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Michael Wissot
Managing General Partner, SymAction Communications
Adjunct Professor of Communication, Pepperdine University
Political Analyst, KABC Talk Radio
Michael Wissot is one of the leading communication strategists in America today.
He has transformed political and corporate communication platforms in every major
sector, becoming the choice expert for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies,
CEOs and public officials seeking strategic communication counsel and market
research.
Wissot, now a managing general partner at SymAction Communications and
previously a vice president at Luntz Research, has conducted market research and
developed communication campaigns for such clients as Coca-Cola, Kroger, Pfizer,
Miller Brewing, Comcast, Thomson Reuters, Ameriquest Mortgage, Los Angeles
Dodgers, Universal, 20th Century FOX, Motion Pictures Association of America, Wynn
Las Vegas, MGM Mirage, Starwood Hotels, Monster Worldwide and various
government agencies and trade associations.
Wissot has contributed to strategic communication projects for President George W.
Bush, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and other
world leaders and CEOs.
He has earned his reputation as a seasoned focus group moderator, helping
companies prepare for product launches, national TV ad campaigns, public
awareness campaigns, labor disputes, product testing and viability.
His research and recommendations were instrumental in launching a variety of
global brands; winning accolades for national TV advertising campaigns; revamping
sales strategies to increase client retention and conversion rates; building the
personal brands of high-profiled CEOs and training them to communicate
strategically (to customers, employees, investors, media); resolving labor disputes
with union leaders while maintaining internal/external support; securing regulatory
approval for patented products; creating major public-private partnerships
(federal/state); and advancing issue-advocacy campaigns for nonprofit
organizations.
Wissot has also served the last six years as an adjunct professor of communication
at Pepperdine University, as well as a political analyst on television and talk radio.
He lectures around the world on corporate strategy, market research, public policy,
sales training, talent management and employee communication.
Wissot co-authored a popular business book, The 10 People Who Suck – A Positive
Prescription for Improving Communication in the Workplace. Beyond its
lighthearted discussion of the most problematic office personalities, the book
encourages managers and employees to address behavior liabilities that impede
organizational and individual progress. It has received glaring reviews from
business leaders and journals, as well as profiles in U.S. News & World Report and
Sales & Marketing Management.
From 1999 to 2002, Wissot served as CEO of Dentistry.com, a dental referral company
that he sold to 1-800-DENTIST® in 2006. Dentistry.com remains the leading online
referral service nationwide.
For 10 years, Wissot has handled various political duties for U.S. Senator John
McCain – recently as a surrogate speaker and advisor on his 2008 presidential
campaign. While working on Capitol Hill for Senator McCain and the Senate
Commerce Committee, Wissot covered tobacco reform, the moratorium on Internet
taxation, and deregulating the telecom industry.
His background in the sports business sector includes various stints in business
development, public relations and marketing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San
Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from James Madison University, a Master of
Business Administration degree from The University of Arizona, and a Master of
International Management degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Wissot has made several television and radio appearances, including FOX News,
the Al Rantel Show, Larry Elder Show, Mark Larson Show, Jon & Ken Show, and
Toward Tradition Show. He has also published articles for PR Week, Street &
Smith's Sports Business Journal, Opportunity World, Detroit Free Press, Jerusalem
Post, and Los Angeles Daily News.
He serves on the Board of Directors for StandWithUs, James Madison University's
Department of Communication Studies, and the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley.
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