Mercury has hired GOP pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward to direct the bi-partisan firm’s “polling capability” for its corporate clients.
“Their world-class experience offers clients the best in corporate polling, research and analysis,” Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney said in a statement. “Having Tony and Bob as senior counsel to the firm strengthens our comprehensive suite of services at Mercury.”
Both men made their names as the top survey researchers for former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential run. Fabrizio has since worked for a variety of corporate clients and most recently for Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s bid for the 2012 GOP White House nod.
Ward recently served as a pollster for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) during his gubernatorial runs in addition to working for the Republican National Committee.
“I’ve known many of the Mercury partners long before the firm launched in 1999,” Fabrizio stated. “The firm’s relentless focus on delivering measurable success and value to their clients has made Mercury the impressive global consultancy it is today. Bob and I are excited to work with the team to grow their research and polling capability.”
Their appointment was effective at the start of the month.