Public Relations 5 - Cotter The Creative

dylantcotter777 In Credibility, Marketing, Public Relations, Thought Leadership

11 Thought Leadership Press Quotes From Transgender Activist, Author, and Publicist Dylan Thomas Cotter

I said what I said.

On Transgender Healthcare

As seen in Rolling Stone:

People like Dylan Thomas Cotter — a publicist, author, and transgender rights activist — know what it’s like to grow up without gender-affirming care. For him, getting top surgery was a 14-year process. “Had I had access to the advanced gender-affirming care that now exists for transgender children, I would not have suffered so much in my life socially, physically, and mentally,” he tells Rolling Stone. “This is why transgender adults advocate so strongly for transgender children — because we know that they can and should have a better life experience than we have had.”

Read full article: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/trans-youth-hhs-report-conversion-therapy-1235332473/

As seen on NursingColleges.com

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a publicist, activist, author, and trans man who advocates for GAC access: “I was six years old the first time I tried to kill myself. I wasn’t able to transition until much later in life, and I can honestly say the care I received from the team of women at the LGBT Center in LAand all the organizations that made it possible, especially Queercare, saved my life.”

Regarding the politicization of his very existence, Cotter says, “My identity as a trans person has been politicized into a slur, so when nurses hear corresponding words like ‘cisgender,’ they may interpret it as a slur. I’ve had an exceptional situation where my healthcare providers have honored their oaths, but a lot of healthcare workers have been conditioned by the media to view us as a punchline.”

He goes on to say, “Trans people aren’t asking for special treatment. We just want to be able to access healthcare and experience the same respect and kindness that all patients deserve.”

“There are going to be days when you, as a nurse, treat a trans patient and you will be the only person who has treated that person with kindness or respect all day, or all week, or all month. We look forward to our healthcare appointments because that is supposed to be one of our only safe spaces in society,” Cotter says.

Read full article: https://www.nursingcolleges.com/blog/attacks-on-trans-healthcare

On Queer Representation in Media

As seen in Rolling Stone:

“Does it feel superauthentic to me as a queer, trans person? Not really,” says trans model and adult entertainer Dylan Thomas. “But it does follow a pattern as defined by Hollywood… I believe representation in the beginning, as portrayed through the lens of non-members of a community, often misses the mark, while the intention for visibility is good.” He compares Che to Max, a much-hated trans male character in the original The L Word, who was criticized by many members of the community for perpetuating harmful stereotypes until, 20 years later, giving way to a much more developed trans male character on the L Word reboot.

“I appreciate seeing a nonbinary character written with strength and confidence in mind rather than the played-out victim-type queer role we often see,” Thomas says. “Sara Ramirez plays this particular role with such charisma and that is maybe one of the best things I can see in this character — that Che is meant to not play small, so that they can help project an image of queer power that we do not often see in Hollywood.”

Read full article: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/che-diaz-just-like-that-1287117/

On Government Oppression and Transgender Rights

As seen in TruthOut:

In a statement sent directly to Truthout, Dylan Thomas Cotter, a transgender activist and author, decried the messaging as being “absolutely wild” and a “meritless accusation to make against an entire community.”

“It is my hope that the general public has begun to see through the nonsense and assess the facts as it relates to my beautiful community. … This administration and all that champion of it should be ashamed,” Cotter said.

Read full article: https://truthout.org/articles/usda-website-uses-transphobic-messaging-to-blame-dems-for-government-shutdown/

Advocating for Women

As seen in The Irish Star US:

With Trump being slammed for his comments, PR expert Dylan Thomas Cotter has suggested he should undergo mental competency testing. Speaking exclusively to The Irish Star, the expert said, “The personal attacks waged by the president upon Collins while expertly conducting her professional line of questioning is disgraceful and disturbing. It appears Trump has quite the level of insecurity that he himself apparently cannot contain when it comes to being rightfully questioned by female journalists on his ability to properly execute the functions of his role.

As for what should happen next, Cotter shared, “Until there has been an accurate mental competency investigation conducted regarding the president, many of the public will continue to question why this pattern of abusive language directed at female journalists ever happened even once and why it has continued.”

He warned, “This is not normal behavior, nor is it acceptable as Collins is one of the most talented journalists in the United States. Many of us respect her body of work and can see she’s continuing to do an excellent job.”

Read full article: https://techround.co.uk/artificial-intelligence/it-may-not-be-intentional-but-ai-bias-is-real-and-its-already-distorting-real-world-outcomes-experts-comment/

As seen in TechRound:

“Without laying the foundation for equality within developing and coding systems, this will negatively impact the quality of life for all. The ability to develop inclusive systems with non-discriminatory and/or non-stereotypical algorithms has always been a possibility; it seems, however, as if presently the AI industry has more of a misogynistic heteronormative agenda at play.

The uneducated and socially unaware masses may become distracted by technological advances; however, those of us who are socially aware have been sounding the alarms. The reality is that some people will code anything for a check, and that’s the tech industry’s problem right there, promoting capitalism over diversity, equity, and inclusion.

For individuals seeking much more in-depth research on the AI industry and this particular matter, I would suggest reviewing the DAIR Institute’s work and the backstory of why this particular organization was formed by a team of engineers, activists, and academic scholars, along with its mission in the Artificial Intelligence space.”

Read full article: https://techround.co.uk/artificial-intelligence/it-may-not-be-intentional-but-ai-bias-is-real-and-its-already-distorting-real-world-outcomes-experts-comment/

On Performance Reviews

As seen in The Irish Star US:

Cotter addressed Trump’s comments as he told The Irish Star, “I view public admonishments by employers disseminated throughout the global media as an indication that anyone critiqued in this manner would be at risk of being relieved of their professional duties. It’s a very damaging look for all involved.”

The expert continued, “Considering the organizational lack of cohesive messaging released directly to the public relating to an employee’s job performance, I do not see unified communications, stakeholder management or crisis communications as strong suits that have been fully comprehended here which are essential functions of the role.”

It’s safe to say Trump’s comments didn’t sit well with Cotter. “In terms of shaping public perception, managing reputation, strengthening media relations, and disseminating factual information to the public, I’m not impressed,” he told us.

The publicist concluded by looking at what’s next for Leavitt, sharing, “In terms of a political future, if we look at the court of public opinion, public trust has declined following numerous US press conferences, that would not be considered a ‘win’ in the PR world but a massive loss that is beyond quantifiable and yet highly negative in qualitative metrics.”

Cotter’s comments come after Trump told reporters, “A person that gets 97% of bad… maybe Karoline’s doing a poor job, I don’t know,” before directly telling her, “You’re doing a terrible job.”

Read full article: https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/karoline-leavitt-pam-bondi-trump-36963759

On Festival Planning

As seen in The Irish Star US:

A number of performers have pulled out of the festival, claiming they were misled about the nature of the event. With Kid Rock left off the lineup completely, PR expert Dylan Thomas Cotter has suggested it could be due to the struggles his own tour has faced. This comes after Kid Rock’s true roots were recently exposed.

Kid Rock’s Rock The Country festival struggled to sell tickets, with the 55-year-old even slashing prices. Dylan told The Irish Star, “If the festival planners are concerned with presenting a highly entertaining event, they’d want to include acts that perform well.

“That said, it’s an interesting exclusion considering Rock’s long-standing affiliation with the present administration; however, it is plausible that this particular event inclusion omission would make sense if, in fact, it were based on recent poorly performing ticket sales.”

The PR expert suggested poor ticket sales “would be a good risk assessment at that point to consider omitting the act from performing as there would be a concern on if they would draw in an actual crowd of paying spectators or not.”

Read full article: https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/kid-rock-donald-trump-festival-37225549

On Entertainment Ticket Sales

As seen in The Irish Star US:

Publicist Dylan Thomas Cotter agreed as he told The Irish Star, “When the general public witnesses a music festival cutting ticket prices in half, it usually signals something is amiss in terms of sales and overall demand.”

Read full article: https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/karoline-leavitt-pam-bondi-trump-36963759

On Event Communications

As seen in The Irish Star US:

With multiple artists now having dropped out of the Freedom 250 event, PR expert Dylan Thomas Cotter warned it doesn’t look good for organizers.

Speaking exclusively to The Irish Star, the PR expert said, “It showcases a significant lack of cohesive event planning and internal communication when an entertainer has to publicly announce that they were in fact incorrectly announced as an event participant. The festival organizers appear to lack the operational capacity needed to manage festival communications effectively.”

Read full article: https://www.irishstar.com/culture/entertainment/donald-trump-maga-festival-cancellations-37220361

On Expert Entertainers

As seen in the Express US:

Industry authority Dylan Thomas Cotter has now offered perspective on why Colbert may have chosen to deny the commander-in-chief any screen time during his closing moments hosting the program that David Letterman launched in 1993. Dylan noted, “There can be a few things at play here. It comes after a former Trump staffer revealed his 4 chilling predictions for what the president will do next.

As a nation, the public has clocked Trump’s pattern of emotional retaliatory outbursts and actions following the slightest of critiques from both the entertainment world and the general public at large, so it is plausible that Colbert could have had that in mind as one reason.

“It is far more plausible to assume that Colbert, the expert entertainer that he is, wanted to go out on a celebratory high note and perhaps avoid and/or minimize any legal ramifications from the network, and/or also halt the opportunity for Trump to create further reactive media headlines.”

He then offered another convincing explanation for why Colbert may have chosen to disregard President Trump’s existence entirely. He said, “It could also be as simple as Colbert has already accomplished that work. For many years, Stephen Colbert and his entire staff at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert have consistently entertained audiences by spectacularly holding Trump’s feet to the fire,” reports the Express US.

Dylan concluded, “Last night was not Trump’s moment; it was The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s. Many of us in the entertainment business admire Colbert for his talent and professionalism, as he rose to the occasion last evening.”

Read full article: https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/tv/stephen-colberts-decision-not-mention-1850938

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a strategist, public relations leader, and brand communications executive with more than fifteen years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology.

Cotter is known for securing numerous Tier 1 (top-tier) and Tier 2 media placements across key markets including but not limited to GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride, Inked Magazine, Real Simple, VICE, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Parade Magazine, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health Magazine, NursingColleges.com, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, MIC, The Manual, Curl Magazine, International Business Times UK, TechRound, GB News, The Irish Star US, The Mirror, MSN and AOL.

Cotter is an advisor to founders, artists, and executives on brand positioning, reputation, corporate social responsibility, and strategic communications. As an openly gay transgender professional, Dylan Thomas Cotter is committed to fostering inclusive, respectful, and affirming work environments.

His latest book, THINK LIKE A TRANSGENDER THOUGHT LEADER, is out now, and his memoir, TRANSGENDER & TRIGGERING THE LIFE OF DYLAN THOMAS COTTER, is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup, and Skylight Books, amongst other fine retailers, and is distributed worldwide through IngramSpark.

dylantcotter777 In Credibility, Public Relations

4 Ways to Spot a PR Relationship

In the world of entertainment, sometimes things and people are not all as they seem.

I’m gonna talk about something that far fewer will in public relations: public figures who partner up for cross-visibility and promotion by projecting an image of being in a romantic couple when they in fact are in a PR couple.

Again, this is an ethics point for me; I wouldn’t advise people to falsify a relationship because I don’t represent those who don’t remain true to their authentic selves.

That said, when I see a PR couple appear in the press, these are a few indicators that jump out to me:

The level of communication energy expelled into the “hard launch”: if there’s an image released anywhere- the press, social media, etc. that is partnered with a lengthy caption, it’s a red flag to me. That is because when lengthy language appears from whoever is publicly disclosing the two parties in question, it is, if sincere, short, sweet, and effortlessly to the point. Love is an energy that can be authentically conveyed to the public in the smallest of gestures and words, so there’s no need to sell hard; any lengthy hard launch as opposed to a reserved soft launch in terms of messaging communicates that there may in fact be something here to question the validity of.
Timing. It’s important to consider the timing of the release to the general public that a “new couple” has emerged. Think about it: if someone who just exited a relationship one week hard launches another one the next week, there’s room there to be suspect of how all things came to be or not to be, as that will be the question of discerning minds.
An increased frequency of public displays of affection early on in the “new relationship” in terms of everyday life and social media posts. If in PR, as in marketing, we are looking to really sell an image of something, consistent repetition and messaging is key to reinforcing the existence of what a publicist is trying to get you to believe.
A noticeably large increase in media placements speaking on both parties as a “new couple”. Now, let’s talk celebrity: if a known celebrity is going to be referenced in an article, a professional journalist is going to have to vet the authenticity of facts, and that’s only going to be breaking news for so long. To really extend the visibility of the “new couple,” entertainment publicists will want to coordinate coverage, and the easiest way to do so is to work with both teams to get on the same page. Considering the regular amount of press public figures get, if you notice for a string of days, weeks, or months much more of an uptick in a public figure’s press presence who has been stagnant within their career, chances are they could have agreed to enter a PR relationship to help keep their image fresh in the media by the ongoing association with another public figure.

That is why I detest certain aspects of PR, because some people will lie about anything. I’m someone who has zero tolerance for bullshit.

I am a publicist with ethics and integrity, which means I would never represent clients who would deliberately misrepresent themselves, personally or professionally.

Other Reasons Public Figures May Enter Into PR Relationships

Unfortunately, this world can be homophobic and transphobic. That can be rather scary for someone who feels their entire career hinges on public perception and who may also be in the closet. In this instance, I understand, but I’d never take on a client in the closet to begin with.

That may sound harsh, but self-love and acceptance are my personal brand. For that reason, I wouldn’t work to conceal someone’s sexuality because that would go against everything I am about as a proud and vocal gay transgender man and activist. But don’t fret, closeted gays and eggs; there’s always gonna be someone in Hollywood you can pay to shield what you find shame in; however, there’s no shame in my game.

So while I have compassion for those who may be in the closet and that is why they enter into hetero-framed public PR relationships, I do not respect or support it.

Coming out isn’t easy, but it’s worth it not just to the individual but also, collectively, to every other person who shares a queer identity in this country and especially during this time in history. When public figures come out simply by living their lives authentically and inclusive of their true sexualities, actual partners, and gender identities, it’s substantially way healthier for the public to see that.

In fact, it positively impacts public perception more than not by showcasing the confidence of queer love in entertainment.

On a personal note, I would encourage you to reconsider doing business with any publicist who would ever encourage you as their client to falsify a relationship during a career lull to keep you in some form of media and public view, as I find that unethical.

Think about it: what “new couples” right now are the entertainment media attempting to shove down your throat, and why is that?

ABOUT DYLAN THOMAS COTTER:

Rebel with a cause, driven by authenticity, self-expression, and liberation for all.

dylantcotter777 In Public Relations

What I Look for in PR Clients

My name is Dylan Thomas Cotter. I’m a proud gay trans man, and I’m also a publicist. Over the years, people have asked me what I look for when deciding whether to take on a PR client. The answer is layered, but it always starts with communication and values.

First things first: communication is non-negotiable. If you’re going to be represented by a publicist, we’re going to spend a lot of time going back and forth. Are you a good communicator? Are you a timely communicator? Do you honor your commitments and keep your word? Those things matter. A lot.

Next comes finances. Can you actually afford a publicist—for real? A strong relationship with the public, and with your publicist, requires honesty and transparency. If I’m putting in my time, hard work, and energy, I expect to be compensated fairly. That’s not negotiable.

Not every publicist bills the same way, and that’s a conversation we’ll have if and when it becomes relevant. But if you’re thinking about working with someone like me, start saving now. We’re worth the compensation.

Another major factor is conflict of interest. If I’m working with you, could there be a conflict with other clients I represent? Or a conflict with my own brand and values? That’s always something I take into account.

For me personally, social awareness, diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential. Let me give you an example. I once did a small discovery test project with someone I was considering working with long-term. During that process, I got to know their personality better—and I didn’t like what I saw. When the contract ended, so did my availability.

I often compare publicists to lawyers. There are ethical ones and non-ethical ones. I look at clients the same way. If you’re comfortable making jokes about different types of people in my presence, I’m not comfortable with that. Full stop. I will remove you from the possibility of ever working together again.

That’s not my brand. And everything a publicist does reflects not just your brand, but our brand too. If you’re going to bring outside drama that could affect my reputation, I’m not going to allow that. I don’t specialize in crisis PR, and I don’t want those kinds of clients. There are plenty of people who do that work—and they do it exceptionally well.

Let’s talk about finances again, because it’s important. Before you even set up meetings with a publicist, do your math. Know what you can realistically afford. That way, when money comes up in conversation, you’ll already know whether it’s feasible.

I love representing proactive people. I love clients who’ve been building their businesses for years and are thought leaders in their space. I also love working with people who are just starting out—but who are actively building, learning, and showing up for their brand.

When you hire a publicist, you don’t just hand everything over and disappear. You actually have to work more. You play a huge role in your own success, and that understanding is key for me when deciding to work with someone.

I also love representing businesses, especially pre-established ones. I always ask myself: Is this within my realm of interest? Is this something I’m excited about?

If you’re considering working with a publicist, look closely at the types of clients they usually represent. Some publicists stay in one very specific lane. Others—like me—thrive on diversity. We need it. It keeps our brains engaged and our strategies sharp.

So where do I focus most of my attention? Predominantly in entertainment, technology, fitness, fashion, and activism. I also work a bit in nonprofit, healthcare, and biopharmaceuticals, but my main lanes are entertainment, tech, fitness, and fashion. That’s my jam.

When someone is interested in being represented, one of the first questions I ask is: What is your definition of PR success? What are you hoping to gain? The answer tells me a lot about your goals and whether your expectations are realistic.

I’m also very clear about guarantees. The only guarantee a publicist can offer is effort. We cannot guarantee placements in publications. We’re not the journalists writing the stories, and that’s not how the media works. Journalists can’t even guarantee placements themselves.

What you’re paying for is your publicist’s time, expertise, strategy, and work. So instead of asking, “Can you guarantee coverage?” The better question is: What’s this publicist’s track record? Where have they successfully placed clients before? That gives you insight into how effective their pitching strategy really is.

For transparency, here are some of the outlets where I’ve secured placements:
GQ, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Pride.com, Inc. Magazine, Real Simple, Vice, KTLA, Reader’s Digest, Mashable, Yahoo News, Yahoo Life UK, Newsweek, Men’s Health, Betches, U.S. News & World Report, Women’s Health, Women.com, South China Morning Post, Truthout, The Manual, Curl Magazine, and GB News.

I’ve been busy.

That said, what I do for one client won’t look exactly the same for another. Every client has different products, services, back stories, and current events shaping their narrative. What matters most is the probability that when a publicist pitches, they get a conversion.

I have a high conversion rate because I pitch well—and more importantly, because I pitch strategically. That’s something you should always look for in a publicist.

Lastly, temperament matters. If you’re going to work with a publicist, make sure they speak to you with respect—because that’s exactly what we expect in return.

I hope this helps. Thanks for listening.

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About Rev. Dylan Thomas Cotter:

Dylan Thomas Cotter is a prominent gay transgender activist, PR expert, motivational speaker, and author known for his memoir Transgender & Triggering: The Life of Dylan Thomas Cotter, which details his journey through identity, transition, and resilience in Hollywood, appearing in major publications like Vice, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, Inked Magazine, and Truthout. He leverages his extensive background in marketing and brand strategy across tech, entertainment, and fashion to amplify diverse voices and champion authenticity and self-expression.

Connect via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lgbt/