Players

Understand the industry by identifying the organizations and networks both in and beyond DC

Member organizations and networks

Professional Speechwriters Association

The worldwide network of leadership communication professionals, founded in 2013 by David Murray.  The largest group in the industry, it produces publications like Vital Speeches of the Day, runs the Cicero Awards, hosts conferences, seminars, and trainings, and develops curriculum through the Executive Communications Council. To be more succinct about it, our champion of the industry.

European Speechwriter Network

Operated by Brian Jenner, this group represents a network of 400+ speechwriters based across Europe working in many different languages. Writers have backgrounds in banking, insurance, law, education, health, entertainment and European institutions. ESN hosts events and shares best practices.

Leadership Communications Roundtable

Formerly the New York Speechwriters Roundtable, members work in the corporate, non-profit, and public sectors. LCR represents leadership coaches, speechwriters, storytellers, ghostwriters, scriptwriters, presentation designers, delivery coaches – everyone committed to expressing ideas with power and persuasion is welcome. Led by Dana Rubin, who also built the Speaking While Female Speech Bank.

Speechwriters of Color

Speechwriters of Color is an organization dedicated to advocating for writers of color, amplifying their voices, and promoting representation and professional development in the speechwriting industry. We are a community for aspiring, current, and former speechwriters looking to build community with one another!

Gotham Ghostwriters

Billed as the nation’s premier ghostwriting agency. Founded by Dan Gerstein, CEO. Counts more than 2,500 editorial specialists in our network — and connections to a larger universe of 20,000 freelance pros.

Washington Writers Network

The premier agency of professional writers in Washington, D.C. WWN consists of more than 100 of the nation’s top speechwriters, journalists, columnists, and bloggers. Founded by Rob Noel, former speechwriter at Dept of State and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce network. 

Silicon Valley Speechwriters Group

Operated for a time by Ian Griffen, a former tech speechwriter who retired in 2019. The group hosted Meetups, webinars, and brownbag-style events.

Ragan Communications

A media and training company, who has a specific vertical dedicated to speechwriting, public affairs, and leadership/executive communications, including an annual conference.

Speechwriting and leadership communications agencies

White House Writers Group

A conservative-leaning strategic policy and communications founded in 1993 by five former White House speechwriters, many colleagues from the George H.W. Bush Administration.

West Wing Writers

A progressive communications-strategy firm founded by former Clinton and Obama Administration speechwriters.

SKDKnickerbocker

SKDK is a public affairs and political consulting firm that specializes in working for Democratic Party politicians. It has an executive communications practice led by former Obama speechwriter Stephen Krupin.

Fenway Strategies

Billed as a “new kind of speechwriting and strategic communications firm”, founded in 2013 by former Obama chief speechwriter, Jon Favreau and national security spokesman, Tommy Vietor.

Laurel Strategies

A global business advisory and strategic communications firm for global corporations, financial institutions, investment firms, foundations, NGOs and high profile leaders.