Veteran Public Affairs Leader Launches AI-Focused Consulting Firm to Reshape Influence Strategies

Damian O'Doherty, a prominent figure in Maryland's political and public affairs landscape, has established O'Doherty & Associates, departing from KO Public Affairs, the firm he co-founded nearly two decades ago. After 17 years building KO Public Affairs, O'Doherty stated that the public affairs landscape has transformed, requiring new approaches for what he termed the AI epoch. The new venture will concentrate on helping leaders, institutions, and innovators achieve resonance in this rapidly evolving environment by combining expertise across law, influence, media, and capital strategy.

O'Doherty & Associates operates as a family of firms with presence in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Colorado, while maintaining global operations. The organization encompasses a Maryland-based law practice, an Aspen influence and public affairs agency, and a global capital network. Among its specialized services is Health Counsel, which provides healthcare executives with policy and strategic guidance. The firm's methodology acknowledges that artificial intelligence is fundamentally restructuring how influence functions across various industries.

This strategic move represents a significant transition for O'Doherty, whose career includes shaping some of the region's most notable initiatives, from healthcare advocacy and infrastructure expansion to economic development surrounding the Port of Baltimore and the D.C. Beltway. His background as an early investor in MGM National Harbor and his leadership in affordable housing initiatives for Aspen firefighters provides substantial credibility for understanding contemporary leadership and influence demands. The announcement appeared first on https://citybiz.com, underscoring the business implications of this consulting sector evolution.

O'Doherty characterized traditional public affairs approaches as inadequate for current challenges, stating that the boxing gloves that built KO Public Affairs don't fit what's next. He emphasized that today's environment requires new tools, sharper instincts, and a broader canvas. From state legislatures and healthcare systems to data centers and international markets, O'Doherty & Associates aims to guide leaders through an era where artificial intelligence and human narrative are collectively transforming influence mechanisms. The firm's establishment reflects recognition that conventional public affairs strategies may prove insufficient in an AI-driven context where communication, policy, and strategy intersect in novel ways.

Firms must be fit to fight for a new future, O'Doherty declared, indicating that this next phase begins immediately. The creation of O'Doherty & Associates responds to increasing demand for specialized advisory services capable of navigating the complex convergence of artificial intelligence, policy formulation, and strategic influence across diverse sectors and geographic regions. This development signals broader industry recognition that artificial intelligence integration represents not merely a technological shift but a fundamental restructuring of how influence operates across the business and policy landscape.