Government Relations and Director of Public Relations at Compass Advocacy. Wearing both hats, Addison connects the dots between government advocacy and brand strategy, helping clients on projects ranging from lobbying to logo design.

Government Relations

Prior to joining Compass in 2021, he served as the Communications Specialist for the U.S. Architect of the Capitol’s historic Cannon Renewal Project, where he coordinated messaging and outreach initiatives to House Members, staff, and key congressional stakeholders.

Addison also spent three years in the Maryland General Assembly as Chief of Staff to Delegate Darryl Barnes, Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. In this role, he worked on legislation to improve equity, procurement, and funding opportunities for minority businesses and disadvantaged communities across the state of Maryland.

Public Relations

Aside from his political experience, Addison has helped several nonprofits and businesses in the Greater Washington Region, providing consulting services in branding, graphic design, website development, and multimedia. With a spirit for community and collaboration, he launched a creative pop-up event series in 2017 for young professionals to connect through arts and music.

Additional Background

Addison studied Marketing with a concentration in Product and Brand Management at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a lifelong resident of Prince George’s County and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Morgan Mills

As Director of Government Relations, she offers insightful policy analysis and political strategy for our clients in Maryland and on the federal level, as well as assisting with ethics compliance for the government relations team. Morgan Mills joined the Compass Government Relations team in October 2021. Prior to joining Compass, she spent two sessions with Delegate Williams at the Maryland General Assembly, crafting policy, offering legislative support, and handling constituent services.

Born and raised in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Morgan is a graduate of UMBC, where she studied Political Science.

When she’s not working, Morgan enjoys hiking with her dog, camping, and spending time with her family.

Robert J. Garagiola

A triple threat for Compass, former Maryland state Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola serves as a Principal of Compass Government Relations and as the President of Compass Public Relations and Compass Law. With over 30 years of legislative, lobbying, and advocacy experience at the federal, state, and local levels of government, and nearly 25 years practicing law in D.C. and MD, Rob plays a leading role in managing the Compass leadership team and nurturing the firm’s enterprise growth and innovation.

Government Relations

As a former state Senator who served on the energy and health committees, including as Chairman of the Health Subcommittee and as Chair of the Joint Committee on Healthcare Delivery and Financing, Rob is an expert on energy, tax, healthcare, business regulation, and procurement matters, Rob lobbies for clients in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. As a former elected official, he understands the inner workings of government. Prior to becoming a state Senator, he spent close to a decade on Capitol Hill – both as a lobbyist and senior staffer for U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., who is now the top Democrat on the Energy & Commerce Committee.

Law Practice 

Rob is a business attorney and a business owner. He uses his legal and practical experiences to benefit his corporate clients and has represented clients on business law matters in nearly every sector, ranging from accounting firms to physician practices and restaurants to consulting firms, as well as trade associations and nonprofits. Rob advises clients on general business, employment, and commercial leasing matters, helping them form and grow companies, draft corporate governance documents, and provide counsel on various contract issues. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2016.

Public Relations

Having run for office at the state and federal levels, Rob has extensive media and communications experience. For over a decade, he has helped clients with various grassroots advocacy efforts to affect and shape public opinion on a range of issues. Rob has also worked with clients to develop innovative strategies to convey their message before traditional media, digital media, and other venues.

Additional Background

Rob served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1995 to 2003 and received his jump wings in 2000. He is a member of various nonprofit boards, including those with a focus on the arts, healthcare, renewable energy, and public safety. He is married to Hannah Powers Garagiola, the founder of Compass Advocacy, and has five children and a Jack Russell Terrier named Oyster. In his spare time, he enjoys boating, traveling, reading, and cooking.

Practice Areas

Government Relations

  • Business Regulation
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Procurement
  • Taxation & Fees

Public Relations

  • Communications
  • Grassroots & Political Campaign Strategy
  • Public Affairs & Coalition Building

Law

  • Business Law
  • Contracts & Commercial Leases
  • Employment/Labor Law

Team Spotlight: Addison Pruitt

Addison connects the dots between government advocacy and communications on behalf of Compass clients. Prior to joining Compass, he served as Communications Specialist for the U.S. Architect of the Capitol, where he coordinated messaging and led outreach initiatives to House Members, staff, and key congressional stakeholders.

As the former Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Delegate Darryl Barnes, Addison led the office’s marketing and strategic communication efforts, serving as a liaison for constituents on all legislative activities.

Addison has also worked with several nonprofits and businesses, providing consulting services in brand identity, graphic design, web development, and multimedia.

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