John Pollack

A former Special Assistant and Presidential Speechwriter for Bill Clinton, John Pollack advises clients on communication strategy and provides a full range of writing services. Whether it's a communications plan, keynote speech, sensitive memo or simply articulating the essence of a CEO's thoughts, John excels at translating complex ideas into simple, concise and compelling prose.

Prior to his work in the private sector, John worked at the White House and on Capitol Hill, where he was the wordsmith for House Democratic Whip David Bonior. John's speechwriting skills developed from extensive campaign experience and his work as a journalist, both in the United States and abroad.

John is a 1988 graduate of Stanford University, and began his writing career as a reporter for the Hartford Courant, in Connecticut. Later, he spent three years in Spain as a foreign correspondent, covering everything from business to bullfights for media that included the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today and Advertising Age. His first book, "The World On a String: How to Become a Freelance Foreign Correspondent," grew out of that experience.

In 2004 he published Cork Boat, a non-fiction account of his successful quest to build a 22-foot Viking ship made almost entirely of wine corks and its 2002 voyage down Portugal’s Douro River. The story was featured in 2008 on ABC’s 20/20 episode about the pursuit of happiness.

To the chagrin of his colleagues, John won the 1995 World Pun Championship – his first and only world title. He lives in New York City.

 
John Pollack

Won the 1995 World Pun Championship. Makes every word count in internal strategy documents.

 

 

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