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.
He has landed placements for clients in a host of top-tier media outlets, including
The Albany Times Union
AMNY Metro
The Associated Press
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
CBS2
Insider
Jewish Insider
Ms. Magazine
Newsday
Politico
The Kansas City Star
The Las Vegas Sun
The New York Daily News
The New York Times
The Real Deal
WABC
WNBC
WNYW (Fox 5)
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:
The American Chemistry Council
The Altneu Synagogue
Bronx Realty Advisory Board
The 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
The Gold Coast Book Fair
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. He also served as press secretary for a member of the New York State Assembly.
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 “Who’s Who in Communications,” “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 and 2024.
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 (later 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.
Photo credit: Andrea Gail Photography
“Who’s Who in Communications”
Three years ago, Ross Wallenstein launched his own PR firm, Wall to Wall Communications. Wallenstein’s résumé includes stints at J Strategies, Marathon Strategies and Marino as well as government and campaign staff roles at the state and federal level. Among his recent work is securing local coverage of a peer-to-peer teenage grief support group founded by two Long Island high schoolers, generating buzz for former Rep. Steve Israel’s inaugural Gold Coast Book Fair and guiding the Bronx Realty Advisory Board through union contract negotiations.
“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.