Related: PR Firms · PR Leaders · Kivvit / Avoq
Kivvit no longer operates as a standalone brand. In May 2023, Kivvit merged with Washington-based public affairs firm Subject Matter to form Subject Matter+Kivvit. In January 2024, the combined firm formally rebranded as Avoq — a national advocacy and communications firm with 220+ employees, approaching $100 million in annual revenue, and offices in Washington D.C., Chicago, New York, New Jersey (Asbury Park), and Miami. Kivvit founder Eric Sedler continues as a managing partner of Avoq.
| Original Founding | 2002 by Eric Sedler and David Axelrod (as ASGK Public Strategies, Chicago) |
| Kivvit Brand Created | 2015 (ASGK + M Public Affairs merger) |
| Current Status | Operating under Avoq brand following 2024 rebrand |
| Subject Matter Merger | May 2023 |
| Avoq Rebrand | January 10, 2024 |
| Avoq CEO | Nicole Cornish (former CEO of Subject Matter) |
| Avoq COO | Molly Scherrman (former Kivvit) |
| Kivvit Co-Founder Role | Eric Sedler — Managing Partner, Avoq |
| Ownership | Coral Tree Partners (Los Angeles-based private equity) |
| Combined Footprint | 220+ employees, ~$88M–$100M revenue, 5 offices |
| Website | teamavoq.com |
Overview
Kivvit was a national public affairs and strategic communications firm originally founded in 2002 in Chicago. In May 2023, Kivvit combined with Washington-based public affairs firm Subject Matter to create one of the largest independent communications and advocacy firms in the United States. In January 2024, the combined company formally rebranded as Avoq (pronounced "uh-VOKE") — a single national agency offering strategic communications, data analytics and insights, government relations, digital strategy, creative content, and advertising services.
Kivvit founder Eric Sedler continues as one of Avoq's managing partners. The Kivvit brand has been retired as part of the integration.
History and Ownership
The firm's history runs through two predecessor agencies: ASGK Public Strategies, founded in 2002 in Chicago by Eric Sedler and David Axelrod, and M Public Affairs, founded in 2010 in New York/New Jersey by Maggie Moran (with ASGK backing). The two firms operated jointly from 2010 onward and formally merged in 2015 to form Kivvit. The name comes from the Alaskan word meaning "valuable and durable."
Kivvit grew aggressively across Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Miami, Washington D.C., and Boston before its May 2023 merger with Subject Matter created Avoq. Maggie Moran departed in early 2022 to focus on cannabis industry work and later launched Moxie Strategies in 2024. Eric Sedler continued as a managing partner through the merger and rebrand.
Key Milestones
2002: Eric Sedler and David Axelrod founded ASGK Public Strategies in Chicago.
2009: ASGK opened a Washington, D.C. office.
2010: ASGK backed Maggie Moran in launching M Public Affairs in New York and New Jersey.
2015: ASGK and M Public Affairs merged and rebranded as Kivvit. Eric Sedler and Maggie Moran became managing partners.
2020: Former New York Governor David Paterson and former Cuomo chief of staff Josh Vlasto joined Kivvit.
Early 2022: Maggie Moran departed Kivvit to focus on cannabis industry work.
May 2023: Kivvit and Subject Matter announced their merger, creating Subject Matter+Kivvit.
January 10, 2024: Subject Matter+Kivvit formally rebranded as Avoq. Nicole Cornish (formerly Subject Matter CEO) named Avoq CEO. 14 longtime practitioners elevated to partner.
2024: Maggie Moran launched new firm Moxie Strategies with team including Jeannine Frisby LaRue, Pearl Gabel, Hira Shaikh, and Joe Libutti (from Kivvit/Avoq).
2024–2026: Avoq added Byron Calamese as Chief Strategy Officer (from Zeno), Andrea Hagelgans as SVP Reputation Management (from Edelman), Jaclyn Rothenberg as SVP Crisis Communications (from FEMA). Significant investment in AI tools, proprietary social intelligence dashboard, and bipartisan election cycle resources.
Services (Now Through Avoq)
The combined Avoq agency carries forward Kivvit's strengths in data-driven public affairs and Subject Matter's bipartisan government relations capability:
- Public Affairs — issue advocacy, coalition management, stakeholder engagement, legislative and regulatory affairs
- Strategic Communications — corporate reputation, executive positioning, narrative development
- Government Relations — bipartisan federal and state government relations (from Subject Matter)
- Data Analytics and Research — proprietary social intelligence dashboard, data-driven targeting, AI tools
- Digital Strategy — large-scale digital advertising, content, social media
- Creative Content and Advertising — campaign development, video production, creative advocacy
- Crisis Communications — rapid response and reputation defense
- Media and Public Relations — earned and paid media
Leadership (Avoq)
Nicole Cornish serves as CEO. Molly Scherrman is COO. Dave Metzger is CFO. Managing partners include Steve Elmendorf, Paul Frick, Jimmy Ryan, Dan Sallick, and Eric Sedler (Kivvit founder). Recent senior additions include Byron Calamese as Chief Strategy Officer (from Zeno), Andrea Hagelgans as SVP Reputation Management (from Edelman), and Jaclyn Rothenberg as SVP Crisis Communications (from FEMA).
Awards and Recognition
Kivvit ranked #18 on O'Dwyer's 2023 rankings of independent PR firms with fee income of $39.5M. The merged Avoq firm has been named one of PRovoke Media's Best Agencies in the U.S. (2024 and 2025) for Public Affairs and Strategic Communications. Avoq has produced timely election impact reports on both the RNC and DNC and operates a bipartisan election resource portal.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Kivvit historically worked with clients across finance, higher education, energy, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, media and communications, technology, sports, real estate, and labor categories. Notable historical clients included Google, Volta Energy Technologies, Reach NJ, NY Ballot Initiative: New Yorkers Against Corruption, University of Chicago Medicine, Wynwood Business Improvement District, Airbnb, Allstate, Anheuser-Busch, Citigroup, GM, and Mayo Clinic. These relationships continue under the Avoq brand.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Kivvit, its ASGK and M Public Affairs predecessors, and the firm's evolution into Avoq continuously since 2009. For the full archive, see everything-pr.com/tag/kivvit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kivvit still in business?
The Kivvit brand has been retired. Kivvit merged with Subject Matter in May 2023 to form Subject Matter+Kivvit, which formally rebranded as Avoq in January 2024. The combined firm operates under the Avoq brand at teamavoq.com.
Who owns Avoq (the former Kivvit)?
Coral Tree Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on media, entertainment, and communications investments.
Who runs Avoq?
Nicole Cornish (formerly Subject Matter CEO) is CEO. Molly Scherrman (formerly Kivvit) is COO. Managing partners include Steve Elmendorf, Paul Frick, Jimmy Ryan, Dan Sallick, and Kivvit co-founder Eric Sedler.
When was Kivvit founded?
Kivvit was formally created in 2015 through the merger of ASGK Public Strategies (founded 2002 by Eric Sedler and David Axelrod) and M Public Affairs (founded 2010 by Maggie Moran).
What happened to Maggie Moran?
Maggie Moran departed Kivvit in early 2022 to focus on the cannabis industry. In 2024, she launched Moxie Strategies, a new boutique public affairs firm in New Jersey.
Where are Avoq's offices?
Avoq operates from offices in Washington D.C. (headquarters), Chicago, New York, New Jersey (Asbury Park), and Miami, with 220+ employees.
Key Takeaways
- Kivvit was created in 2015 through the merger of ASGK Public Strategies (founded 2002 by Eric Sedler and David Axelrod) and M Public Affairs (founded 2010 by Maggie Moran).
- In May 2023, Kivvit merged with Washington-based public affairs firm Subject Matter.
- In January 2024, the combined company formally rebranded as Avoq — a national advocacy and communications firm.
- Avoq has 220+ employees, approaches $100M in annual revenue, and operates from offices in Washington D.C., Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Miami.
- Avoq is owned by Coral Tree Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.
- Nicole Cornish (formerly Subject Matter CEO) is Avoq CEO. Kivvit co-founder Eric Sedler continues as a managing partner.
- Maggie Moran departed Kivvit in 2022 and launched Moxie Strategies in 2024 with several former Kivvit team members.
