Experience Matters.

 

Founder & CEO

Ross M. Wallenstein

Ross M. Wallenstein is the Founder and CEO of Wall to Wall Communications, LLC.  He is a public affairs and communications professional who combines a 20-year career in both the state and federal government with a history of managing ambitious communications and stakeholder programs for a host of private and public corporations and nonprofit organizations.  

PUBLIC RELATIONS WORK

Ross’s expertise covers a wide spectrum, including non-profits, real estate, political campaigns, stakeholder outreach, consumer issues, transportation, energy, community affairs, and neighborhood branding. 

Before founding Wall to Wall Communications in 2021, Ross spent more than eight years at public relations agencies, where - among other accomplishments - he was instrumental in developing and expanding his company’s role with McDonald’s Corporation and its network of local franchisees. Due largely to Ross’s hard work and dedication, the firm became the agency of record for all 600 McDonald’s restaurants in the New York metropolitan area.

Ross has also represented such clients as:

  • Bronx Realty Advisory Board

  • Center for Jewish History

  • The Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)

  • Con Edison Solutions

  • Crain’s New York Business

  • Don’t Stay

  • Ferrero USA

  • Former Members of Congress for Israel

  • Grubhub

  • Homeowners for An Affordable New York

  • iStar

  • JFKIAT

  • Maryland State Del. Ryan Spiegel

  • The City of New Rochelle

  • Nuvance Health

  • Operation Benjamin

  • Sid Jacobson JCC

  • Stellar Management

  • The Union Square Partnership

POLITICAL WORK

Ross developed extensive knowledge of communications and public policy through his years spent in government and on campaigns. He served in the administrations of former New York Governors Eliot Spitzer and David A. Paterson, where he coordinated messaging among elected officials, business leaders, non-profits, and community groups.  

Prior to his work in state government, Ross spent four years working alongside former U.S. Representative Gary L. Ackerman, where he was involved in everything from international affairs to community relations and local politics in the Congressman’s district, which spanned wide portions of Queens and Nassau Counties. He also served as Ackerman’s fundraising director for two congressional elections.

Ross has also worked on campaigns for New York City Mayor, New York State Assembly, and the New York State Senate.  In 2011, he served as campaign manager for the special election victory of the late New York State Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz. He was the communications director for the 2021 New York City Comptroller campaign of Assemblyman David Weprin, managing external efforts for the highly competitive citywide primary, including media relations, speech writing, thought leadership, messaging, and social media. Weprin received the endorsement of The New York Daily News.   

RECOGNITION & WRITING

Ross has been honored by City & State as one of “The 2024 Political PR Power 75” and The 2023 Political PR Power 50.” The publication twice recognized him as one of the “Long Island Power 100,” and a “Rising Star” in NYC politics. He was also listed among the inaugural “Power Players in PR & Lobbying” by Politics NY in 2023.

A writer at heart, Ross has been published in The New York Daily News, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, PR Daily, O’Dwyer’s, PR Week, The Long Island Press, and The Queens Courier. 

PERSONAL

Ross is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he majored in US history. He spent much of his time writing for the school newspaper and interning on Capitol Hill for then-US Representative (now Senator) Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland.

He lives on Long Island with his wife, Stacey, and their three children. He is an amateur chef and an avid reader of historical biographies who enjoys riding his bicycle on Long Island’s many scenic trails. 

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Photo credit: Andrea Gail Photography


“The 2024 Political PR Power 75”

Bipartisanship in Washington, D.C., may be increasingly rare, but Ross Wallenstein is demonstrating that former members of Congress can work in a bipartisan fashion. Wallenstein teamed up with former Reps. Steve Israel (a Democrat) and Lee Zeldin (a Republican) to promote the launch of Former Members of Congress for Israel in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. Wall to Wall Communications also assists Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit that aims to ensure American soldiers mistakenly buried under the wrong religious symbols overseas are given the proper religious markings.

“Power Players in Public Relations and Lobbying”

PoliticsNY & amNY Metro’s Power Players in Public Relations & Lobbying list looks to highlight the leaders of New York’s top PR and lobbying firms who have dedicated their careers to ensuring each of their clients receives the optimal exposure across the City and State. Public relations professionals across New York navigate the dynamic media landscape to create favorable public perceptions for their clients, whether they be corporations, nonprofits, or public figures.

“The 2023 Political PR Power 50”

Ross Wallenstein’s one-man operation has only been in business since the middle of 2021, but the PR veteran has retained some notable clients. Among them are Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit that replaces headstones of Jewish American service members mistakenly buried under Latin crosses, which was featured this year in The New York Times and other outlets.

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