The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is excited to announce its newest National Council member, Aaron Kwittken. Mr. Kwittken is a 1992 graduate of the George Washington University and has been instrumental in giving back to his alma mater through a fund he established called the Kwittken Fund for Strategic Communication Internships and Mentoring. The fund supports the SMPA Career Access Network (SMPA CAN), providing support for students who take unpaid or underpaid internships in the field of strategic communication and media. Up to three “Kwittken Internship Awards” are given annually and provide formal mentoring support for students to connect with alumni professionals and others working in the field. This year, recipients include two rising seniors of SMPA who are pursuing summer internship opportunities in the field.
Mr. Kwittken founded global brand strategy and public relations agency KWT Global following a swift ascent through the global PR scene. An established expert in issues and crisis management, he has led KWT Global – which has been part of MDC Partners since 2010 – to become one of the industry’s most awarded brand strategy, PR, digital and content marketing firms. With an additional focus on purpose-driven branding, Mr. Kwittken has provided expertise and guidance to numerous organizations that “do well by doing good" – including offering pro bono communications support to nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 crisis.
“As an alumnus and a CEO of one of the fastest-growing, most modern communications agencies in the world, we are thrilled to have Aaron join our robust team of communicators, journalists and media professionals. Aaron’s generosity and compassion towards our students the past few years make him an incredible asset to our National Council.”
Frank Senso
Director, SMPA
Starting his career in Washington D.C. at a number of global agencies, Mr. Kwittken provided issues management and public affairs support to a variety of corporations and industry trade groups. He then held numerous senior roles at FleishmanHillard, BCW Global, and as Havas PR’s CEO of North America, all before 35. He also served as a Managing Director of Brand Strategy for a private equity firm specializing in emerging growth companies in technology and healthcare.
Mr. Kwittken writes a regular column for the Forbes CMO Network, is a monthly contributor to The Drum, and makes guest appearances on CNBC, FOX Business Network, and Bloomberg TV. He’s also a former contributor to Entrepreneur Magazine and regularly lends his expertise to The Wall Street Journal’s “Crisis of the Week” column. In addition, Mr. Kwittken created and hosts Brand on Purpose, a podcast dedicated to telling the untold stories behind the most impactful purpose-driven companies and organizations.
“GW has and will always occupy a special place in my heart. My undergraduate experience was transformative for me personally and professionally. It's a great honor to be able to continue to serve the GW community through my active involvement with SMPA alongside such a prestigious and accomplished group of peers.”
Aaron Kwittken
B.A. '92
CEO, KWT Global