Most brands understand the importance of social listening. They are wisely monitoring social media conversation for mentions of their brand, tapping into the latest buzz about their competitors, and making listening a critical component of crisis…
“The greater part of the world’s troubles are due to questions of grammar.” ― Michel de Montaigne, The Complete Essays, March 1580 “Good grammar is essential to good writing.” ― Carol Cookerly, in a staff email,…
I find it amazing that U.S. companies will spend billions of dollars every year to build and support their brands, yet often fail to protect their creative assets. Logos, word marks, tag lines, certain color combinations…
I recently counseled an executive who called because she feared negative media coverage for her organization after an employee was arrested at the workplace for sickening behavior on the internet. Although the alleged crime was committed…
With a bunch of friends and family recently joining the ranks of new college grads, I suddenly found myself in the role of the older and arguably wiser adviser this week; apparently being out of college…
Even in high school, it was hard to be cool if you were trying to “buy” cool. Authenticity was a primary component of what separated cool from the “me too crowd.” Just as many a high…
Paid time off (PTO) can take many forms. Up until recently, my go-to getaway was the cruise, a floating barge of relaxation with a potpourri of international ports to explore. But a recent invitation by business…
I’m a what; a brand?! I’m not talking about your company’s brand, but your own personal brand or image. Thinking of yourself as a brand empowers you to think bigger – to create a larger-than-life you…
Working with our partner Moroch, one of the most successful advertising, branding and marketing agencies in the country, Cookerly was tapped to drive engagement for three McDonald’s “Taste Kitchens” in Atlanta. The kitchens offered a broad…
While most companies utilize crisis communications plans to inform customers, employees, media and others, many do not include a digital component to help preserve their reputation with target audiences. The purpose of a digital crisis communications…
Cookerly helps steer major corporate and executive initiatives for the nation’s #1 luxury automaker including recent award-winning programs such as “Greatness Lives Here” and “No Limits,” initiatives designed to empower the next generation through community activism and education. We recently helped launch the Mercedes-Benz A-Class vehicle line including MBUX artificial intelligence including tie-ins with the Super Bowl, Ludacris and the Ron Clark Academy. Leveraging paid, earned, shared and owned media, the Cookerly team supports MBUSA across both external and internal channels.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Matt helps organizations protect and advance their reputations and bottom lines through strategic communications programs. Using creativity, planning and flawless execution, he works with a team to deliver compelling public relations campaigns that produce results and support clients’ business objectives.
Industry expertise includes banking/finance, energy and automotive across clients such as SunTrust Banks, Colonial Pipeline and Mercedes-Benz USA. Recently, Matt helped launch SunTrust’s first Super Bowl ad and generate earned media for the grand opening of SunTrust Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves.
Matt is also a member of Cookerly’s crisis response team and has experience managing major crises generating national headlines.
Other areas of expertise include designing/implementing communications campaigns, media relations, executive speech writing, media training, survey design and execution, and more.
A Georgia State University graduate with a degree in economics, Matt served as managing editor of the student newspaper. He attended graduate school at George Washington University, receiving a master’s degree in strategic management, public policy and economics (MPA).
As senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman specializes in building and maintaining relationships with the media and has an excellent track record of landing significant placements in print and broadcast media including USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Money Magazine.
Mike comes to the firm with more than a decade of public relations and journalism experience. As a former news editor, Mike understands how to work with his clients to craft stories that garner recognition on traditional and social media channels. He has led numerous award winning campaigns for a number of clients, including Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Construction Market Data Group and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Georgia campaign. Favorite recent assignments include a campaign to announce McDelivery, McDonald’s new delivery service.
Mike is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a graduate of the University of Georgia where he earned a degree in speech communications. He serves on the PRSA Georgia Chapter Programming Committee and is an avid sports fan and trail runner. He resides in Marietta with his wife and two children.
As vice president of Cookerly, Sheryl Sellaway uses her extensive corporate communications background to lead consumer PR efforts, deliver strategy for marketing programs and share expertise about community initiatives.
An award-winning speechwriter, Sheryl comes to the firm with over 20 years’ expertise in media relations, employee communications and community affairs. Some of her best work has occurred while leading product launches, handling crisis situations, managing senior leadership meetings and overseeing employee events.
Sheryl is a Georgia native with an MBA from Amber University and a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. Active in the community, she is a Leadership Atlanta graduate currently serving on several boards including Bethany Christian Services. Sheryl is an author, pen collector, avid runner, mentor and philanthropist.
NAPA AUTO PARTS, the nation’s top brand in the automotive aftermarket, is ramping up its retail operation across the country with grand reopening celebrations to show off its transformed “top stores,” expanded inventory and “NAPA Know How.” Cookerly designed a creative program that has successfully sparked conversations across media and social media channels in the target markets, enhanced community relationships, built awareness/visibility, increased customer traffic at store events and helped boost NAPA sales and follow-on business.
The Arthritis Foundation has undergone significant changes and seeks to build upon a renewed direction with fresh perspectives. The foundation relies on Cookerly to infuse new ideas, raise national awareness and engage internal stakeholders to support the organization’s new and powerful “Champion of Yes” branding. The comprehensive communications strategies and tactics conceived and implemented for the foundation put a national focus on the critical nature of arthritis and are helping reinvigorate the organization’s image of one committed to conquering the insidious and debilitating disease.