Funny or Die, the online comedy outlet co-created by funnyman Will Ferrell, has hired a former Obama administration official to manage a new office it will open in Washington, D.C.
Brad Jenkins, former associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, will take the reins of Funny or Die’s new D.C. outpost, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Funny or Die is well-known for its online comedy series Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, in which celebrities sit down with the comedian for an awkward interview. President Obama appeared on the program last year to promote the Affordable Care Act.
Jenkins, who served as the President’s liaison to the creative community in his previous role at the White House, will reportedly create politically-themed content for the comedy site. The D.C. outpost will also reportedly offer online brand strategy consulting services.
“Whether working behind the scenes to help drive traffic to Healthcare.gov through the president’s appearance on Between Two Ferns or helping celebrities engage on the president’s policy initiatives, Brad served as a key link to creative executives, artists, advocacy leaders, and more,” senior Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett said in a statement. “We will miss his creative energy at the White House, but I couldn’t be more eager to see what the future holds for Brad.”
Funny or Die has in the past enlisted celebrities for a variety of politically-themed comedy skits, including Prop 8: The Musical, in which Jack Black and John C. Reilly lampooned supporters of California’s Proposition 8. Earlier this week, the site released “Indiana’s Anti Gay Tourism Commercial.”