We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Michael Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen Michael, what do you attribute your success to?
The Cookerly Public Relations team is high energy, resourceful and connected. We approach assignments holistically to determine a full integrated communications mix of strategies across paid, earned, shared and owned dimensions. Plus, we experience successes day in, day out – including recently being awarded a coveted five-star rating on the list of 200 Best American PR Firms by Forbes Magazine. Ultimately, collaborating successfully with our clients means keeping a keen eye on target audiences and following a model of research, planning, implementation and evaluation to produce breakthrough campaigns.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Cookerly PR, based in Atlanta, is part of the Worldcom Public Relations Group and PRConsultants Group, extending our reach around the nation and globe. For nearly three decades, the agency has served national, regional and hyperlocal clients thanks to executive associates deeply rooted in technology, healthcare, financial services, sustainability, business to business services and a variety of associated verticals, plus digital and social expertise. We provide a well-honed process for superior earned media results, creative social media programs to spark word of mouth for brands, broad exposure to partnerships and speaking opportunities and stellar alignment with clients’ integrated marketing efforts. The firm is also sought out for issues and crisis communication and known for its high aptitude in solving complex business challenges. I’ve worked for several of the publicly traded and owned PR agencies over my tenure, and it’s refreshing to now be in a role at a private company where we can be agile and entrepreneurial. This flexibility allows us to nimbly assist growing and established organizations to generate business results and experience vibrant brands.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love being an unofficial tour guide for Greater Atlanta. I always show any out-of-town guests my beloved community at Trilith, where the live, create, play mentality is alive and well in the heart of the moviemaking industry. I’m a believer in all the ways to get around town, which likely means a MARTA ride and a trip to the BeltLine. I like the off-the-beaten-path treasures you can find in antique stores in Chamblee and culinary creations on Buford Highway or in West Midtown (I love The Optimist!). I love working in Buckhead too, home of some of my favorite steakhouses, art galleries and lots of burgeoning tech scenes. I also love taking people to movies or plays at The Plaza Theatre, The Springs Cinema & Taphouse, Actor’s Express, Aurora Theatre and many other wonderful venues. Center for Puppetry Arts, the Atlanta History Center and the Computer Museum of America in Roswell are some other favorites.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my ShoutOut to Carol Cookerly, one of the best in the business and peerless when it comes to managing crisis and issues engagements. She is the first call for so many of us in the industry when confronting complex organizational challenges. Plus, her commitment to the community including empowering the next generation and preserving natural resources is inspiring.

Website: www.cookerly.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookerly_pr/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cookerly-public-relations/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cookerlypr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookerlypr

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