Stephen Michael Brown, APR, Fellow PRSA

Stephen Michael Brown, APR, Fellow PRSA has extensive experience in the field of public relations and communications. Stephen Michael is currently the President of Cookerly PR, where they oversee the operations of an integrated communications and marketing firm. In this role, they work with national clients such as Mercedes-Benz USA, McDonald's USA, Cox Enterprises, and Georgia-Pacific. Prior to their role as President, Stephen served as the Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President at Cookerly PR, where they developed programs and managed initiatives to help organizations improve their reputations and stay ahead in the marketing communications landscape.

Before joining Cookerly PR, Stephen was the Managing Director in Atlanta for BCW Global, a global network of public relations and marketing professionals. During their time at BCW Global, they managed a team focused on corporate, consumer products, retail, technology, and healthcare clients.

Stephen's career also includes a role as Senior Vice President in the Consumer Practice at MSLGROUP, where they handled public relations campaigns, media relations, and social media for clients such as Best Buy, The Home Depot, and Coca-Cola. Stephen Michael managed the McDonald's Southeastern work and InterfaceFLOR global campaigns while overseeing a $5 million consumer practice.

Prior to MSLGROUP, Stephen served as the Director of Corporate Communications at Macquarium, Inc., where they spearheaded internal and external communications and developed crisis and issues protocols for corporate and customer teams. Stephen Michael also worked as the Director of Technology Influencer Relations at Ketchum/Crescent, where they facilitated media relations for telecom, IT, manufacturing, and supply chain clients.

Stephen began their career as an Assistant Account Executive at Bounce, an advertising and public relations agency. In this role, they served Fortune 500 clients such as South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Sands Resorts, and BI-LO Supermarkets.

Throughout their career, Stephen has demonstrated a strong ability to lead teams, develop innovative programs, and effectively manage client relationships. Stephen Michael is a member of the Georgia chapter of PRConsultants Group and holds the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation and the Fellow PRSA designation.

Stephen Michael Brown, APR, Fellow PRSA earned their Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a cognate in Business from the University of South Carolina. Stephen Michael attended the university from 1991 to 1995 and specialized in Advertising & Public Relations, Mass Communications, and was a member of the South Carolina Honors College.