Robert Udowitz

Experienced in crisis communications and public relations/public affairs, Robert Udowitz began his career more than two decades ago at the preeminent New York firm, Rubenstein Associates, where he ran interference on crises at one of the city’s top cultural icons. He also worked with real estate clientele, publicly traded corporations, and on events involving foreign dignitaries and other high-profile individuals. In Washington DC, Udowitz has represented foreign and U.S.-based companies embroiled in crises including recalls, predatory pricing, consumer complaints, contract disputes, boardroom battles, and advocacy group protests.

Udowitz works with private and public companies, providing crisis and media relations strategies, as well as strategic communications programs. His experience includes work with one of the largest credit card security companies, a pioneer in PCI compliance and the emerging tokenization and point-to-point encryption best practices. He also has performed crisis consulting for several large, high-profile public relations agencies in Washington, on issues related to foreign trade, government contracting and travel. His clients have included trade associations, technology companies, a publishing company, and a financial research and investment corporation.

At Powell Tate, Udowitz handled the country’s largest meat recall for the Hudson Beef Corporation and also worked with several multinational companies and foreign governments seeking public affairs support. In the dawn of eco-terrorism, Udowitz worked with a large multinational mining company.

After Powell Tate, Udowitz spent time at Fleishman-Hillard, where he worked in their business practice, helping a major technology firm through layoffs and cutbacks and a shipping company involved with a hostile takeover. He eventually helped the agency start its social marketing practice when it began working for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Subsequently, Mr. Udowitz was recruited by American Management Systems (now CMG), a Virginia-based technology consulting firm, to create and manage the 30-year-old company’s first public relations department as its corporate public relations manager. Before forming his own consultancy he was the director of communications and public affairs at the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, the primary lobbying and trade association for the satellite television and radio industries, which at the time was embroiled in state tax issues as it emerged into record-breaking subscriber numbers.

Mr. Udowitz holds a BA in Communications from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. In 2006 he was appointed Board Member of Washington Independent Writers. Since the 1980s Udowitz has been a member of the Public Relations Society of America and has served on its Board and in various capacities. He was also a founder of the DC Tech Communicators Forum and a former board member of the Independent Public Relations.