Our TEAM
Chris Battle
Chris Battle is a Partner at Adfero Group. Chris serves as the lead communications strategist to many of Adfero’s clients, providing counsel to some of the nation’s top corporate brands, high-profile government agencies and major trade associations. A representative sample of Chris’s clients includes American Airlines, Microsoft Corporation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and PhRMA.
Chris brings extensive expertise as a veteran of the public affairs world, with proven experience in media relations, crisis communications, issue advocacy and political campaigns. Chris specializes in planning and executing customized communications strategies for clients that integrate traditional public relations and digital media.
Before joining Adfero Chris was the Director of Public Affairs for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After helping to reorganize ICE’s public affairs shop, Chris was asked by the director to serve as Chief of Staff for the agency, with a particular focus on aligning across all channels the agency’s culture, brand and message with its new mission.
Prior to his service at DHS, Chris served as Director of Congressional and Public Affairs for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. In this capacity, he oversaw the public relations, congressional relations, grassroots outreach and digital media offices for the law enforcement agency. His tenure was dedicated to raising the profile and mission of the DEA and launching national educational campaigns to raise awareness of emergent risks such as methamphetamines and prescription drug abuse.
Previously, Chris worked on Capitol Hill in various capacities as a Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director. He has also worked as a political strategist and campaign manager for congressional and statewide political campaigns.
Chris began his career as a journalist and has won awards for his political and editorial writing. He was worked as a reporter, editorial writer, columnist and editorial page editor at daily newspapers. He remains an active blogger, writing for publication such as U.S. News & World Report, K Street Cafe and Security Debrief, which he founded and edits.
Chris also established Adfero’s Homeland Security Strategic Communications Practice, staffed with a highly skilled team of communicators with hands-on experience in this unique environment. Security Debrief is considered by many to be the premier blog for homeland and counter-terrorism issues. Chris is also a Senior Fellow for the George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute.
Chris frequently publishes and speaks on public relations issues such as crisis communications, the rapidly changing media landscape, and integrating traditional and emerging digital media tactics to effectively communicate in this changing landscape.
Chris lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with wife, Dena, and their two daughters, Kate and Josie. Most of his spare time is spent with his family, but he still manages to find some time for his favorite hobby, photography, as well as publishing essays and non-fiction in a variety of literary publications.
RECENT POSTS BY Chris Battle- Here’s Why “Top Influencer Lists” Are useless - January 26th, 2012
- Why I Unfollow and Unlike Government Social Media - January 23rd, 2012
- Public Relations in 2012 and Beyond: Integrated Strategic Consulting will Replace Silo-Based Execution - January 4th, 2012
- After Earthquake, DC Government Needs Lesson in Social Media - August 24th, 2011
- BART Transit Police Learn Wrong Lesson of Social Media - August 24th, 2011
