About

Walt Cronkite is a trusted public affairs professional with a proven record in media relations, persuasive writing, and crafting messaging strategies. A former reporter, Walt believes in clear and concise writing, straight talk, and thorough research to back up messaging with hard facts. Walt thrives in crises and high stakes situations and encourages his clients to reach out to him at any hour for immediate support, last minute marching orders, or to talk through a problem. 

Walt previously worked in public relations for global law firm Latham & Watkins, where he led external communications and served as the media contact for the firm’s Connectivity, Privacy & Information practice and the Environment, Land & Resources practice. Prior to Latham, Walt worked in public affairs and government relations for FTI Consulting Strategic Communications, helping clients navigate crises, congressional investigations, and litigation. Engagements at FTI included: leading media relations for the start-up satellite company OneWeb; working with a global energy company’s legal counsel to create public messaging in support of their courtroom strategy; conducting taped mock interviews with a financial client’s leadership team to prepare for TV interviews; helping prepare an industrial executive’s congressional testimony and then working with reporters to ensure fair coverage of the testimony.

Walt began his career at CBS News, and as a congressional reporter/producer he covered legislation, high-profile hearings, and cabinet/judicial confirmations. During this time, Walt built strong relationships with members of Congress and their staffs and with much of the rest of the Washington press corps. In 2017, Walt’s peers elected him Chairman of the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association, the organization tasked by Congress with credentialing journalists, overseeing Capitol Hill briefing rooms, and advocating for press access.

Walt co-edited the book Cronkite’s War, a compilation of his grandfather’s letters home from World War II, published by National Geographic Press in May 2013.  In addition to numerous on-air appearances for CBS News, he has appeared on Fox News, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Sirius XM Radio, and more than a dozen local radio stations. 

Walt lives in Old Town, Alexandria with his wife, two children, and a rambunctious Springer Spaniel. In his free time he enjoys spirited political discussions with his friends, reading history, hiking, paddleboarding, and sailing.