# Erik Smith

> Erik Smith is the founding partner and CEO of Seven Letter, a bipartisan strategic communications firm he built from Blue Engine Message & Media, the one-person practice he started in 2006. His career connects high-pressure congressional communications, three Democratic National Conventions, Obama-Biden advertising and inaugurations with the slower work of assembling an integrated agency through mergers, acquisitions and a consistent promise of senior-level counsel.

- **Role:** Founding Partner & CEO at Seven Letter
- **Organizations:** Seven Letter, Blue Engine Message & Media, Bully Pulpit Interactive, The Analytics Media Group, Public Policy Holding Company, Business Forward, Organizing for Action, Washington Nationals Youth Academy
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Built Blue Engine Message & Media from a sole proprietorship into Seven Letter, an integrated bipartisan strategic communications agency., Produced the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Conventions., Served as a senior adviser for advertising and message development to the 2008 and 2012 Obama-Biden presidential campaigns.

## Career timeline

- **1990s-2000s** — Worked for more than a decade as a strategist and communications counselor to members of Congress and national party committees, including service as communications director for the House Democratic Leader.
- **2006** — Founded Blue Engine Message & Media as a sole proprietor.
- **2008** — Served as a senior adviser for Obama-Biden advertising and message development, produced the Democratic National Convention and helped produce the campaign's 30-minute network broadcast.
- **2009** — Served as creative director for the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
- **2012** — Returned as a senior Obama-Biden advertising adviser and Democratic National Convention producer.
- **2013** — Served again as creative director for the Presidential Inauguration Committee.
- **2016** — Worked as creative director and producer of the Democratic National Convention.
- **2018-2019** — Combined Blue Engine with JDA Frontline, establishing bipartisan credentials; the joint firm adopted the Seven Letter name, then acquired Tessio Labs to deepen digital strategy.
- **2020** — Merged Seven Letter with the O'Neill and Associates strategic communications practice, adding Boston operations and bringing the combined staff above 40.
- **2021** — Added research capabilities through Matt George Associates and Seven Letter Insight.
- **2022** — Celebrated Public Policy Holding Company's admission to the London Stock Exchange.
- **2025** — Named an Outstanding CEO among PRNEWS' 2025 People of the Year.
- **2026** — Led Seven Letter's expansion into Los Angeles, New York City and Huntsville, alongside its Washington and Boston offices.

## Achievements

- Built Blue Engine Message & Media from a sole proprietorship into Seven Letter, an integrated bipartisan strategic communications agency.
- Produced the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Democratic National Conventions.
- Served as a senior adviser for advertising and message development to the 2008 and 2012 Obama-Biden presidential campaigns.
- Served as creative director for the 2009 and 2013 Presidential Inauguration Committees.
- Co-founded Bully Pulpit Interactive and The Analytics Media Group, which later became 605.
- Was repeatedly included by Roll Call among the 50 most powerful congressional staff members during his Capitol Hill career.
- Named an Outstanding CEO in PRNEWS' 2025 People of the Year program.
- Helped grow Seven Letter through combinations with JDA Frontline, Tessio Labs, Matt George Associates and the O'Neill and Associates communications practice.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Seven Letter announced new offices in Los Angeles, New York City and Huntsville, expanding beyond Washington and Boston.
- **2025-10** — A Seven Letter podcast episode marked Smith's recognition as an Outstanding CEO in PRNEWS' 2025 People of the Year.
- **2024-08** — Smith discussed the compressed planning and controlled chaos of modern Democratic conventions with national news outlets.
- **2024-07** — Axios quoted Smith on the unusual second chance Kamala Harris had to make a national first impression during her rapid move toward the Democratic nomination.

## Links

- Website: https://sevenletter.com/people/erik-smith/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-smith-9067b7157
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/sevenletter
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/blueenginemedia

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/erik-smith
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26