Matthew Hiltzik

Matthew Hiltzik (born May 12, 1972) is the founder of the strategic communications and consulting firm, Hiltzik Strategies, representing influential companies, organizations, and high profile individuals in media, entertainment, publishing, finance, politics and philanthropy.

Early life

Hiltzik was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey and attended Cornell University's ILR School before moving on to the Fordham School of Law. His early post-law school life consisted of working as press secretary and deputy executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee, where he worked on the 1998 campaigns of Chuck Schumer and Eliot Spitzer and Hillary Clinton's Listening Tour in July 1999. In December 1999, Hiltzik left the NY Dems to join Miramax as head of corporate communications, where he was involved in public relations for Miramax Films, Miramax Books, Miramax TV, Talk magazine, and philanthropic and political fundraising and crisis management while also serving as personal spokesman for Harvey Weinstein and the company.^[1]

Politics

In 2000, Hiltzik took a brief leave from the Weinsteins to re-join Hillary Clinton's campaign as the director of Jewish relations, as he is an Orthodox Jew.^[2] He soon left politics to rejoin with the Weinstein brothers, after the brothers finalized their deal to leave Miramax. Hiltzik teamed up with the U.K.-based publicity company, Freud Communications, to start up their U.S. operations.^[3] He went out on his own in early 2008 to start up Hiltzik Strategies.^[4] Hiltzik maintains his political roots advising several campaigns including Reshma Saujani's 2010 candidacy^[5] for the 14th district of New York, and Thomas DiNapoli in his successful bid for New York Senate Comptroller. Hiltzik is also currently advising Jose Antonio Vargas's DefineAmerican campaign to elevate the national conversation about immigration policy and to pass the DREAM Act.^[6][7]

Hiltzik Strategies

Clients of Hiltzik's new firm include Katie Couric, Don and Deirdre Imus,^[8] Glenn Beck, Alec Baldwin,^[9][10] Trudie Styler,^[11] Jamie McCourt,^[12] Justin Bieber,^[13][14] Sean Parker,^[15] Univision's Raul de Molina, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Over the last few years he has had to fend off rumors surrounding Couric's tumultous tenure as anchor of CBS Evening News and it was Hiltzik who did damage control for Alec Baldwin after a voicemail of him verbally assaulting his daughter became an internet sensation in April 2007. In 2007, he also repped Imus in his comeback after the shock jock was accused of making an insensitive racial remark.

Hiltzik Strategies helps manage corporate communications for many organizations including The Weinstein Company, Jane Friedman's Open Road Integrated Media,^[16] and See Saw Films (The King's Speech).^[17] In addition, the firm works with numerous non-profits including the Rainforest Foundation, Child Mind Institute,^[18] Gen YOUth Foundation,^[19] Entertainment Industry Foundation,^[20] and Norman Mailer Center.

Side Projects

Hiltzik executive produced Paper Clips,^[21] a moving and inspiring documentary film that captures how Tennessee Middle School students responded to lessons about the Holocaust-with a promise to honor every lost soul by collecting one paper clip for each individual exterminated by the Nazis.^[22] He also executive produced a second movie, Holy Land Hardball, about the attempt to bring minor league baseball to Israel.^[23][24] Most recently, Hiltzik co-produced Tiffany Shlain's documentary Connected,^[25] which explores the connections linking major issues of our time.^[26][27]

References

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Name	Hiltzik, Matthew
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Date of birth	May 12, 1972
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