 Sheldon Adelson |
Billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is using Democratic-leaning Kivvit public affairs shop in his long-shot effort to build a casino in New York City, according to Politico.
The founder/CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp. is a close ally of president Trump. His $5M donation to Trump’s inauguration is the biggest ever-made for an inaugural.
Trump, in turn, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Adelson’s wife, Miriam.
Kivvit has strong ties with New York’s Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo.
Co-founder Maggie Moran advised then-New York attorney general Cuomo on his successful campaign for governor of the Empire State in 2010. She directed rapid response for president Clinton in 1996 and was New Jersey campaign manager for VP Al Gore in 2000,
Rich Bamberger, Kivvit managing director, was Gov. Cuomo’s communications director in charge of media strategy, coordinated messaging and events. He also worked for Cuomo when he was AG.
Adelson, 85, is worth $33B, according to Forbes.
New York has only authorized seven non-Indian casinos since 2013. Cuomo was a strong supporter of casinos upstate to spur local economies.
State law bars licenses for casinos in NYC until 2023. NYC does have a “racino’ in operation at Aqueduct in Queens. Resorts World owns that facility.
Mika El-Baz, who did a nearly 18-year run at Sony Music’s RCA Records label, has joined Apple Music’s PR team, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Katie Martin Kelley has joined Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group as executive VP-communications.
Doug Mishkin, who was in charge of the National Football League’s gambling-related commercial activities, has joined Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s global sports and entertainment group.
Kristina Schake has joined Walt Disney Co. as executive VP-global communications as she wrapped up a 10-month stint as the Biden administration’s COVID-19 public education campaign director.
Sean Smith is leaving the EVP of corporate counsel spot at Porter Novelli to join the Recording Academy, which runs the GRAMMY Awards, as EVP of communications, effective Oct. 25.
