Tad Devine

Political Consultant | Chief Strategist

Bernie Sanders 2016 Campaign

Politics: The After-Bern

When Tad Devine, veteran strategist to high-profile global elections and “one of the nation’s most respected media consultants” (USA Today), signed on with the virtually unknown Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, insiders noticed. Soon everyone noticed. The campaign exploded in popularity. It was so engaging that it was often referred to as a movement. ‘Feel the Bern’ continues long after Hillary won the nomination. Tad will share some of the lessons on engagement from the campaign trail.

About Tad Devine

Since 1993, Tad Devine has worked as a media consultant— writing, directing and producing television and radio advertising for leading Democratic and Independent candidates in the U.S. and providing strategic advice for national campaigns in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. He has produced television advertising in 20 winning U.S. Senate and Gubernatorial campaigns, and worked as a media consultant and strategist in 10 winning campaigns for President or Prime Minister around the world.

In the United States, Devine has worked at the highest levels of campaigns for President. Devine serves as senior adviser to the Bernie Sanders campaign for President 2016. In 2000, he acted as senior strategist to the Gore/Lieberman campaign and oversaw day-to-day operations management in the general election. In 2004, he served as a senior adviser and strategist to Senator John Kerry’s campaign for President in both the primary and general election. He frequently represented the campaign on programs like Meet the Press and Face the Nation. Devine is considered one of the leading experts on the Democratic Party’s presidential nominating process and general election strategy.

Devine’s international experience includes his work as a strategist and media consultant for winning campaigns in Colombia (President Andrés Pastrana, 1998), Israel (Prime Minister Ehud Barak, 1999), Peru (President Alejandro Toledo, 2001), Bolivia (President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, 2002), Ireland (Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, 1997, 2002 and 2007), Honduras (President Mel Zelaya, 2005), and in Serbia (Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, 2014).

As a 2011 Fellow at The Institute of Politics at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Tad led a study group on international political consulting. He has taught campaign management and strategy courses at New York University, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, and The George Washington University.

Devine’s most recent publications include: “At Home and Abroad – The Decline of American Political Exceptionalism,” an essay which was published in the Harvard International Review. He was also a contributing author in Campaigning for President 2012: Strategy and Tactics with his chapter titled, “Obama Campaigns for Re-election”. Devine wrote “Paid Media – In an Era of Rapid and Revolutionary Change” a chapter in Campaigns on the Cutting Edge by Richard Semiatin.

Mr. Devine is a graduate of Brown University (A.B.) and Suffolk University School of Law (J.D), and is a member of the Bar in Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. Tad is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a nonpartisan NGO, which is a global leader in electoral administration and participation, as well as the promotion of democracy around the world.