Roger Salazar, One of California's Most Prominent Media and Crisis Communications Experts, Joins Mercury

Will have responsibilities in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

Firm continues building roster of senior leaders.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mercury announced today that Roger Salazar, one of the nation's most respected and experienced communications professionals, will be joining as managing director and focusing on management, execution, and growth of Mercury's media relations, crisis communications, and public affairs practices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Washington DC, in addition to continuing his efforts on initiative campaigns. Mr. Salazar will also work with Hon. Fabian Nunez on the firm's emerging Hispanic and Spanish language public affairs specialty practice.

Mr. Salazar is a significant addition to the Mercury team. The firm specializes in high-stakes public strategy and continues to build an organization unparalleled in its experience, expertise, and creativity. Most recently, Mercury hired crisis communications and litigation specialist Sara Jones and, in October, the Washington, D.C. office merged with preeminent lobbying firm Clark and Weinstock. The California offices are managed by partners Hon. Fabian Nunez and Adam Mendelsohn.

"Roger Salazar is among the best in the country and an incredible addition to our leadership team," said Mendelsohn. "Our clients are facing increasingly complex challenges and opportunities in a dramatically changing media environment. They require and deserve serious experienced professionals like Roger who understand how to manage challenges and seize the opportunities."

"Roger Salazar and I have worked together in Democratic politics for a long time and he is one of the best," said Nunez. "He has a deep understanding about California issues and brings invaluable experience. Roger is also an important addition to our rapidly growing efforts in building Mercury's national Hispanic public affairs specialty practice."

Prior to joining Mercury, Salazar was co-founder of Acosta|Salazar LLC, which was called "one of the most sought-after firms in Sacramento," and previously was senior vice president for the public affairs firm Porter Novelli. Salazar has served as principal officer for California Working Families for Jerry Brown 2010 – the largest independent expenditure effort in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign; spokesman for the California Democratic Party; political spokesman for California State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez; campaign press secretary for California Governor Gray Davis; and served on the podium press team for the 2004 and 2008 Democratic National Conventions.

Salazar's experience as a media spokesperson for other prominent officials — including President Bill Clinton (Assistant Press Secretary, The White House); Vice President Al Gore (Deputy Press Secretary, White House OVP/Gore 2000); U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman (Deputy Press Secretary); and U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal–Allard (Press Secretary) make him an expert in strategic media communications.

Salazar was recognized as one of the "Top 100 California Political Power Brokers" by Capitol Weekly newspaper in 2009, 2010 and 2011; "Top 50 California Democratic Influencers" by Campaigns and Elections magazine in 2010; the "100 Most Influential Hispanics in America" by Hispanic Business Magazine for his work on the Gore campaign in 2000; and the "Hot New Spinning Star" for his work on the Gray Davis campaign in 2002 by California Political Week.

About Mercury
Mercury (www.mercurypublicaffairs.com) is a high-stakes public strategy firm with offices in Washington, DC, New York, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in addition to its California offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Salazar will be joining a talented team of experienced and dynamic professionals. Mercury California clients include Fortune 10 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and high-profile individuals spanning diverse industries including technology, energy, health care, sports, entertainment and automotive.

SOURCE Mercury Public Affairs