The Podesta Group is a lobbying and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C.. It was founded in 1988 by brothers John Podesta and Tony Podesta and has previously been known as Podesta Associates, podesta.com and PodestaMattoon. The firm most recently reorganized in January 2007 after current Chairman Tony Podesta split with former business partner Dan Mattoon.
Podesta Group represents U.S. corporations, as well as non-profits, associations and governments. It "has close ties to the Democratic Party and the Obama administration" although its CEO, Kimberley Fritts, is identified by the group as "a fixture in Republican politics," having worked for former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
The firm reported earning $27.4 million in lobbying fees in 2011. In 2007, Chairman Tony Podesta was ranked by his peers as the third most influential lobbyist in Washington.
