| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Lobbying |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Key people | Anthony T. Podesta, Chairman Kimberley Fritts, CEO |
| Products | Government relations |
| Revenue | N/A |
| Employees | 70 |
| Website | podesta.com |
The Podesta Group is a lobbying and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C.. It was founded in 1988 by brothers John Podesta and Tony Podesta and has previously been known as Podesta Associates, podesta.com and PodestaMattoon.[1][2][3] The firm most recently reorganized in January 2007 after current Chairman Tony Podesta split with former business partner Dan Mattoon.[4]
Podesta Group represents U.S. corporations, as well as non-profits, associations and governments.[5] Its "has close ties to the Democratic Party and the Obama administration."[6]
In 2008, the firm reported nearly $16 million in lobbying income.[7] In 2007, Chairman Tony Podesta was ranked by his peers as the third most influential lobbyist in Washington.[8]
The Podesta Group has been retained by Wal-Mart, BP and Lockheed Martin."[6] Other clients include the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, Amgen, Bank Of America, Cherokee Nation (Casinos), Cintas, Covidien, Duke Energy, Egypt, Genentech, General Dynamics, Harrah's Entertainment, Heineken, Merck, Michelin, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), National Public Radio (NPR), Nestle, Novartis, Orange County, Florida, Raytheon, Reed Elsevier, Republic of Georgia, Sallie Mae, Sunoco, Synthetic Genomics, TJX Companies, Tyco Electronics, United Technologies.[9][10], and the Republic of Serbia[11]
In addition, the Podesta Group acts as a lobbyist for Egypt on U.S. policies of concern, activities in Congress and the Executive branch, and developments on the U.S. political scene generally,' according to forms filed with the Justice Department in 2009."[6][12]