Martin Waymire, a Michigan-based, full-service public relations and digital marketing firm with a focus on public policy, announced today the addition of Josh Hovey, APR, to its award-winning team as a vice president.
Hovey comes to Martin Waymire from Truscott Rossman, where he served as senior vice president and managed brand reputation, digital media, community relations, crisis communications, ballot campaigns, and other strategic communications services for dozens of clients for more than 11 years. He has earned a reputation as an exceptional strategist with high-quality communications skills demonstrated in his work for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local non-profit organizations to government agencies and elected leaders.
Through his work at Truscott Rossman, Hovey served as spokesperson and communications director on the winning 2018 campaign to pass Proposal 1 on the statewide ballot legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults 21 and older in Michigan. He was also instrumental in launching the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, the state’s largest trade association for businesses in the licensed marijuana industry.
At Martin Waymire, Hovey will assume a senior leadership position at a firm with 14 team members who have won more than 100 awards for public relations excellence. Notably, Martin Waymire staffers have won the top PR award in the nation, the Silver Anvil, a remarkable four times — including in 2019 for the campaign to pass the Proposal 2 redistricting measure on the statewide ballot. A Michigan State University alumnus, Hovey is the fifth Martin Waymire team member who has earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America.
“Josh’s experience, skill set, character, spirit and personality are perfect fits at Martin Waymire,” said Martin Waymire Partner Roger Martin, APR. “As our firm continues to grow and as our current partners look to transition over the next few years to a new leadership and ownership team, we expect Josh to play a significant role in the future of the company.”
“Martin Waymire’s team is well known for having some of the best and most experienced communications experts in the business,” said Hovey. “But probably what I am most excited about is joining a team that shares the same passion for making Michigan a better place. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work on behalf of our clients.”
Martin Waymire principals and staff have a long track record of effectively managing public relations, advocacy and issue campaigns across Michigan for small to large corporations, coalitions and associations in industries and policy areas including health care, public health, utilities and energy, high tech, insurance, casino gaming, K-12 and higher education, public transportation, telecommunications, local, county and state governments, the beverage industry and more.
Martin Waymire team members have led or helped to manage 13 local, county and statewide ballot question campaigns, winning far more than they have lost.
Headquartered in downtown Lansing about ½ mile southwest of the Capitol, Martin Waymire specializes in earned media strategy, social and digital media management, community relations and crisis communications.
