Washington, D.C.

Matt Naugle

Director of Public Affairs · Washington, D.C.

For over two decades, I've worked at the intersection of public affairs, crisis communications, and digital strategy. I help organizations reach the right people with the right message before the other side defines the terms.

My work spans advocacy, high-stakes reputation management, statewide and national campaigns, and contract crisis work with top-tier D.C. firms across advocacy, energy, defense, health care, and finance.

Get in Touch

What I Do

Public Affairs & Strategic Communications

Every organization has a story. The race is to tell it first, on the right channels, to the right people, before someone else tells a worse version of it for you.

Public Affairs Strategy

I build campaigns that connect organizations with the stakeholders and policymakers who shape their future. That means coordinating earned media, digital outreach, grassroots activation, and coalition-building into a single, unified push.

My experience runs from local issue fights to statewide and national campaigns. The lesson is always the same: get your story in the right rooms before the other side does.

Crisis & Reputation

High-stakes reputation work requires a different set of skills than day-to-day communications. I've done contract crisis work with top-tier D.C. firms across advocacy, energy, defense, health care, and finance. I know how bad situations move, and how to get ahead of them.

I pair strong writing with fast, hands-on execution. When a story breaks, you don't have time to form a committee.

Digital & Paid Media

I manage multi-million-dollar paid media campaigns across Google, programmatic platforms (display and OTT/CTV), and social, including audience building and acquisition at scale. I've also built AI-assisted workflows for communications strategy and content development.

My background also includes donor communications and fundraising for advocacy organizations and nonprofits across the country.

Experience

Two Decades in Public Affairs & Communications

I've worked across industries, issue areas, and media environments: national advocacy campaigns, high-stakes reputation work, multi-million-dollar digital programs. Here's the track record.

2024 – Present

Senior Writer, Strategic Communications

Stand Together

Develops donor communications, issue advocacy content, and strategic messaging for the Charles Koch-founded philanthropic network, one of the largest of its kind in the country.

2020 – 2024

Digital Director

Majority Strategies

Managed cross-channel paid media campaigns across Google, programmatic platforms, and social. Drove a 90% increase in ROI and a 15% boost in customer foot traffic through data-driven digital strategy.

2018 – 2020

Director of Media & Communications

Center for Urban Renewal & Education

Led all external communications, media relations, and fundraising outreach. Increased annual donations by 150% through integrated multi-channel campaigns.

2014 – 2018

Senior Content Strategist

Intermarkets

Led editorial strategy, content development, and owned-and-operated web properties for the advertising network behind the Drudge Report. Achieved sustained 40%+ email open rates across a list of more than two million subscribers.

2013 – 2014

Research Director

Well-Known Advocacy Organization

Directed research and policy analysis supporting national issue advocacy and public affairs campaigns.

2011 – 2013

Copywriter

Council for National Policy

Produced communications, member materials, and editorial content for a prominent national policy organization and its network of leaders.

2010 – Present

Strategic & Crisis Communications

Contract Clients

High-profile contract work spanning ghostwriting, media placements, marketing strategy, and complex digital ad buying for corporate and nonprofit clients. Firms include CRC Advisors, Dezenhall Resources, Drumfire Public Affairs, CAP Project, Meltz Communications, and others, across advocacy, energy, defense, health care, finance, education, and reputation management.

Beyond the Work

A Few Other Things About Me

Matt Naugle, Director of Public Affairs, Washington D.C.

How I Think About This Work

I'm an Eric Dezenhall devotee. His books "Glass Jaw" and "Damage Control" are always open on my desk, earmarked and highlighted.

The medium keeps changing. The fundamentals don't. Know your audience. Be clear. Get there first.

Outside the Office

I'm an amateur boxer registered with USA Boxing, training at Urban Boxing D.C. I fought at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. with Haymakers for Hope, raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in honor of Grandpa Bud Spanos.

I log miles with the Northeast Track Club and serve as a proud "Grambassador" to Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota (2023 & 2025). I'm also a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. I'm used to uphill battles.