The inspiration behind the hit TV show “Scandal” joins Jane McGarry to discuss being a D.C. “fixer” and pull back the curtain on fact vs. fiction.
On June 16, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is thrilled to welcome Judy Smith, the D.C.-based crisis management expert and co-executive producer of the hit TV show “Scandal,” as part of the Engage at the Bush Center series. The event, taking place at 6:30 p.m., features a conversation between Ms. Smith and moderator Jane McGarry of WFAA-TV that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the facts and fiction of the hit show, and crisis communications in the nation’s capital.
Tickets include after-hours entry to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, including the special exhibit Path to the Presidency, which explores the history of campaigns and elections in the U.S.
Ms. Smith, the inspiration behind the Olivia Pope character on “Scandal,” is the founder and President of Smith & Co., a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Having represented a broad range of clients from Fortune 500 companies to sports stars, celebrities, and politicians, Ms. Smith has played a key role in some of the most historic and sensational events of our time.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Smith served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Press Secretary in the White House of President George H.W. Bush.
Ms. McGarry hosts “Good Morning Texas,” the popular lifestyle and entertainment program that airs daily on WFAA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Dallas-Fort Worth. Prior to joining the “Good Day Texas” team, Ms. McGarry worked for 30 years as a reporter, anchor, and producer at NBC’s Dallas-Fort Worth network station KXAS-TV.
Open through October 9, Path to the Presidency lets visitors relive landmark elections of years past, as well as step into the candidate’s shoes, creating their own campaign posters and delivering speeches from a teleprompter.
To purchase tickets for “A Conversation with Judy Smith: The Inspiration Behind Scandal,” visit www.bushcenter.org/engage.
