Armstrong Strategic Insights Group, LLC, (ASIG) is virtual consultancy focused on the structures and processes that impact public diplomacy and strategic communication in today's modern "Now Media" environment created by the convergence of "new media" and "old media." ASIG specializes in understanding and explaining the gaps of practice, interagency operations, legislation, authorities, and appropriations that affect global engagement. 

that brings to bear an extensive and deep network of consultants and practitioners to work for you, bringing the right knowledge at the right time.

Resources vary by project requirements. The constant is the energy behind ASIG, LLC:

Julie S. Kim, Principal, Operations

Julie S. Kim is principal and co-founder of Armstrong Strategic Insights Group. Julie has seven years of management consulting experience and eight years of marketing experience at a regional and global level. She has worked in many different countries and has managed projects that interface with both US and foreign government agencies. Julie received her BA in Economics from Dartmouth College and her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Matt Armstrong, Principal, Strategy

Matthew C. Armstrong is principal and co-founder of Armstrong Strategic Insights Group and publisher of the influential blog www.MountainRunner.us. MountainRunner.us is a leading blog on the practice and structure of public diplomacy, strategic communication, public affairs, or whatever your organization calls global engagement. The blog is read by senior government officials, practitioners, trainers, academics, and analysts from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, Congress, related institutions, think tanks, and government agencies around the globe.

Mr. Armstrong is a strategist addressing the landscape of American public diplomacy and strategic communication. At his blog www.MountainRunner.us and in books, journals, and articles he writes on issues related to global engagement by the United States Government in today's "now media" information environment.

Mr. Armstrong has authored book chapters, magazine articles, and journal articles on public diplomacy and strategic communication and related subjects ranging from the impact of "Now Media" to outsourcing engagement and violence to robots and contractors (including peacekeepers). He has presented at the U.S. Army War College, the National Defense University, the NATO School (Oberammergau, Germany), NATO's Center of Excellence Department Against Terrorism (Ankara, Turkey), the Foreign Service Institute, and at other events sponsored by the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security. He recently organized and chaired the successful 2009 Smith-Mundt Symposium, a first of its kind discussion that brought together the full spectrum of parties interested in public diplomacy, strategic communication and global engagement.

Mr. Armstrong obtained both his B.A. in International Relations and his Master of Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California (USC). He has also done work at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the areas of U.S. Intelligence, Contemporary European Security, and the Middle East. Prior to focusing on public diplomacy, he spent a decade as a technologist designing and implementing knowledge management systems.

Mr. Armstrong is a principal with Armstrong Strategic Insights Group, LLC, adjunct staff with RAND, a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a fellow with Proteus USA, a member of the Senior Information Operations Advisory Council, a member of the National Press Club, a Senior Advisor to Business for Diplomatic Action, and a proud member of The Public Diplomacy Council.

Christopher Dufour, Senior Advisor

"Du4" serves as a senior advisor for ASIG as a national security, communication, and creativity consultant. He is the writer and publisher of http://mustbeawesome.com, a blog exploring questions and conversations about what constitutes "awesome" across many disciplines, businesses, and organizations. In these conversations, he conducts investigations through personal relationships with clients, friends, organizations, and other socially interactive entities. This approach enables him to dynamically integrate a number of initiatives on behalf of all the people who choose to engage with him in these conversations.

Du4 has served as a Defense Department contractor, an IED task force operations officer and technical advisor, an irregular warfare program manager (specializing in influence and communication based programs), and a senior advisor to a number of social networking research projects for both government and private entities. He has completed masters work at the John Hopkins University with a thesis about reforming the U.S. government national security apparatus to best address the challenges of the 21st century.

Du4's professional associations include membership with the Association of Old Crows, the World Futurist Society, Sister Cities International, the Texas State Society, and as an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. He also rocks your socks off as the lead vocalist and front man for Tenacious D and Flight of the Conchords comedy rock tribute band TWO KINGS.

You can connect with Du4 on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Du4) or LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdu4). He's looking forward to hearing from you.