RIESTER ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUSINESS.
Phoenix-based RIESTER today announced the creation of RIESTER Public Affairs, which is merging with Kaasa, Milton & Reithmann (KMR), one of Arizona’s leading political and corporate consulting groups. Joe Yuhas, who is currently deputy director of the Arizona Department of Commerce, will join RIESTER Public Affairs as executive director and partner.
“RIESTER Public Affairs’ merger with the proven talent of Gary Kaasa and Lynda Reithmann, and the addition of someone as politically astute and respected as Joe Yuhas to serve as executive director, will truly transform RIESTER as a full service marketing agency,” said Tim Riester, president and CEO. “Prior to the creation of RIESTER Public Affairs, the agency provided clients with advertising, media buying, brand planning and research, interactive web development and public relations services, but we had to partner with outside firms in order to provide full public affairs support. Now our in-house client service offering is complete.”
The new division, which will begin operations on Aug. 15, 2005, will offer a wide range of client services including: government relations and lobbying; coalition building; initiative, referendum and candidate campaigns; political research; strategic planning; and messaging. KMR’s clients include the United Phoenix Fire Fighters, Sky Harbor International Airport, the Support Sky Harbor Coalition and other highly visible organizations. The firm has been involved in successful campaigns for president, governor, secretary of state, legislative offices, mayors and city councils across the Valley. In addition, KMR has consulted on statewide efforts to fund education, expand Indian gaming and extend the Arizona Lottery.
The firm was instrumental in helping to defeat a statewide medical marijuana initiative and to expand Civic Plaza and build the new Cardinal’s Stadium. It also has supported numerous initiatives and bonds for public safety, neighborhoods, arts, transportation, water, parks and preserves and general plans, including a $1 billion community college bond. Yuhas, who was appointed deputy director of the Arizona Department of Commerce by Governor Janet Napolitano in 2003, was formerly the president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association. He is also a former city councilman, county supervisor and state assemblyman from New Jersey, and the former director of Alumni and Public Affairs at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Yuhas was campaign manager for both the Arizonans for Fair Gaming and Indian Self-Reliance initiative which passed in 2002 and the successful Arizona Wins ballot referendum in 2000, which provided funding for construction of a multipurpose stadium to serve as home of the Arizona Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl, facilities for Major League Baseball Spring Training and tourism promotion. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Rider University.
“Leading the RIESTER Public Affairs team is an exciting and challenging opportunity for me,” explained Yuhas. “No other agency in the state will be able to provide clients the breadth of marketing and communications service that we can now offer.” RIESTER has a history of carefully planned growth and acquisitions. Started in Phoenix in 1989, the agency enjoyed steady but slow growth until 2000 when it opened an office in Los Angeles. In 2001, it acquired Salt Lake City-based Harris & Love, the largest independent agency in Utah. RIESTER is the agency of record for multiple regional and national clients including; Gold’s Gym International, McDonalds, Proctor & Gamble pet food brands – Iams and Eukanuba , Veterinary Pet Insurance, the Arizona Lottery, Scottsdale Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Casino Arizona and the California Department of Conservation’s division of recycling.
