# Doug Thornell

> Doug Thornell is CEO of SKDK and co-head of its advertising department. A Cornell government graduate and former varsity football player, he began organizing for Al Gore in Iowa and went on to campaign and congressional communications roles before joining SKDK in 2011. His work includes media strategy for Wes Moore’s winning 2022 Maryland gubernatorial campaign and a 2020 NAACP advertising program across 30 markets.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at SKDK
- **Organizations:** SKDK, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic National Committee, Congressional Black Caucus, The Electables
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Government, Cornell University
- **Known for:** Lead media consultant and top strategist for Wes Moore’s winning 2022 gubernatorial campaign., Oversaw an SKDK advertising department producing over 700 ads in 2022., PRWeek Power List honoree in 2023 and 2024.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Completed a government degree at Cornell University.
- **2000** — Organized in Iowa for Al Gore’s presidential campaign.
- **2004** — Traveling spokesman for Howard Dean’s presidential campaign.
- **2011** — Joined SKDK.
- **2015** — Named to PRWeek’s 40 Under 40.
- **2019-2020** — Co-hosted The Electables with Adrienne Elrod.
- **2020** — Became an SKDK partner; ran an NAACP advertising program across 30 markets.
- **2022** — Lead media consultant and top strategist for Wes Moore’s winning gubernatorial campaign; selected as next SKDK CEO.
- **2023** — Began CEO tenure following announced year-end 2022 transition.
- **2026** — SKDK announced Wavelength Strategy partnership.

## Achievements

- Lead media consultant and top strategist for Wes Moore’s winning 2022 gubernatorial campaign.
- Oversaw an SKDK advertising department producing over 700 ads in 2022.
- PRWeek Power List honoree in 2023 and 2024.
- Named to National Journal’s 50 People Changing the Game in Washington.
- PRWeek 40 Under 40 honoree in 2015.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Appeared on The Deciders on August 18 to discuss his career and communications strategy.
- **2026-07** — SKDK named Veracelle Vega COO to help execute growth strategy.
- **2026-02** — SKDK announced Wavelength Strategy joining the firm to expand integrated advertising capabilities.

## Links

- Website: https://skdknick.com/about/people/doug-thornell/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougthornell
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dthornell

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/doug-thornell
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06