Matthew Hiltzik
Encyclopedia
Matthew Hiltzik is the founder of the strategic communications and consulting firm, Hiltzik Strategies, representing influential companies, organizations, and high profile individuals in media, entertainment, publishing, finance, politics and philanthropy.
's ILR School before moving on to the Fordham School of Law. His early post-law school life consisted of working as press secretary and deputy executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee
, where he worked on the 1998 campaigns of Chuck Schumer and Eliot Spitzer
and Hillary Clinton's Listening Tour in July 1999. In December 1999, Hiltzik left the NY Dems to join Miramax as head of corporate communications, where he was involved in public relations for Miramax Films, Miramax Books, Miramax TV, Talk magazine, and philanthropic and political fundraising and crisis management while also serving as personal spokesman for Harvey Weinstein
and the company.
, Don and Deirdre Imus, Glenn Beck, Alec Baldwin
, Trudie Styler, Jamie McCourt, Justin Bieber, Sean Parker, Univision's Raul de Molina, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Over the last few years he has had to fend off rumors surrounding Couric's tumultous tenure as anchor of CBS Evening News and it was Hiltzik who did damage control for Alec Baldwin after a voicemail of him verbally assaulting his daughter became an internet sensation in April 2007. In 2007, he also repped Imus in his comeback after the shock jock was accused of making an insensitive racial remark.
Hiltzik Strategies helps manage corporate communications for many organizations including The Weinstein Company, Jane Friedman's Open Road Integrated Media, and See Saw Films (The King's Speech). In addition, the firm works with numerous non-profits including the Rainforest Foundation, Child Mind Institute, Gen YOUth Foundation, Entertainment Industry Foundation, and Norman Mailer Center.
, a moving and inspiring documentary film that captures how Tennessee Middle School students responded to lessons about the Holocaust-with a promise to honor every lost soul by collecting one paper clip for each individual exterminated by the Nazis. He also executive produced a second movie, Holy Land Hardball
, about the attempt to bring minor league baseball to Israel. Most recently, Hiltzik co-produced Tiffany Shlain's documentary Connected, which explores the connections linking major issues of our time.
Early life
Hiltzik was raised in Teaneck, New Jersey and attended Cornell UniversityCornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
's ILR School before moving on to the Fordham School of Law. His early post-law school life consisted of working as press secretary and deputy executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee
New York State Democratic Committee
The New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
, where he worked on the 1998 campaigns of Chuck Schumer and Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
and Hillary Clinton's Listening Tour in July 1999. In December 1999, Hiltzik left the NY Dems to join Miramax as head of corporate communications, where he was involved in public relations for Miramax Films, Miramax Books, Miramax TV, Talk magazine, and philanthropic and political fundraising and crisis management while also serving as personal spokesman for Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, CBE is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. He is best known as co-founder of Miramax Films. He and his brother Bob have been co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company, their film production company, since 2005...
and the company.
Politics
In 2000, Hiltzik took a brief leave from the Weinsteins to re-join Hillary Clinton's campaign as the director of Jewish relations, as he is an Orthodox Jew. He soon left politics to rejoin with the Weinstein brothers, after the brothers finalized their deal to leave Miramax. Hiltzik teamed up with the U.K.-based publicity company, Freud Communications, to start up their U.S. operations. He went out on his own in early 2008 to start up Hiltzik Strategies. Hiltzik maintains his political roots advising several campaigns including Reshma Saujani's 2010 candidacy for the 14th district of New York, and Thomas DiNapoli in his successful bid for New York Senate Comptroller. Hiltzik is also currently advising Jose Antonio Vargas's DefineAmerican campaign to elevate the national conversation about immigration policy and to pass the DREAM Act.Hiltzik Strategies
Clients of Hiltzik's new firm include Katie CouricKatie Couric
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric is an American journalist and author. She serves as Special Correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials...
, Don and Deirdre Imus, Glenn Beck, Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin
Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin III is an American actor who has appeared on film, stage, and television.Baldwin first gained recognition through television for his work in the soap opera Knots Landing in the role of Joshua Rush. He was a cast member for two seasons before his character was killed off...
, Trudie Styler, Jamie McCourt, Justin Bieber, Sean Parker, Univision's Raul de Molina, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Over the last few years he has had to fend off rumors surrounding Couric's tumultous tenure as anchor of CBS Evening News and it was Hiltzik who did damage control for Alec Baldwin after a voicemail of him verbally assaulting his daughter became an internet sensation in April 2007. In 2007, he also repped Imus in his comeback after the shock jock was accused of making an insensitive racial remark.
Hiltzik Strategies helps manage corporate communications for many organizations including The Weinstein Company, Jane Friedman's Open Road Integrated Media, and See Saw Films (The King's Speech). In addition, the firm works with numerous non-profits including the Rainforest Foundation, Child Mind Institute, Gen YOUth Foundation, Entertainment Industry Foundation, and Norman Mailer Center.
Side Projects
Hiltzik executive produced Paper ClipsPaper Clips Project
The Paper Clips Project is a project by middle school students from the small southeastern Tennessee city of Whitwell who created a monument for the Holocaust victims in Nazi Germany. It started in 1998 as a simple 8th-grade project and evolved into one gaining worldwide attention. At last count,...
, a moving and inspiring documentary film that captures how Tennessee Middle School students responded to lessons about the Holocaust-with a promise to honor every lost soul by collecting one paper clip for each individual exterminated by the Nazis. He also executive produced a second movie, Holy Land Hardball
Holy Land Hardball
Holy Land Hardball is a documentary film about starting a professional baseball league in Israel. It is the story of the founding of the Israel Baseball League.-Synopsis:...
, about the attempt to bring minor league baseball to Israel. Most recently, Hiltzik co-produced Tiffany Shlain's documentary Connected, which explores the connections linking major issues of our time.