Eisenla Media

A seasoned communications professional with a proven track record of success, Kristofer Eisenla founded EISENLA|media, a strategic communications company, to help individuals, associations, organizations and companies find their voice and become part of the national conversation. With over 12 years of experience including Capitol Hill, presidential and senatorial campaigns, non-profits, and agencies, Kristofer's expertise includes strategic counsel, campaign management, crisis communications and media relations. Before starting EISENLA|media, Kristofer spent over 3 months traveling around the world.

Before his around the world adventure, Kristofer was a vice president at Widmeyer Communications, where he was the lead account manager for the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) charged with raising the association's national profile and visibility. He secured appearances for NASE's President and CEO on top tier broadcast outlets, placed op-eds in key Washington publications — one of which earned a PRSA Bronze Anvil award for a Roll Call op-ed — and connected NASE's spokespeople with reporters who quoted its policy positions in major broadcast, print, radio and online outlets. He also led the communications program for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and provided strategic media counsel to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Pearson Education, the National Center for Education and the Economy, the Data Quality Campaign and Cartoon Network. Leveraging his relationships with the media, he also led the firm's media relations and outreach efforts for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Pool Safely campaign, the American Energy Innovation Council, the ARC International Wildlife Crossing Design Competition and the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

Prior to Widmeyer, Kristofer was the deputy chief of staff and director of communications for U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado. As deputy chief of staff, he was responsible for ensuring U.S. Rep. DeGette's political and policy priorities were achieved as Democratic chief deputy whip and then vice chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. As director of communications, he managed all aspects of communications strategy serving as chief spokesperson and message counsel for all political and public policy issues. While with U.S. Rep. DeGette, he developed and executed an aggressive national communications and political strategy that raised both her profile and her policy priorities. As a result, U.S. Rep. DeGette's voice was a part of the national conversation on a broad range of issues including health care, stem cell research, energy and the environment and food and consumer product safety. He also served as U.S. Rep. DeGette's political liaison to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver working closely with the Obama Campaign and national and state leaders on all convention activities. During his tenure, U.S. Rep. DeGette was profiled in 5280, Denver's premiere monthly magazine, and featured in a National Journal cover story, "Five House Democrats Ready to Step Up," of Members poised to rise in the Democratic leadership.

Before joining U.S. Rep. DeGette, Kristofer was the director of communications for U.S. Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan, then-Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee. He was responsible for implementing U.S. Rep. Levin's national and statewide communications strategy securing a front-page profile piece in the New York Times, "For Democrats, New Challenge in Age-Old Rift." During the 2004 election season, he served as the spokesperson and press secretary for U.S. Rep. Brad Carson's U.S. Senate Campaign in Oklahoma, which was named one of the best campaigns of 2004 by national political analysts. His work also includes serving as the deputy communications director for Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2003. During the Iowa Caucuses, he ensured Dr. Dean's message was heard in every corner of the state on television, radio and in print by implementing a targeted earned media campaign. His agency experience includes positions at Simon Strategies/Mindbeam, Hill and Knowlton and Blanc and Otus.

Originally from Modesto, California, Kristofer earned an MSc in International Development Economics from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2003, and an MA in Political Management from The George Washington University in 2001. He is also an honors graduate of California State University, Stanislaus, earning a BA in Politics and Economics in 1999. He has secured key media placements on behalf of legislators and clients in the Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Atlantic, National Journal, Congressional Quarterly, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, NBC Today Show, ABC World News, and National Public Radio; has been quoted in the New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, Denver Post, Detroit Free Press, Dallas Morning News, and Salon; and has published pieces in the Huffington Post, the Advocate, and the Modesto Bee.