SJMC Welcomes Matthew Traub (BA’92) to its Board of Visitors

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is excited to welcome Matthew Traub (BA’92) to its Board of Visitors this fall. Traub is the chief operating officer and president of DKC, a full-service public relations, marketing and government affairs firm based in New York City, and is a key player in the firm’s technology, media business and crisis management areas.

“Our Board of Visitors play a vital role in moving our school forward, and I am grateful to Matt for lending his time and expertise to this mission,” said Kathleen Bartzen Culver, director of the school. “Matthew’s deep knowledge of technology, politics and media will enhance our BOV and provide a unique perspective for our students who aspire to work in similar fields.”

The SJMC established its Board of Visitors in 1996 to help the School engage with supporters and alumni and retain a professional and relevant competitive edge in journalism and mass communication education. The board meets twice a year to consult with faculty and staff and offer insights into our curriculum and service based on their industry experience. Get to know our new members and see the full list of Board of Visitors current and emeritus members.

Matthew Traub (BA’92) – COO & President, DKC

Matthew Traub serves as chief operating officer and president at communications firm DKC. In addition to being a principal, a member of the executive team and supervising several of DKC’s divisions, he is a key player in the firm’s technology, media business and crisis management areas. Traub has built and overseen DKC’s work with top tech and media brands, such as Airbnb, Etsy, Facebook, Tumblr, IAC, Uber, TIME and Bloomberg. He is a primary liaison with some of the tech industry’s most notable venture capital firms and has worked with some of the nation’s top CEOs, political leaders and personalities. He also supervised the media relations campaigns around Michael Eisner’s purchase of Portsmouth FC, Howard Stern’s move to SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the launch of Air America Radio, and he represented Vivendi Universal in the sale of its entertainment assets to NBC and Match Group for its IPO. He has managed the media strategy for an array of complex cases involving civil and criminal litigation, and has represented a diverse array of organizations including Yahoo, DoorDash, Warner Music Group, LinkedIn, BMW, Match Group and Sesame Workshop.

Traub joined DKC after nearly a decade on Capitol Hill working for three different members of Congress. As chief of staff and press secretary to Rep. Nita Lowey, a New York Democrat, Traub supervised a staff of 20 people in three offices and served as Lowey’s spokesman and liaison to the New York and national media. He also served as her legislative director and House Appropriations Committee aide. Prior to joining Lowey’s staff, Traub worked for Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and former Rep. Thomas Downey (D-NY).

Traub received a bachelor of arts in political science and journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a former chair of Planned Parenthood of New York City’s political board. He has been an adjunct instructor in New York University’s Department of Public Relations and Corporate Communications and has served as a judge for the PR Week Awards and PRSA Silver Anvil Awards.