DYLAN THOMAS COTTER

PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE | MEDIA RELATIONS | BRAND STRATEGY | MARKETING LEADERSHIP

Los Angeles, California
Website: https://cotterthecreative.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lgbt

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Strategic communications and public relations executive with 15+ years of experience building brands, shaping public narratives, generating earned media, developing strategic partnerships, and advising founders, executives, artists, and public figures. Combines deep expertise in media relations, integrated marketing, brand positioning, reputation management, business development, and organizational transformation with a sophisticated understanding of cultural trends, audience behavior, and the evolving media landscape.

Demonstrated ability to secure national and international media coverage across 192+ publications and media outlets, generate more than 89 million impressions for an entertainment technology launch, and develop partnerships spanning global brands, media, tourism, technology, lifestyle, and nonprofit organizations. Experienced in translating complex business objectives into compelling narratives, integrated communications strategies, and brand-building initiatives that strengthen visibility, credibility, audience engagement, and market positioning.

Trusted advisor to leadership on communications strategy, digital risk assessment, organizational change, corporate social responsibility, and reputation management. Brings an entrepreneurial, multidisciplinary approach to executive leadership, with a distinctive perspective on authentic storytelling, cultural intelligence, and responsible brand communications.

CORE EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES

  • Executive Communications & Leadership: Strategic advisory, executive positioning, leadership communications, stakeholder engagement, organizational change, business development.
  • Public Relations & Media Relations: Earned media strategy, national and international press outreach, journalist engagement, media pitching, spokesperson positioning, editorial storytelling, broadcast relations.
  • Marketing & Brand Strategy: Integrated marketing, brand development, audience insights, market positioning, campaign strategy, digital marketing, social media strategy, influencer partnerships.
  • Reputation & Risk Management: Reputation strategy, crisis communications, digital risk assessments, online intelligence, brand protection, narrative management, communications planning.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Partnership development, brand collaborations, cross-sector relationship building, sponsorship opportunities, nonprofit and community partnerships.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR strategy, community engagement, inclusive communications, civic engagement, environmental advocacy, LGBTQIA+ initiatives.
  • Thought Leadership & Content: Executive thought leadership, ghostwriting, editorial strategy, public commentary, publishing, content development, media literacy.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STRATEGIC ADVISOR & PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT

Independent Consulting Practice | Los Angeles, California
March 2023–Present

Advise founders, brands, executives, artists, and public figures across entertainment, media, technology, beauty, and lifestyle on strategic communications, brand growth, earned media, reputation management, and cultural positioning.

  • Develop strategic communications frameworks and brand narratives that align organizational objectives with audience interests, market dynamics, cultural developments, and media opportunities.
  • Design integrated public relations and marketing strategies to increase brand visibility, strengthen positioning, and create opportunities for sustained audience engagement.
  • Secure earned media opportunities across national, international, regional, digital, print, television, and radio outlets.
  • Advise leadership on executive positioning, brand reputation, communications planning, corporate social responsibility, and authentic community engagement.
  • Conduct digital forensic and organizational assessments to identify digital risk exposure, operational blind spots, and vulnerabilities affecting brand credibility and business performance.
  • Recommend communications, brand management, and reputation strategies that support organizational transformation and changing business priorities.
  • Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships across technology, media, lifestyle, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors.
  • Provide specialized communications guidance to creative professionals and emerging public voices seeking stronger professional positioning, media readiness, and brand development.
  • Apply cultural intelligence and audience research to identify relevant story angles, partnership opportunities, and differentiated positioning in competitive media environments.

FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Cotter The Creative | Marketing & Public Relations Consultancy
2014–2022

Founded and led a multidisciplinary marketing and public relations consultancy delivering brand strategy, earned media campaigns, creative communications, and integrated marketing initiatives for clients across entertainment, fashion, technology, tourism, health, and nonprofit sectors.

  • Developed and executed integrated communications and marketing strategies incorporating media relations, social media, influencer partnerships, creative campaigns, and culturally relevant storytelling.
  • Generated more than 89 million impressions for entertainment news media tech app ‘The Motion Picture Studio’ launch press release through strategic earned media.
  • Obtained Number One Ranking Position on Google News:
  • Search term: “Motion Picture Industry”
  • Date: Jan. 31st, 2026
  • Link:https://www.newswire.com/news/the-motion-picture-studio-releases-free-film-industry-news-app-7315995 
  • Secured national and international media coverage for clients and professional initiatives across major publications, broadcast outlets, and digital media platforms.
  • Built strategic partnerships with global brands and organizations, including Apple, Levi’s, SCRUFF, MedMen, the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, HeadCount, Friends of the Los Angeles River, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Trans* Lounge Program.
  • Notable short-term social media legacy account sub-contracts included: Johnny Ramone, Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Grace Slick, Henry Mancini, and Peter Tosh.
  • Developed brand positioning and messaging strategies designed to differentiate clients, clarify their value propositions, and strengthen public recognition.
  • Connected communications strategy with cultural trends, audience behavior, and emerging media opportunities to support campaign relevance and visibility.
  • Directed corporate social responsibility and community engagement initiatives focused on civic participation, environmental advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ community support.
  • Integrated brand storytelling, public relations, and partnership development to help clients establish meaningful relationships with audiences and stakeholders.
  • Provided strategic counsel on creative direction, brand communications, media opportunities, and campaign development.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

ShowBizCentral, Inc. | Entertainment SaaS Tech Company
2014–2016

  • Orchestrated community and marketing initiatives for a trailblazing SaaS start-up within the entertainment arena, driving operational excellence and strategic growth.
  • Increased Twitter following from 252 to 42,101 within 1.5 years through strategic targeting, content creation, earned media without the implementation of paid advertising.

CREATIVE STRATEGIST

Cinelease, Inc. – a Hertz Company | The World’s Leading Motion Picture Lighting & Grip Equipment Rental Provider
2013–2014

  • Helmed the convergence of marketing, design, and media planning for the world’s largest motion picture lighting and grip equipment rental provider. Managed creative marketing operations across eleven franchise locations.
  • Handpicked by Fortune 300 conglomerate to architect a compelling internal pitch deck for Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC), culminating in the acquisition of multi-million dollar financing and international expansion of Cinelease, Inc. in the UK.

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Mole-Richardson Company | Formerly North America’s Largest Motion Picture Lighting Equipment Manufacturer
2012–2013

  • Spearheaded holistic brand campaigns for North America’s premier motion picture lighting manufacturer, Mole-Richardson Company, and the global leader in studio expendables, Studio Depot.
  • Cultivated strategic alliances with key industry stakeholders ranging from rental organizations to film festivals, driving synergistic growth.
  • Pioneered brand enhancement strategies through innovation, collaborating with top-tier leadership to unveil targeted promotions based on deep market insights.
  • Served as the company spokesperson, gracing academic institutions and elite panels.
  • Championed digital asset stewardship and brand licensing.
  • Oversaw elite in-house print production studio operations.

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Entertainment Technology Launch — Earned Media & Campaign Strategy

National & International Media Relations

  • Established a broad media placement record spanning more than 192 publications and media outlets, including leading national, international, regional, broadcast, and digital platforms.
  • Secured coverage and visibility across outlets includingThe Associated Press, ABC News, Fortune, Rolling Stone, GQ, Playboy, VICE, KTLA, Yahoo News, Mashable, Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, Men’s Health, and U.S. News & World Report among numerous other Top-Tier 1 and Tier 2 news media publications.
  • Participated in an Associated Press interview on professional job-interview attire; the resulting story was subsequently published by more than 180 publications.
  • Case Study: Dylan Thomas Cotter X The Associated Press: https://canva.link/81qfyqc49k6a5pc 

Strategic Partnerships & Corporate Social Responsibility

  • Developed relationships with major brands, civic organizations, tourism stakeholders, technology companies, and nonprofit partners.
  • Supported initiatives connecting brand visibility with community engagement, environmental advocacy, civic participation, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Organizational Transformation & Reputation Strategy

  • Advised on and implemented a change management program for Hollywood Hair Guy® in the entertainment beauty industry encompassing: change management, staff performance reviews, digital forensics, public relations strategy, website positioning, brand messaging, and budget reallocation.
  • According to the client’s published testimonial, the engagement helped reduce unnecessary spending, increase brand awareness, and create a leaner, more profitable business.
  • Case Study: Hollywood Hair Guy® PR + Change Management   https://canva.link/6jt248k4ueycyq6

Media & Public Commentary

Published advocacy and commentary in outlets including Rolling Stone, Yahoo! News, The Advocate, Truthout, and Well Beings News among others addressing media representation, public health, human rights, healthcare, public policy, and the social impact of public narratives.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Former Co-Chair — LGBTQIA+ Advocates Committee
Silver Lake Neighborhood Council

  • Contributed to community advocacy and engagement through a neighborhood-level civic leadership role.

Former Volunteer Instructor & Course Creator
Los Angeles LGBT Center — Trans* Lounge Program

  • Created and delivered educational content on “Creating Economic Opportunities and Developing Your Personal Brand.”
  • Supported professional development, personal branding, and economic empowerment.

Former TGNCI Community PR Outreach Volunteer

  • Provided individual public relations consultations to members of the transgender, gender-nonconforming, and intersex community.

Former Volunteer — Models of Pride

  • Supported community programming and LGBTQIA+ engagement.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (Community Member)
  • Trans Journalists Association (Community Member)

EDUCATION

Associate of Science (A.S.), Cinematography and Film & Video Production
The Art Institute of California–Los Angeles

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT

  • Leading Diverse Teams & Organizations — University of Michigan
  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace — ESSEC Business School
  • Emotional and Social Intelligence — University of California, Davis
  • Anti-Racism I — University of Colorado Boulder
  • Play It Safe: Manage Security Risks — Google
  • Foundations of Cybersecurity — Google
  • AI & Law — Lund University
  • Introduction to AI — Google
  • Crisis Communications — IESE Business School
  • Introduction to Public Relations — Microsoft
  • Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market — HarvardX
  • Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content — The Wharton School

HONORS & RECOGNITION

Artist + Activist Grant Recipient — The Soze Foundation, 2020

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Entertainment | Media & Publishing | Technology | Fashion | Beauty | Lifestyle | Tourism | Health | Nonprofit & Advocacy

ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE

Executive brand positioning | Earned media strategy | Public narrative development | Media training and readiness | Corporate communications | Digital intelligence | Organizational assessments | Reputation management | Strategic alliances | CSR initiatives | Thought leadership | Creative direction | Personal branding | Audience engagement

SAMPLE WORKS

  • Earned Media Case Study: Dylan Thomas Cotter X The Associated Press

https://canva.link/81qfyqc49k6a5pc 

  • Client Case Study: Hollywood Hair Guy® PR + Change Management

https://canva.link/6jt248k4ueycyq6

TESTIMONIALS

  • Client and Volunteer Consultations

https://cotterthecreative.com/testimonials/

REFERENCES

  • Available upon request.