Heather & Tony Podesta

GQ has published a list of its 50 most powerful people in Washington and a few spots are occupied by PR pros. At number 23 are Heather and Tony Podesta, who each run lobbying and government relations firms, Heather Podesta + Partners and Podesta Group respectively. Their blurb says they’ve raised $90 million during the Obama administration.

In at number 42 are Jayne Sandman and Barbara Martin from BrandlinkDC (technically two people, which raises the number of people on the list, but OK GQ). They’re joined in that slot by Brightest Young Things blogger Svetlana Legetic. Which raises the number one more, but who’s counting.

It’s interesting that a group listed as “party planners” would be counted on the same power list as government leaders, officials, and members of the media, but it speaks to the need to network in that town (or any town, to be sure). The term “VIPs” is used twice in their very short write-up. And under “Power Key,” they get cool points, which, as we all know from high school, are the only points that really count.

And at number 48 is Jack Quinn, chairman of Quinn Gillespie & Associates, another Democratic lobbying firm that represents organizations like AT&T.

Also on the list from the comms world are Dan Pfeiffer, White House director of comms at number 15 because, hey, he gets to work in the White House.