We develop smart strategies, produce the best ads, and deliver those ads through fully integrated media campaigns.
An experienced digital operative, Anna joined the team as to manage MVAR’s digital practice after winning the Senate majority with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). As the DSCC Digital Campaign Services Director, she was the senior digital advisor helping campaigns launch their digital operations, invest strategically in paid media, optimize fundraising, and build successful teams. Anna also managed paid digital mobilization campaigns in key battleground states to drive turnout including for the Georgia Senate Runoff that secured the Democratic Senate Majority.
Before her time at the DSCC, she was Senator Tina Smith’s Digital Director for her successful 2018 Special Senate campaign and previously served as Governor Jay Inslee’s Digital Manager in Washington state.
Anna is a Wisconsin native, a proud University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, and currently lives in Milwaukee with her wife Chelsea.
Steve Murphy has worked to elect Democrats since 1976, when he started with the Jimmy Carter for President campaign in Natchez, Mississippi on January 3. He went on to run Wilson Goode’s first race for Mayor of Philadelphia in 1983 and Dick Gephardt’s successful Iowa Caucus campaign in 1988. Steve also served as Executive Director of the U.S. House Democratic Caucus in the late eighties.
In 1990, he joined the Democratic media firm Fenn-King Communications as an associate. In 1996 he co-founded Murphy Putnam Media, and in 2011 co-founded MVAR Media.
Steve’s winning clients include Governors Ralph Northam, Andrew Cuomo, John Hickenlooper, Phil Bredesen, Brad Henry, Bob Holden, Ruth Ann Minner, Bill Richardson, and Brian Schweitzer; Senators Jacky Rosen, Tom Udall, Bob Casey and Mark Begich; as well as numerous Members of Congress, mayors, and constitutional officers.
Earlier in his career Steve managed or worked for over twenty political campaigns across the United States. From January 2003 through January 2004, Steve served as Campaign Manager for Dick Gephardt for President.
Steve has been profiled by both the New York Times Magazine and NBC Nightly News for the roles he has played in presidential campaigns.
Steve graduated from the University of Delaware and served two years as a VISTA volunteer on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Steve resides in Falls Church, Virginia with his wife Lori Lafave, a Democratic fundraising consultant, and their son Cian (key-an) and daughter Ceara (keer-ah). Steve also has a daughter, Deirdre, and a son, Eugene, from a previous marriage.
Prior to joining MVAR, Pam worked as Production Manager for Murphy Putnam Media beginning in 2006. Pam supervises shoot scheduling, production budgets, crew selection, advance and line production, and post-production. With her extensive experience, MVAR is able to avoid clients having to pay any mark-up in hiring crews.
Pam has an affinity for identifying the key components required to successfully manage the production and delivery of exceptional ads. She prides herself on understanding the importance of communications between the campaign, producer, director, production crew, and post-production studio.
Prior to joining Murphy Putnam, Pam worked as an account representative at Henninger Media Services. She performed similar duties for 10 years at Utopia Publishing Group, a print advertising agency.
Jon Vogel is a founding partner of MVAR Media, a national Democratic media firm specializing in television, digital and radio advertising.
In 2021, Jon and MVAR helped Democrats win control of the United States Senate, with their efforts to elect Jon Ossoff in Georgia. Other notable victories include electing Jacky Rosen to the Senate in Nevada in 2018, and Ralph Northam Governor of Virginia in 2017.
Jon has been a senior advisor to three Chairmen of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC): Rahm Emanuel, Chris Van Hollen, and Steve Israel and has been called “a seasoned and talented tactician” by political analyst Charlie Cook.
As a former Executive Director, Political Director and Independent Expenditure Director at the DCCC, Jon has a unique understanding of America’s changing electorate and the intersection that policy and politics play in modern campaigns.
Jon has extensive experience managing national campaigns and multi-layered communication projects including directing the DCCC’s $85 million Independent Expenditure Program that played in 67 districts – netting 24 seats for Democrats in 2008. Under Jon’s leadership, House Democrats won an impressive six special elections between 2007 and 2010.
Jon began his career on the road and has managed and raised money for numerous candidates across the country, and spent time on Capitol Hill as Congressman Steve Israel’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
Jon is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Connecticut College. Jon and his wife live in Washington, DC with their two daughters. During his free time, Jon is a volunteer instructor and student at Seichou Karate, where he is currently working on his 2nd degree black belt.
Gisel Aceves is a seasoned political strategist who knows what it takes to win tough races. A first generation Mexican-American and California native, she began her political career over a decade ago working on campaigns in Southern California. Gisel has on-the-ground experience working in senior roles with House and Senate races across the country. As Constituency Media Director for the DCCC’s Independent Expenditure, Gisel led the committee’s largest national constituency media campaign to engage voters of color across twenty-eight districts. She previously served as Executive Director of CHC BOLD PAC and in senior roles at the DSCC and EMILY’s List, where she helped lay the groundwork to take back the House in 2018 and win hard-fought statewide races.
As Vice President of Campaigns, Matt Harringer works with candidates and progressive organizations to create compelling ads and win campaigns. From script-writing and advancing to managing MVAR’s in-house post operations, Matt works on ads from conception to getting them on air. Before joining MVAR, Matt was the National Press Secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), the Communications Director for Gwen Graham’s Florida Gubernatorial race, and a Communications Director in Congressional offices and on campaigns across the country.
Mike Reilly is a media strategist and widely recognized as one of the best political ad producers in the country. After working on Democratic campaigns and on Capitol Hill, Mike began media consulting in the 2007-2008 election cycle at Murphy Putnam Media, where he produced local and national advertising as part of the Obama Media Team. Since then, he has written, directed, and produced advertising for countless organizations and candidates at every level. As a partner at MVAR, Mike serves as the firm’s Creative Director.
In 2020, Mike produced the television, digital and radio advertising for Senator Jon Ossoff’s winning campaign, helping flipping control of the US Senate. He also produced national advertising for Future Forward to elect President Joe Biden.
In 2019, Mike was selected by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) as one of the 40 best and brightest political professionals under 40 years old. Mike was chosen from over 250 nominations for the award.
During the 2018 cycle, Mike wrote, directed and produced ads for two of the highest profile Democratic statewide victories: Jacky Rosen for Senate (NV) and Ralph Northam for Governor (VA). Mike helped elect three new Democratic Members of Congress in Republican districts: Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11). Mike also produced ads for the DCCC, HMP and Change Now that helped elect an additional 16 members of Congress.
City and State praised Mike’s “smart, creative work, visionary imagery and expert production … not only effective but artistic.”
Mike holds a degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He is father to Jackson and Cooper, husband to Amanda, and lives in Maryland.
Coordinating in-house production and the best film crews across the country.
Making sure every ad is delivered flawlessly.
Bringing creative concepts to life.
Managing projects from script to screen.
Managing digital media planning and buying to make sure every dollar is spent reaching voters most effectively.
Leading the way on digital strategy and advertising.
Click to learn moreNationally renowned Democratic strategist with decades of experience.
Click to learn moreExpert at meeting deadlines and saving MVAR clients money.
Click to learn moreTop Democratic strategist, called “a seasoned and talented tactician” by Charlie Cook.
Click to learn moreTurning great scripts into even greater ads.
Leading strategist with over a decade of experience delivering big wins.
Click to learn moreExperienced operative producing creative ads that win campaigns.
Click to learn moreProducer of winning advertising at every level of Democratic politics.
Click to learn moreLeading an expert creative team with unique and impactful design.
“Smart, creative work, visionary imagery and expert production … not only effective but artistic“
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“Against the odds, Georgia Democrats make history”
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