Uber announced that it has hired David Plouffe, former strategist for the White House and best known as the campaign manager for President Barack Obama's 2008 presidential run.
Uber made the hire to help the company in its political battle against the taxi industry of the United States.
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick made the announcement on a post in the company's official blog, stating that Plouffe will begin in late September as the company's senior vice president of policy and strategy.
In the blog post, Kalanick reiterated Uber's mission of providing reliable transportation services for everyone. Within four years, the company was able to reach 170 cities, providing its residents with safer means of moving around and generating jobs for local economy improvement
Kalanick continues by stating that Uber has been embroiled in controversy, with the Big Taxi cartel as its opponent, using years of political influence to damage the company's business.
"Our roots are technology, not politics, writing code and rolling out transportation systems. The result is that not enough people here in America and around the world know our story, our mission, and the positive impact we're having," Kalanick wrote, adding that the company will now begin to run a campaign for itself.
Kalanick believes that Plouffe is the man that will be able to lead the political campaign of a company that has multinational operations located in places such as Boston, London, Beijing and Lagos.
Plouffe then takes over the blog post, stating his excitement for working in Uber and his belief in the company and its vision.
"Uber has the chance to be a once in a decade if not a once in a generation company. Of course, that poses a threat to some, and I've watched as the taxi industry cartel has tried to stand in the way of technology and big change," wrote Plouffe.
Uber's hiring of Plouffe to help the company rally against the Big Taxi cartel comes as the company finds itself under another battle, but with fellow transportation company Lyft. Uber and Lyft have accused each other of unfair practices, with employees calling for rides from each other's services and then cancelling at the last minute.
Uber has previously been able to attract top names in the technology industry to work for it, including employees coming from Google, Facebook and Amazon. The company also has a former New York taxi commissioner under its wing, helping Uber with the development of its public policy.
