Solem & Associates

Solem & Associates is a San Francisco-based public relations firm. It was founded in 1976 and is part of the WorldCom PR Group. "A list of Solem & Associates clients over the years looks like a 'who's who' of leading corporations and government agencies in California," remarked former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown at the firm's 30th anniversary celebration. 

The firm lists among its services community outreach, crisis communications, legislative and governmental advocacy, media relations, media training, opinion research, and graphic design and production. The firm's areas of expertise include energy, telecommunications, healthcare, transportation, land use and development, and international issues. 

History
"In the November 2001 election, Solem & Associates came from behind to defeat a pair of high-profile public power initiatives in San Francisco and win a school bond measure in Marin County with a 74 percent 'yes' vote," reported Business Wire (March 8, 2002, "Corporate Profile for Solem & Associates").

In an article on the political power of people and firms who work as both campaign managers and lobbyists, the San Francisco Chronicle noted, "Don Solem and Associates (he reported $178,825 in fees in the past six months) is another friend to all, helping out on various civic bond campaigns while also lobbying for clients that range from the California Bankers Association (to fight moves to end ATM fees) to the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (to keep an eye on anyone trying to ban perfumes and the like in public places)" (Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross, "Local Lobbyists Envious of Jack Davis' Home Depot Fee," San Francisco Chronicle, October 20, 1999).

Personnel
Solem & Associates' management personnel include:
 * Don Solem - President
 * Jon Kaufman - Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs
 * Anne Jeffrey - Senior Vice President
 * Dave Hyams - Senior Vice President, Media Relations

Income and Employee Totals
O'Dwyer's PR lists Solem & Associates as earning $1,490,855 in net fees in 2006, up 18% on the previous year. The firm has 8 employees.

Clients
Solem & Associates clients include or have included:
 * ARCO
 * AT&T Wireless
 * Bechtel Enterprises Holdings and Bechtel Investments Realty
 * Chevron USA
 * Chlorine Chemistry Council
 * The Clorox Company
 * Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association
 * Deloitte Consulting
 * Freeport Minerals Corporation
 * Genentech
 * Hoffmann-La Roche
 * J. C. Penney Co. (for United Way of America)
 * Lucasfilm Ltd.
 * Mars, Inc.
 * Nabisco Brands, Inc.
 * National Conference of State Legislatures
 * Nielsen Media Research
 * Opponents of Oakland Nuclear Free
 * Pacific Bell
 * Pacific Gas and Electric Company
 * Portland General Electric
 * San Franciscans for Better Taxi Service
 * San Franciscans for Effective Planning Controls
 * San Franciscans for Fair & Efficient Government
 * San Franciscans for Fiscal Responsibility
 * San Franciscans for Proposition A
 * San Franciscans for Responsible Government
 * San Franciscans for Responsible Planning
 * San Franciscans for Sensible Government
 * San Franciscans for Sensible Housing Policy
 * San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
 * Save our San Francisco Schools/Yes on Proposition A
 * Southern California Gas Company
 * Southern California Edison Company
 * South Lake Tahoe for Yes on C
 * Sprint Nextel
 * Starbucks Coffee Company
 * Toys "R" Us
 * U.S. Department of Energy
 * U.S. Energy Research & Development/Federal Energy
 * ValleyCare Health System
 * Wells Fargo Bank
 * Woodside Natural Gas

"In San Francisco, Solem & Associates has worked with every mayor since Joseph Alioto -- George Moscone, Dianne Feinstein, Art Agnos, Frank Jordan, Willie Brown, and Gavin Newsom -- and on the issues and events that have shaped the city: Super Bowl victory parades and Herb Caen Day, Muni, Mission Bay and Lucasfilm's Digital Arts Center in the Presidio, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, World Environment Day, and ... shutting the Hunters Point Power Plant," read a March 2007 post on the firm's 30th anniversary. 

Contact Information
Solem & Associates 550 Kearny Street, Suite 1010 San Francisco, CA 94108 Phone: 415-788-7788 Fax: 415-788-7858 Website: http://www.solem.com Email: solem AT solem.com

SourceWatch Resources

 * Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association