40 Under Forty

January 31. 2012 3:17PM

Starting his own agency was best decision David Donohue ever made

By CORY FRANCER
Union Leader Correspondent

David Donohue

David Donohue, 39

Home: Hooksett
Birthplace: Malden, Mass.
Family: Wife, Christina; children, James, 9, and Madeline, 7. Dolly is our dog. Parents, Bruce and Patricia Donohue; sister, Jennifer Donohue
High school: Manchester Memorial High School
College/post grad degrees: B.A., telecommunications, Ball State University
Current job: Principal, dtwo communications. Also recently named the director of public policy and communications of LifeShare
Key past positions held: SVP Public Relations at Griffin York & Krause; assignment manager and freelance reporter at WMUR-TV
Volunteer activities: Board member, Families in Transition; marketing committee, Families in Transition; 2012 Co-co-co-chair of FIT's Cinco-de-Mayo Celebration; member of team that helped organized the inaugural FLICKERS North Country Film Festival.
Most admired person (outside your family): Major Dick Winters, best known from the “Band of Brothers” book and mini-series. His book/personal war memoirs are inspiring but his “Leadership at the Point of the Bayonet – Ten Principles for Success” are words to live by. When a man like him says “this is what you need to do to be a good leader,” that's much more valuable than any “leadership” trainer.
Key current professional challenge: The economy and the changing nature of mass media. Both are in a constant state of flux and both are challenges AND opportunities.
Last major achievement: Starting my own business. I quit a very good job and took a big risk going out on my own. This year it will be three years that I've been out on my own, and it was the best decision I could have made. But I couldn't have done it without the support of my wife. She makes everything possible.
Also, taking on the role of director of public policy and communications at LifeShare. LifeShare's work is so important and I'm humbled that Josh Boynton has let me be a part of what he and his incredible team are doing in New Hampshire and across the country, supporting and empowering people with developmental disabilities. Health and health care are the No. 1 things affecting all people in my opinion and here in the state and across the country this year we will see MAJOR changes to the Medicaid system and if I can play a role to help LifeShare and the people we serve navigate these changes, then I am proud to be one small part of it all.
Biggest problem facing New Hampshire: A lack of will among some elected officials and the general population to take a major risk and try something new or be innovative. For example, I have a friend who lives down south in a state with a poor reputation for its educational system. His son is in a magnet school that is geared to his interests and helps him excel academically. In Manchester where I went to high school there has been talk of turning West High School into a magnet school. I think this is an idea that is long overdue. I think the Manchester schools are great…I'm a product of that system. BUT the model is outdated. My kids are on track to go to Manchester schools and things need to change at the high school level or I won't send my kids to school in Manchester. My children have diverse interests academically. They need schools that will help them excel in their areas of interest, not force them into an “everyone learns the same” model. New Hampshire has wonderfully talented, innovative and forward-thinking people and companies like DEKA right in Manchester, yet in the same town where Dean Kamen works and innovates, we have schools that are basically forcing kids to learn in an outdated way. To be clear, I think the educators in Manchester are doing a great job and I had wonderful teachers in Manchester, but they are hamstrung by the current system.
There's constant talk of attracting and retaining young and talented people. Manchester and New Hampshire are such wonderful places and have so much potential, yet we are mired in outdated thinking and are scared of trying something new because I believe people are afraid of failure, and it's that fear that stifles innovation and drives young people to find innovation outside of our state.
Favorite place in New Hampshire: Gilmanton. My parents have a place up there and it's where our family gets together to escape and be together.
What book are you reading now? “President Reagan – The Role of a Lifetime” by Lou Cannon. Diehards are fascinated by him, I was interested to get an as unbiased as possible account of him. I'm also reading “A Shelter is Not a Home…Or Is It?” as part of board education for FIT.
How do you relax? Spending time with my wife and kids. We like to kayak or simply spend family time together.
What websites do you visit most often? Unionleader.com (seriously, at least a few times a day). Mashable, Facebook, Twitter…I also love the iPad app “FlipBoard” which turns all of my favorite websites and social channels into a digital magazine.
Favorite TV show, radio station or musical artist: “Modern Family” and “Big Bang Theory.” Since I'm nearing the old age of 40, it's mostly talk – NPR or Sports Radio. Favorite band is Van Halen.

HOOKSETT – As a journalist, David Donohue swore he would never switch over to the “dark side.” But, after nearly 10 years of working in television news, Donohue went into public relations. And in May, it will be three years since he began his own agency, a decision he says that is one of the best he's made.

As the principal of Dtwo Communications, Donohue said he helps his clients receive all the same services a traditional public relations agency would provide, but with a team assembled for the client's specific needs and with no unnecessary costs.

With a background in journalism, Donohue said he understands the need of getting work done efficiently and professionally. Instead of a standard team that works on all projects that come into Dtwo, Donohue said he tailors a group of people he knows in the industry to provide exactly what the customer wants.

“We're small and nimble enough that I can sit down with a client and say ‘What's your budget,'” Donohue said. “As long as it works for me and works for the client, that's fine.”

Though Donohue said it was a gamble to leave his previous job and start his own company, it has been an immensely successful venture. Because of his success and money it has brought to his family, Donohue said he always makes sure to take the time to give back to the community.

For about three years, Donohue said he has been involved with Families in Transition, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide aid to New Hampshire's homeless population. Donohue said because he was a member of so many business-related boards, joining Families in Transition has provided him with an outlet to benefit the community.

“My family has been blessed and FIT helps homeless people get back on their feet,” he said. “It's one board that I felt was for a social good.”

In addition to his work with Families in Transition, Donohue has also joined LifeShare, a Manchester-based company that works with people with developmental disabilities and at-risk youth.

Throughout Donohue's recent career changes, he said his wife, Christina, has been immensely supportive. He said she never objected to him leaving his previous job to start his own business and because of that, has been able to reach the point of success that he is at today.

“I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without her,” Donohue said. “She makes everything possible.”