Resolute was recently engaged by a member-based organization after they became a victim of a ransomware attack. The organization’s systems, including network file servers, phone system, internal HR data and membership information were all breached and their data encrypted. The organization, which includes several hundred employees who operate from offices in multiple states servicing more than 50,000 individual members were suddenly rendered completely ineffective and unable to conduct basic daily operations.

Resolute engaged immediately. We had an incident response professional on site within an hour of being called and conducted an immediate assessment of the situation to develop a recovery and response plan. After completing the initial assessment, it was clear the response protocols the organization believed were in place were in fact ineffective, hampering any type of timely recovery.

Resolute, in conjunction with an IT recovery specialist, immediately developed an internal response team, incorporating all of the organization’s key divisions, including IT, HR, communications, legal and membership. Working with the response team, Resolute developed a crisis communications plan with messaging to immediately inform all relevant parties of the current situation and plans moving forward.

Resolute then worked with the organization to move from containment to the recovery phase, identifying a forensic response team to further aid in the process to stop, contain and control the incident to recover from the attack.

After several weeks of ongoing activities and implementation of the response plan by the entire team, the organization’s network and infrastructure were restored and normal operation resumed.

Resolute has been focused on protecting jobs and ensuring American transit agencies have access to a competitive passenger railcar market on behalf of CRRC Sifang America. CRRC built a $100 million passenger railcar manufacturing facility in the Hegewisch neighborhood on the far south side of Chicago, which opened earlier this year. The new facility already employs more than 80 workers who are building the next generation of railcars for the CTA.

Now Chicago Tribune speaks out in an editorial.

America’s leading beverage companies are working together to reduce the industry’s plastic footprint through its new #EveryBottleBack initiative. They are designing their bottles to be 100% recyclable and investing in efforts to get their bottles back so they can remake them into new ones.

Watch the video https://vimeo.com/368636313/5bedddc852

Read more about the issue and how America’s three largest beverage companies: Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Keurig Dr. Pepper and the American Beverage Association are partnering to invest $100 million to improve recycling, processing and packaging.

For the second time in less than a year, Phoenix faced-off against the highly orchestrated, national effort to kill light rail projects throughout the country. And won.

On Tuesday, Phoenix voters soundly defeated a contentious ballot effort to put the brakes on any light rail project in Phoenix thanks to Invest in PHX, a high-stakes public affairs campaign. The Invest in PHX campaign demonstrated that these well-funded, well-organized transit-killing efforts can be stopped.

“We ran a disciplined, research-based campaign that deployed advanced predictive modeling, tested field strategies and personalized mail messaging,” said Resolute Vice President Tony Cani, who managed the Invest in Phoenix campaign. “But more than that, we built a diverse coalition of interests all fighting for the future of Phoenix.” Cani oversaw coalition building, campaign strategy and messaging, supervising all consultants and driving the campaign to success.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was a driving force in the fight against Propositions 105 and 106 and made their defeat a priority shortly after taking office. “Phoenix has a powerful vision for its future, and that future depends on light rail. In cities throughout the country, growth and revitalization is led by investment in public transportation including light rail. Light rail will connect our residents to jobs, our students to education and the people who call Phoenix home to each other,” said Phoenix Mayor Gallego.

“Tony and Resolute built a team that crossed partisan lines…a broad coalition of support that few could bring together and manage. With a tight timeline he managed a budget of more than a million dollars and executed a campaign that challenged conventional wisdom and won,” added Mayor Gallego.

The Invest in PHX campaign coalition transcended partisan politics and brought together business leaders and labor; neighborhood groups and elected officials; non-profit organizations and industry leaders; and community groups from the four corners of the city who rallied voters to defeat two controversial propositions on the ballot Tuesday, August 27: Proposition 105 (Stop Light Rail) and Proposition 106 (Drastically Cut City Services).

“Our national team of advocacy experts has deep understanding and experience mobilizing public and private sectors around an issue that is critical to their future,” said Resolute Founder and CEO Greg Goldner. “Industry leaders are realizing that while their expertise can build a light rail system, defeating these aggressive opponents to public transportation requires specialized public affairs experience.”

The pro light rail efforts also drew vigorous support from other Arizona and Phoenix elected officials including U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-9^th), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and former Phoenix Mayor; U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-7^th); and Phoenix City Council members Debra Stark and Laura Pastor who served as Invest in PHX Co-Chairs.

Congressman Stanton tweeted: “A great night for Phoenix and our region. Congrats @MayorGallego and the entire @No105No106 team. The people of Phoenix have spoken (again): transportation infrastructure investments make our city stronger.”

After Tuesday night’s victory, Mayor Gallego tweeted: “The broad coalition that came together to defeat these props deserve our thanks. Today we can celebrate our investment, our city, & our residents. We will have to step up to protect PHX again in the future but we should be encouraged that, together, we continue to move forward.”

Both ballot propositions were designed to undermine progress in Phoenix including halting construction on the $1 billion light rail project in South Phoenix and slashing funding for essential services like libraries, parks, and educational programming. Prop 106 would also scrap the current pension payment plan.

Just last October, Phoenix City Council approved 6-2 to move forward on the $1 billion South Central Light Rail Extension in South Phoenix, after a challenge from out-of-state light rail opponents. Since 2000, voters have consistently approved the city’s $31.5 billion transportation plan to create access to Phoenix residents across a 26-mile system. Tuesday’s vote was the fourth time Phoenix voters supported light rail.

The Obama Foundation just moved closer to building the new Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park – thanks to U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey who dismissed a lawsuit against the center.

Resolute was proud to be part of an inspired team who worked with the Foundation to secure this transformational landmark Presidential Center for Chicago.

The Obama Presidential Center promises to be a cultural, educational, artistic and recreational beacon on the South Side and an economic engine for the community and Chicago. The world-class project will include a towering museum, a two-story public meeting space, a branch of the Chicago Public Library and a Program and Athletic Center.

The $500 million project will create thousands of jobs in construction, on-site at the center and for community businesses.

The Publicity Club of Chicago recognized Resolute with seven awards at the 60^th Annual Golden Trumpet Awards. The awards recognize work completed on behalf of clients in a variety of disciplines, including public affairs, media relations, special events, branding and marketing.

“Golden Trumpets are one of the most coveted awards in the communications industry,” said Dave Smolensky, chief operating officer. “These awards represent the incredible level of work the entire Resolute team is executing on a daily basis and demonstrates the highest level of strategic thinking and creativity our clients have come to expect.”