Obama picks Biden aide as senior adviser

President Obama has picked Shailagh Murray, a top aide to Vice President Biden, to serve as his new senior adviser, the White House said Tuesday. 

Jason Goldman, a veteran of Google, Twitter and Medium, has been tapped to serve as the White House’s first chief digital officer. 

{mosads}Murray will replace Dan Pfeiffer, a member of Obama’s inner circle who left the White House earlier this month. She worked at The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal before joining Biden’s office in 2011, where she serves as deputy chief of staff and communications director. 

A senior White House official said Murray would advise Obama on a wide range of policies and help lead special projects. 

“For four years, I’ve relied on Shailagh Murray’s strategic advice and keen ability to cut through the Washington noise to focus on what matters to everyday Americans, and I’m proud to have her as a senior adviser,” Obama said in a statement. “She’s been an invaluable asset to Vice President Biden, but fortunately for him — and the country — she’ll still be down the hall.”

The moves reflect the White House’s desire to keep Obama’s initiatives in the public eye as his presidency winds down. 

Goldman will be responsible for beefing up the White House’s presence on digital media platforms. He will be tasked with expanding the White House’s Office of Digital Strategy and promoting the White House’s message online. 

“Jason Goldman brings new energy and coveted expertise as someone who’s helped shape the digital age,” Obama said. “Our mission is to use every single tool available to ensure that all Americans can contribute to and benefit from our American resurgence.”

Obama has recently done a round of interviews on non-traditional forums, such as YouTube, BuzzFeed and Vice. Pfeiffer played a major role in pushing those efforts. 

Goldman served as director of the board for the digital publishing platform Medium before joining the White House. He was the first head of product at Twitter. 

He was first introduced to Obama and his staff while working on a two-week project on public engagement efforts, according to the White House.

The staff moves were first reported by Politico.