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From time to time, we like to bring you news and views from our team on what’s happening across the state. As many of you may know, Consensus Co-Founder John Sowinski is the president and spokesperson for No Casinos. He is considered a leader on what has become, and will continue to be, a hot issue for Florida. John held a press conference Tuesday in Tallahassee to outline a plan to block the expansion of gambling in the state, and we thought you might find this of interest.

Here’s what he had to say:
“… Spectrum concluded that around 95% of the money spent at proposed destination resort casinos would come from residents, not tourists.

Gambling is not economic development, it’s an economic parasite.

Money spent in the casino is money not spent in a restaurant, a bar, a movie theater, or other form of entertainment. If 95% of the people patronizing a casino spent their money at some other business, we would be better off for it, because those forms of entertainment don’t come with the crime, addiction, and corruption, that is too often associated with the gambling industry…

… It is beyond reason that anyone would look at what is happening to the casino industry and states and communities that rely on it and conclude that Florida should have a greater stake in this industry. Why would we trade what’s working here for what has become a complete disaster in almost everywhere that it has become a major player?

That’s why today, we’re here to outline our three-pronged strategy to prevent the expansion of gambling in Florida over the next three years.”
– John Sowinski, President, No Casinos

Articles of interest:

Palm Beach Post
No Casinos sees gambling deal that includes PBKC slots an “economic parasite” on Florida

Miami Herald
Gambling opponents bash compact and hope for court ruling to squelch all gaming expansion

SaintPetersBlog
No Casinos promises multi-front war on gambling

WCTV
Anti-gambling group in Tallahassee

Sun Sentinel
Anti-gambling group takes aim at Seminole deal

Consensus Founder Tre’ Evers joins a cast of the most influential people in Central Florida for a look at the region’s top stories in government, politics and culture. Each week, the opinion leaders weigh in and share insight with the Orlando Sentinel. Here’s what Tre’ had to say this week:

“BISHOP MOORE PRIDE. Last week: The Bishop Moore Hornets won the state 5A football State Championship on Friday by defeating Wakulla 37-34. Bishop Moore’s current athletic director, Mike Malatesta, was the Hornet quarterback in 1970, the only other time Bishop Moore won a football State Championship.

Last year the Hornets were defeated in semi-final play with a last second field goal. So their mantra this year was “One Moore” — one Moore play, one Moore game, etc.

Led by 5A coach of the year, Matt Hedrick, the Hornets drew first blood, but wound up down 21-17 at halftime.

Facing future University of Florida quarterback, All-American Feleipe Franks, the Hornets made half-time adjustments and shut down his passing game.

The Hornets scored the go-ahead touchdown with 70 seconds to go, and then watched as Franks’ field-goal attempt to tie the game flew wide left with time running out.”

For more from the Central Florida 100, visit the Orlando Sentinel.

“For more than two decades, they’ve been at the forefront of issues that define Florida’s corporate and political landscapes.”

Consensus co-founders Tre’ Evers and John Sowinski join the ranks of the top movers and shakers in Florida politics in the inaugural Influence 100 list by Peter Schorsch of SaintPetersBlog.com.

The list features the players, thought leaders, lobbyists, media, industry leaders, legends and more from across the state who have been, and still are, key to Florida’s political landscape.

Evers and Sowinski founded Consensus Communications in 1995. For more than two decades, the firm has worked with major companies, business leaders, and leading industry groups with high-stakes needs in Florida.

A political consultant and communications specialist, Evers provides public relations advice, integrated communications counsel, messaging strategies and grassroots advocacy tactics to clients, including Fortune 500 companies, major business and trade associations, some of Florida’s most well-known elected officials and Florida’s most-storied statewide ballot initiatives.

Sowinski is a communications strategist and a veteran of numerous statewide political, issue and corporate campaigns. He has more than 20 years experience in public policy, media relations, message development, and paid media management. Sowinski is regarded as the premier expert on statewide referendum campaigns in Florida, having accomplished an unmatched record in statewide ballot initiatives.

For the full excerpt and the complete list, click here.

Now that’s what we call #winning. At this week’s Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Awards Banquet, Consensus Communications was awarded the Grand Image Award in the public service category for its work in 2014 on the Seminole County public information campaign for a penny sales tax to fund capital projects. This same project was also awarded a Radiance Award in the community relations category from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Sunshine District in July.

FPRA’s Golden Image Awards competition is conducted annually to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism in Florida. More than 200 entries were received for this year’s awards ceremony.

The PRSA Sunshine District’s Radiance Awards recognize outstanding strategic public relations programs by Florida practitioners or organizations. The statewide awards are among the highest levels of professional achievement and highlight PR campaigns that demonstrate excellence in research, planning, implementation and evaluation.

Based on his grasp of history, politics and even pop culture, you would never guess that Ryan Houck was born when Ronald Reagan was seeking re-election in 1984.  But in a book he completed before his 30th birthday, Houck, who leads Consensus Communications’ media production team and provides clients with high-level strategic communications counsel, unpacks volumes of research and decades of history into an enjoyable and insightful book that shows how generational politics will shape the future of our great country.

Written from his perspective as a free-market millennial, “Will America Fail?” describes how the generation that elected and re-elected Barack Obama will ultimately lead a conservative renaissance that will usher in a new American golden age. The book is published by Post Hill Press and is available in hardcover or for download from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. As of this writing, the book is ranked 11th in Amazon’s Elections category, 36th in the National Politics category, and 50th in the Commentary and Opinion Category.

Here’s the official release, and links to the book’s video trailer and purchase page:

Will America Fail?
The Unlikely Story of How Millennials Will Spark a Conservative Renaissance and Restore American Prosperity

Will America Fail? With China rising and the Middle East ablaze, the question of “American decline” has seized the national spotlight.  In the midst of historic change, Ryan Houck—the 29 year-old co-creator of If I Wanted America to Fail and President of Free Market America—partners with Post Hill Press to deliver a groundbreaking new book with a surprising take on America’s future.

The title: Will America Fail?

Hailed by Rush Limbaugh as “brilliant” and declared a new “conservative manifesto” by Fox News’ Eric Bolling, millions tuned in to watch Houck’s last tour de force, If I Wanted America to Fail. In his new book, Houck makes the bold but painstakingly-researched prediction that America stands at the threshold of a new Golden Age—and that many members of his Millennial Generation will not only live to see it, they will inaugurate it.

As implied by the book’s powerful new trailer, Will America Fail? addresses haunting questions raised in past videos, such as: Is America, like Rome before it, destined to crumble and collapse?  Have the values of our Founders become obsolete in the Information Age?  Will the 21st Century belong to China or the United States? Is the next generation of Americans—the so-called Millennials—prepared to lead?

Unlike most political commentary on bookshelves today—much of which is rooted in the late 20th Century experiences of Watergate, Vietnam or the Reagan Revolution—Houck’s narrative style and nuanced message belong wholly to the Information Age.  Readers in their twenties and thirties will instantly discover modern ways to connect with the timeless truths of our American Experiment, while older readers will find both a new sense of optimism for our nation’s long-term future as well as a new conservative language that will appeal to their Millennial children.  A Millennial himself, Houck’s relatable style and assiduous research make Will America Fail? a truly unique addition to his genre.

Buy the book.
Watch the trailer.
View the original, If I Wanted America to Fail.

Consensus Communications congratulates the winning candidates and causes it worked with during Florida’s recent primary election.

Consensus Communications served as General Consultant for “Change 4 Kids” which led the effort to renew the half-penny sales tax for Orange County schools. The measure was passed by an overwhelming 64% of voters and will fund technology upgrades and rebuild 59 schools over the next ten years. We also produced the television and radio ads that helped secure victory. Special kudos goes to Dana Loncar, who handled General Consulting duties for Change 4 Kids.

The success of Change 4 Kids capped a trifecta of ballot initiative wins so far this cycle, including a Seminole County public information campaign for a penny sales tax to fund capital projects and a public infrastructure initiative for the Downtown South Neighborhood Improvement District in the city of Orlando.

Consensus also congratulates the following Florida candidates, for whom it developed and executed winning TV and radio campaigns:

• State Senator Thad Altman | Ad
  

• State Representative Eric Eisnaugle | Ad
  

• State Representative John Tobia | Ad
  

• Mike Miller for State Representative | Ad
  

In a national movement called #GivingTuesday, nonprofits from around the country are calling on organizations to help them raise money online. Here in Orlando, WESH has joined forces with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to raise $20,000 to help provide 80,000 meals to those in need. So in the spirit of the holiday season, Consensus has generously decided to donate $500 each to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and the Children’s Home Society of Florida.

“We’ve always been strong supporters of local organizations seeking to help the most vulnerable in our community – Second Harvest Food Bank and Children’s Home Society provide services that are especially needed in these tough economic times,” said Consensus President Tre’ Evers. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this giving season than by supporting two groups that make such a difference in the lives of so many here in Orlando and across the state.”

Second Harvest Food Bank collects, stores and distributes food to more than 500 partner agencies throughout Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties. According to the nonprofit, just one dollar can provide four meals to a hungry neighbor.

Children’s Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families, serving 100,000 throughout the state each year.

Join Consensus in making a difference in our community by supporting these local nonprofits or others. For more information about #GivingTuesday and Second Harvest Food Bank, visit www.foodbankcentralflorida.org. To learn more about Children’s Home Society, visit www.chsfl.org.

Consensus Communications announced today that Christina Morton, APR, has joined its public relations team. Christina is an accredited and awarding-winning public relations professional. Her emphasis is in media relations, social media and community relations.

“We are excited to add Christina to our team,” said Dana Loncar, Principal with Consensus. “She is relentless in pursuing stories, responding to the press and creating winning media strategies.”

She successfully managed national media relations and community relations campaigns in key markets across the United States for First Watch Restaurants, Inc. She also helped lead the social media strategy for Moffitt Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Florida, and was part of the grand opening media relations team for Nemours Children’s Hospital in 2012.

In addition, she assisted in managing several key accounts, which included work with the City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board, H&R Block and Insperity. She previously worked for Fry Hammond Barr and CBR Public Relations.

“Christina’s skills and experience in mastering social media communication tools is already benefitting our clients and we look forward to continuing to bring this important element to our strategies,” said Tre’ Evers, President of Consensus Communications.

Christina currently serves as a board member of the Orlando Regional Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2013, she received a local Image Award and Award of Distinction from the Orlando Area Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) for her work with First Watch and Nemours.

Christina graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in public relations and political science.

For the eighth time in 12 years, Consensus Communications has topped the Orlando Business Journal’s ranking of the top public relations firms in Central Florida. The list, now published biennially, appeared in the publication’s Oct. 25 print edition and can be viewed online at bizjournals.com/Orlando.

“This year’s list features some of the best firms in the state, and we’re truly honored to once again be recognized as a leader in our industry,” said Consensus President Tre’ Evers. “For nearly 20 years, we have had the privilege of working with clients who are well-respected and leaders in their industries, as well as some of the top leaders in our community and the state. We would not be where we are today without them.”

Consensus represents clients in Central Florida and throughout the state – from Fortune 500 companies to local entrepreneurs – with a variety of complex needs. The firm is at the forefront of the issues shaping Central Florida and the state’s future. With an emphasis on strategic communications using a research-based approach, Consensus develops and implements plans that help companies, associations and non-profits reach their goals.

Consensus Communications, a Downtown Orlando-based full service public relations firm, announced today the promotion of its long-time Associate Dana Loncar to the position of Principal.

“Dana brings a unique background and talent to every client engagement,” said Consensus President Tre’ Evers. “Dana is a valued member of our team, and integral to her clients’ strategic communications efforts.”

Dana Loncar

Dana has more than 15 years experience in public affairs in Central Florida. Since joining Consensus she has focused on community relations, local lobbying and campaign management for a variety of clients. Dana’s public affairs clients include leading trade associations, industry groups, public/private consortiums, and Fortune 500 companies in sectors ranging from agribusiness to tourism and retail.

She is also well-known in local political circles and led incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner’s 2012 fundraising efforts, and served as General Consultant for the campaigns of Orange County School Board Chairman Bill Sublette and School Board Member Pam Gould.

In 2007, Dana represented a group of business and community leaders – known as “Let Us Vote” – who successfully passed the first citizen led ballot initiative in Orange County history to allow the voters to decide if they wanted to directly elect the School Board Chair.

Dana joined Consensus in 2006, after four years working in government affairs for Orlando Health overseeing the Government and Community Relations staff and functions for the organization on the federal, state, and local levels. During this time, Dana led Orlando Health’s effort to obtain funding for Central Florida’s only Level I Trauma Center and was successful in obtaining the first local public dollars for the trauma center – $3.2 million from four local governments.

Dana served on the Board for the Coalition for the Homeless for nine years, including Chairman in 2011.