Political advertising consultant Jim Crounse will give a talk at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications the day after the election in a public forum called "Election 2008: Why Did That Happen?" The talk will begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 5 in the J.C. Seacrest Lecture Hall in Andersen Hall, 16th and Q streets. The forum is free and open to the public.

Crounse is frequently called on to speak on political strategy and direct mail to campaign management students, candidates, and the House Democratic Caucus.

Crounse, a partner of the Mack-Crounse Group, has helped to elect many key figures in the Democratic Party during his 26-year political career on Capitol Hill. Mack-Crounse is a direct mail consultant in the Democratic Party. His more notable clients have included New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh; Montana Sen. Max Baucus; North Dakota Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad; Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel; and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Crounse has created direct-mail programs for the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, as well as many international unions and progressive institutions.

Crounse taught a course in direct mail at George Washington University in 1997 and was recognized by Campaigns & Elections as a "Rising Star in Politics" in 1998.

Prior to going to Washington, D.C., Crounse had a political consulting firm in Omaha where he produced direct mail, TV and radio ads for Democratic candidates and grassroots campaigns. He also worked for the Nebraska Legislature and served as the Director of the Nebraska Film and Television Office.

Crounse served as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Max Baucus from 1994 to 1995, and Nebraska Rep. Peter Hoagland from 1989 to 1991. He went to Washington in 1987 to work for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.