Philip de Vellis

Creator of Landmark Internet Ad Signs on With National Democratic Political Media Consulting Firm

Alexandria, VA, May 1, 2007 - The Democratic political media consulting firm Murphy Putnam Media announced today that Phil de Vellis, a leading Internet strategist and creator of the Apple/Hillary "1984" Internet television ad, was joining the firm as Senior Associate and Vice President for New Media.

"Phil is a trailblazer in political communications," said Mark Putnam, a founding partner of Murphy Putnam Media.  "The use of new media has expanded the reach of political campaigns to engage and empower voters like never before, and Phil is a big part of that transformation.  We're proud to have him on board."

De Vellis' "Vote Different" Internet ad has been viewed online over four million times and was featured on every major U.S. television network, cable news channel, newspaper and political blog.  Before joining Murphy Putnam Media, de Vellis was Director of Internet Communications for Sherrod Brown's successful 2006 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio, and was a senior strategist at Blue State Digital, a progressive Internet consulting firm.

"I am excited to join Murphy Putnam," said de Vellis, "because of their reputation for producing the best political advertising in the country and their appreciation for the importance of new media in today's campaigns.  They get it.  It was a great fit all around."

In addition to political strategy and broadcast media production, Murphy Putnam Media will be unique in the political media consulting world with its expanded range of services and expertise, including Internet strategic services, viral media production, instantaneous web response, and its efforts in exploring the newest frontier of political communications - the growing marketplace of mobile devices.

"The term 'media campaign' has changed profoundly over the last several election cycles," said Steve Murphy, also a founding partner of Murphy Putnam Media, "and we intend to help our clients reach voters wherever they can be found.  While many see the potential of the Internet, few know how to take advantage of it.  Phil has a proven record of creating powerful Internet content and leveraging the Internet to help elect Democratic candidates and promote progressive causes.  He was a natural for our firm."

Murphy Putnam Media has a long history of helping elect Democratic candidates.  In addition to working on Governor Bill Richardson's 2006 gubernatorial and 2008 presidential campaigns, Murphy Putnam Media has also helped elect Governor Phil Bredesen (TN), Governor Brad Henry (OK), Governor Ruth Ann Minner (DE), and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA).  The firm produced independent expenditure advertising for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in three of the most hotly contested U.S. Senate races in the country - helping elect U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (MD), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and U.S. Senator Jon Tester (MT), as well as producing winning media for Representatives John Barrow (GA), Bruce Braley (IA), Bob Etheridge (NC), Stephanie Herseth (SD), Nick Lampson (TX), Stephen Lynch (MA), Jim Marshall (GA), and David Wu (OR).

 Contact: Mark Putnam or Steve Murphy, 703-549-2900