Sachs Media Group, Florida’s dominant public affairs communications firm, today announced that Herbie Thiele has been promoted to the post of Deputy Director of Public Affairs. Thiele will support the activities of the firm’s award-winning public affairs team on behalf of its extensive roster of clients.
Thiele’s promotion, which occurs as preparations for the 2014 Florida legislative session ramp up, enhances the firm’s acclaimed public affairs division. Since joining the firm in early 2009, Thiele has worked with local, state and national clients to develop strategic messaging and tactics, engage target audiences and achieve outstanding results. Recently, Thiele was recognized as one of the “30 Under 30″ rising stars of Florida politics by SaintPetersBlog.
“Herbie is a seasoned communicator with an extensive network of contacts and unmatched person-to-person skills that help us achieve our clients’ objectives,” said Ron Sachs, president and CEO of Sachs Media Group. “Whether the goal is to gain policymaker support, persuade key opinion leaders or energize grassroots advocacy, we are the go-to firm for public affairs and Herbie Thiele is a key part of our team.”
The public affairs division is headed by partner and senior vice president Ryan Banfill, who serves as the firm’s director of strategy and research. Prior to joining the Sachs Media team, Banfill served as senior speechwriter and press secretary to Florida Governor Lawton Chiles. Banfill has also served as a top communications strategist in the Florida House and a staff director in the Florida Senate. Banfill and Thiele will also work closely with public policy veteran Karen Cyphers, who recently joined the firm as senior policy counsel. Cyphers served as policy director for the gubernatorial campaigns of Charlie Crist in 2006 and Bill McCollum in 2010, and as director of health care policy for the Florida Medical Association.
Sachs Media Group has received numerous accolades for its outstanding public affairs work, including the 2008 Florida Public Relations Association Dick Pope All-Florida Golden Image Award and the 2012 Bulldog Reporter Bronze Award for Public Affairs Agency of the Year.