Decades of Experience

Assessing Challenges

Recognizing Opportunities

Solving Problems

FocusDC principal Matt Gerson provides 24/7 hands-on attention to a limited number of clients.

Corporations, associations and start-ups will benefit from unconflicted strategic advice linked with creative tactical implementation.

Clients will meet their objectives thanks to the know-how gleaned in navigating the unprecedented digital upheaval that revolutionized the entertainment industry.

Representation will benefit from trust built over decades working with Republicans and Democrats at every level of seniority in Washington’s legislative and administrative institutions.

Messaging initiatives will be achieved through an unrivaled ability to distill complicated subjects into the succinct formats demanded by today’s media landscape.

As necessary, FocusDC will partner with experts Matt has worked with and vetted during his thirty years working in Washington’s unique ecosystem.

Principal of FocusDC: Matt Gerson

When Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were asked to identify the most important factor for their success they both gave the same answer – “FOCUS”

Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations Universal Music Group, October 1995 – October 2015
Led the transitioning company’s interaction with the Congress and Administration, and coordinated its work with industry trade associations. An entertainment community leader who worked with executives around the world on matters involving intellectual property, the online and mobile marketplace, M&A, tax and international trade.

Vice President, Congressional Affairs Motion Picture Association of America, 1989 – 1995
Represented the major producers of movies and TV programming under the mentorship of the association’s legendary CEO, Jack Valenti.

General Counsel, United States Senate Judiciary Committee Technology and the Law Subcommittee, 1987 – 1988
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Chairman

Counsel, United States Senate Judiciary Committee Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks Subcommittee, 1985 – 1986
Senator Charles Mathias (R-Maryland), Chairman
Devised strategies for and negotiated on behalf of the senators’ legislative, public policy and enforcement priorities

Georgetown University Law Center, JD, 1984 Tufts University, BA cum laude, 1980
Married with two children.  An avid skier and erratic golfer.

Founder and Chairman of Tracy’s Kids
A charity that helps children with cancer cope with the emotional toll imposed by the disease and its treatment. Watch this video — which captures its mission and impact.

What Leaders Are Saying about FocusDC

We may all see the same set of facts and the same playing field, but Matt typically comes up with an insight or strategic move that others miss. In a town where everyone says they are creative, he really is... I have always valued his novel perspective along with his signature candor."
Mitch Bainwol
CEO
Automobile Manufacturers Alliance
Matt’s relationships and credibility are real. Many people in Washington know one another but Matt connects in a way that enables him to provide input that policymakers respect and take seriously."
Former Congressman Howard Berman (D-Cal)
Matt has an ability to take a complicated subject and boil it down to its essence. It’s an invaluable skill when trying to engage busy people."
David Israelite
President and CEO
National Music Publishers Association
During my years in the Senate, Matt was always an informed and intelligent source of counsel and a trusted and wise advocate. More recently, we have been on the opposite sides of some high profile debates and through it all, my colleagues and I benefited from the good humor, integrity and thoughtfulness he brings to the table."
Former Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon)
Chairman and CEO
National Association of Broadcasters
Matt simultaneously focuses on big-picture strategies and small-picture tactics. He has the unusual ability to operate at 50,000 feet and 1,000 feet without losing sight of either. Meetings end with action items, follow-through and implementation."
Cary Sherman
Chairman and CEO
Recording Industry Association of America

Illustrative Representations

  • Collaborated with music industry leaders to make the online and mobile marketplace viable for artists and rights holders.
    X "As President and COO of Universal Music Group, I worked closely with Matt during a decade when our business faced tumultuous change. I always wanted him at the table as we discussed policy and strategy because even when issues were totally new to him he brought an invaluable common sense perspective. We were fortunate to have his experience navigating the sometime byzantine ways of government, as well as his extensive network of contacts -- people from both political parties who really like and respect him personally."
    Zach Horowitz
    former President and COO
    Universal Music Group
  • Repeated M&A experience as both the acquiring and acquired companies advocating before Congress and federal regulators.
    X "As President and COO of Universal Music Group, I worked closely with Matt during a decade when our business faced tumultuous change. I always wanted him at the table as we discussed policy and strategy because even when issues were totally new to him he brought an invaluable common sense perspective. We were fortunate to have his experience navigating the sometime byzantine ways of government, as well as his extensive network of contacts -- people from both political parties who really like and respect him personally."
    Zach Horowitz
    former President and COO
    Universal Music Group
  • Introduced a publicly traded manufacturer to DC’s policymakers and decision makers overseeing issues ranging from cybersecurity to substance abuse in the workplace.
    X "From the outset, Matt quickly brought ideas and broad based support to our unique program for helping our Richmond, Indiana workforce and community combat substance misuse. His expertise and action-oriented approach translated into valuable connections with state, congressional and White House officials, and generated greater awareness and support for the company and this initiative. As an aside, he is also an absolute pleasure to work with!"
    Dean McKenna
    Senior Vice President, Human Resources
    Belden Inc.
  • Providing programming and communications advice to a next generation cable provider introducing itself to the D.C. business and political marketplace.
    X "What my team most appreciates about Matt is that he is always thinking about us, continually coming to us with ideas and accessible whenever we need his input."
    Jeff Binder
    Chairman and CEO
    Layer3 TV
  • Worked with the head of a global independent investment bank to develop a plan for introducing the firm to Washington policymakers.
    X "Matt really gets Washington, and continually offers judgement and perspective I value."
    Ken Moelis
    Chairman and CEO
    Moelis & Co.
  • Guiding a start up in the injury prevention space so it can quickly introduce its innovative technology to congressional leaders and government officials.
    X "FocusDC quickly assessed our business, recognized how we fit into the congressional policymaking process, and delivered beyond expectations."
    John Currier
    CEO
    Mobile Virtual Player
  • Offering strategic and marketing advice to an online subscription video programmer.
    X "Media companies -- indeed entire industries -- live or die based on decisions made in Washington. FocusDC has been an invaluable ear to the ground and sounding board for us as the nascent over-the-top television industry begins to take shape "
    John Klein
    Founder and CEO
    TAPP
  • Connecting a musician-focused start-up to artists and music execs who could use their online back office to better navigate the live entertainment space.
    X "Matt is a quick study who -- within weeks of our first meeting -- had me sitting with the right music industry pros in LA, DC and Nashville. "
    Nicole Gallub
    www.pelonkey.com
  • Providing communications and messaging advice aimed at increasing market share for an online newsletter targeting boomers, older adults and care providers.
    X "Matt really keeps us focused on simplifying our messages and helps turn sleepy health care information into digestible, accessible advice."
    Diane Archer
    JustCare
  • Advising the Tourette Association of America on its representation before Congress and the federal agencies.
    X "Matt took our legislative game to a new level and, thanks to his guidance, unprecedented successes."
    Judit Ungar
    Tourette Association of America

Alpine Group

Matt in the News

 

Measuring Success with Smiles at Tracy’s Kids (Catalogue for Philanthropy, October 19, 2017)

Washingtonians of the Year 2007: Matt Gerson (Washingtonian, January 1, 2008)

What Jack Valenti Taught Us All (Washington Post, April 28, 2007)