Podesta Group

A renowned former foreign correspondent with The Washington Post and distinguished editor of POLITICO magazine, John Ward Anderson brings extensive experience to the Podesta Group’s international and public relations practices. Drawing on an in-depth understanding of foreign policy earned in the field, he provides strategic counsel for the firm’s international clients on issues such as trade and investment and emerging democracies. John also advises firm clients on crafting and executing effective PR and communications strategies.

Before joining the Podesta Group, John was one of the longest-serving correspondents in the history of The Washington Post, spending 16 years overseas as bureau chief in New Delhi, Mexico City, Istanbul, Jerusalem and Paris. Along the way, John also became one of the Post’s primary war correspondents and wrote extensively on the US role in conflicts and peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan, and spearheading the paper’s groundbreaking coverage of Iran. More recently, as a top editor at POLITICO, John edited coverage of the White House, health care, energy and the environment, the economy and defense for POLITICO’s website and daily newspaper.

John has quickly put points on the board on behalf of Podesta Group clients. Bringing his distinguished experience in journalism and press relationships to bear, John pitched and secured a slot for a major international client to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ. As a result of the appearance and speeches, there was significant accompanying media coverage and an hour’s worth of video and pictures broadcast on NASDAQ’s seven-story video screen overlooking Times Square in New York. Coverage following the event included interviews on US and international television networks and with major US financial reporters.

John grew up in Simsbury, CT, and Framingham, MA. He has a bachelor's from Harvard and speaks Spanish.