Mark Putnam
Click HERE to read Newsweek's profile of Mark.
A founding partner of MURPHY PUTNAM MEDIA, Mark Putnam has been a national political media consultant and campaign strategist for over two decades. In that time, he's written, directed, and produced over a thousand television commercials for Democratic campaigns in 47 states, helping elect six Governors, seven U.S. Senators and dozens of members of the U.S. House and other statewide offices.
Most recently, as a member of the Obama Media Team, he wrote and produced the Barack Obama thirty minute election-eve special "American Stories, American Solutions" that aired simultaneously on seven broadcast and cable networks and was viewed by over 35 million people (beating 2008's American Idol finale). Washington Post television critic Tom Shales called it "Somehow both poetic and practical, spiritual and sensible ... a montage of montages, a series of seamlessly blended segments."
Mark also wrote and produced the Michelle Obama biographical film "South Side Girl" for the 2008 Democratic Convention that Newsweek called "intimate" and "emotional" and The New York Times called "vivid."
Mark's presidential experience also includes writing and producing the Bill Richardson for President "Job Interview" television commercials that were featured in nearly every major news publication and called "the single best ad" leading up to the Iowa Caucuses by George Stephanopolous on ABC News' This Week. During the 2004 election cycle, Mark served as chief speechwriter for Dick Gephardt's presidential campaign.
Mark's international experience includes working with the Czechoslovakian political movement Public Against Violence and producing voter education commercials for Russian parliamentary and referendum elections.
His award winning work includes 39 Pollie Awards from the American Association of Political Consultants, a "Funniest Political Commercial" award from CNN, a Silver Reel Award from the International Television Association, and five Telly Awards.
Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Mark graduated from Brown University with a degree in Molecular Biology. Putting his degree to "good use" Mark joined the political consulting firm Squier-Eskew-Knapp Communications for the 1986 election cycle. In 1987, Mark served as Deputy Southern Coordinator on the Biden for President campaign.
From 1988-1996, Mark was the Creative Director and a lead strategist with the Washington, DC firm of Fenn-King-Murphy-Putnam Communications.
Mark lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife Grace and is immensely proud of their three children – John, Christopher, and Abigail.
Click HERE to read TV Week's story on the making of the Obama 30 Minute Special.
Click HERE to read other articles about the Obama 30 Minute Special.