STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Strategy and results for the complex intersection of government, politics, and business.

Crisis management. Strategic communications. Ongoing counsel for the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.

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The moments that define you — we're built for those.

We're named after the 22 characters of the first efficient alphabet. They thrived because they were precise and adaptable. In an AI world where volume is cheap, we provide the judgment that changes outcomes.

22 Characters exists at the intersection of strategy and consequence. When institutions, executives, and organizations face their most complex communications challenges — from Capitol Hill scrutiny to courtroom narratives, from breaking crises to long-term movement building — we provide the counsel, the clarity, and the command that turns pressure into advantage.

We are brought together by a shared belief that the right words, delivered with precision and integrity, can shift the course of events. We partner with clients navigating crises, congressional investigations, media scrutiny, and public debate, equipping them with the strategy, the message, and the confidence to lead.

Our work doesn't begin when a crisis hits. We partner with clients over the long term, helping them build the communications infrastructure, message discipline, and strategic foresight to navigate whatever comes next.

Founded by two veteran communicators, 22 Characters brings deep knowledge of the political landscape, creative instinct, and an unwavering commitment to achieving our clients' goals.

Services built for high-stakes moments.

  • Strategic Communications

    Comprehensive communications strategy anchored in clear-eyed thinking — anticipating how your message will land now and in the months ahead.

  • Legal Communications

    Proactive and defensive communications at the intersection of law and public narrative — managing reputation, media, and message through legal proceedings and investigations.

  • Crisis Management

    Rapid, disciplined counsel when the stakes are highest. We help organizations respond with clarity, protect what matters most, and emerge stronger.

  • Public Affairs

    Building and sustaining the relationships, coalitions, and narratives that shape how institutions are perceived by government, press, and the public.

  • Congressional Investigations

    Strategic counsel for organizations and individuals facing congressional scrutiny — managing the intersection of political, legal, and public communications with precision.

  • Issue Advocacy

    Building and sustaining campaigns that move public opinion and shape policy on the issues that matter — from climate and clean energy to immigration reform and beyond.

  • Message Development

    Crafting the language that captures your truth and moves your audience — precise, honest, and built to hold up under scrutiny.

  • Executive Communications

    Elevating how leaders communicate — speeches, statements, and ongoing counsel that builds voice, presence, and authority over time.

  • Hispanic Media & Latino Outreach

    Authentic, culturally fluent communications strategies that reach and engage Latino audiences in English, Spanish, and the spaces in between.

  • Inside the Beltway Communications

    Navigating the unique dynamics of Washington — from congressional offices to federal agencies — with the fluency that only comes from years at the center of it.

  • Media Relations

    Strategic engagement with journalists and media organizations, built on relationships earned over decades at the highest levels of American public life.

  • Paid Media Programs

    Managing and integrating paid media strategies that amplify earned efforts and drive outcomes across digital, broadcast, and print platforms.

Our Team

Xochitl Hinojosa

Founding Partner

Xochitl Hinojosa brings unmatched experience at the intersection of politics, law, and public communications. As a senior communications official at the U.S. Department of Justice, she navigated some of the most complex and high-profile institutional communications challenges in the federal government — developing a rare fluency in legal, policy, and political messaging that few communicators can match. She also served as Communications Director at the Democratic National Committee and is a veteran of multiple high-profile campaigns, bringing strategic clarity, cultural fluency, and deep media credibility to every engagement.

Founding Partner

Josh Schwerin

Josh Schwerin is one of the most experienced political and crisis communications professionals in the country. He served as National Spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, Senior Strategist and Communications Director at Priorities USA, and National Press Secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Over the last two decades, he has counseled organizations and executives through some of the most consequential communications challenges in American political life — with a track record built on knowing when to go on offense, when to hold the line, and how to turn pressure into advantage.

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Ready when you need us

Whether you’re navigating an immediate challenge, preparing for what’s on the horizon, or looking for a long-term strategic communications partner — we’re here.