Public Relations, Media Relations, Crisis Communications

Christopher Cosentino

917-***-**** **********@*****.***

SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS LEADER Strategic public relations and corporate communications executive with 20+ years of experience leading media relations, crisis and issues management, executive communications, and reputation strategy for Fortune 500 companies, financial services firms, trade associations, and growth-stage organizations. Proven ability to serve as senior spokesperson, advise C-suite leaders, manage high-risk situations, and deliver integrated programs that drive visibility, credibility, and stakeholder trust across B2B and regulated industries. CORE SKILLS

Public Relations Strategy • Senior Media Relations • Crisis Communications • Issues Management • Reputation Management • Executive Communications • Corporate Communications • Thought Leadership • Media Training • Earned Media • Financial Services PR • B2B Communications • Integrated Communications • Content Strategy • Digital PR • Social Media Strategy • Internal Communications • Change Communications • M&A Communications • Regulatory Communications • Stakeholder Engagement • Agency/Vendor Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CozComm Public Relations – New York, NY

Managing Director 2006 – Present

Founded and led a boutique public relations and corporate communications consultancy supporting senior leadership teams across financial services, real estate, technology, and professional services.

● Developed and executed senior-level public relations strategies, including earned media, executive visibility, thought leadership, and crisis communications programs.

● Served as a trusted advisor to CEOs and executive teams on media positioning, reputation management, and high-stakes communications.

● Led M&A and transaction communications, including merger messaging, internal communications, and media response for the Money Management Institute and other clients.

● Acted as primary spokesperson and media liaison for select clients across national, financial, and trade media.

● Designed and led digital PR and social media strategies, including podcasts, LinkedIn executive branding, and content calendars.

● Managed cross-functional teams and external vendors to deliver integrated communications programs aligned with business objectives.

River Public Relations – Irvington, NY

Senior Consultant 2022 – 2023

● Led earned media and executive communications programs for an international HR and benefits consulting firm.

● Served as Senior Media Relations Lead and Account Manager for a fixed-income investment management company.

● Secured national and top-tier trade media coverage for an international executive recruitment firm.

● Advised senior leaders on messaging, spokesperson readiness, and media engagement strategy. Campbell Lewis Communications – New York, NY

Senior Consultant 2006 – 2016

● Led public relations programs for data, analytics, and financial services clients, including CoreLogic and Ellie Mae.

● Built sustained media visibility for data reports, economists, and research-driven insights.

● Directed crisis and issues communications for mortgage, fintech, and software clients during the financial crisis and market downturns.

● Developed executive speaking programs, media strategies, and proactive reputation management initiatives.

● Served as senior crisis advisor across multiple agency accounts. Money Management Institute – Washington, D.C.

Director of Corporate Communications 2004 – 2006

● Led all public relations, media relations, and corporate communications for a national financial services trade association.

● Served as chief spokesperson, managing press inquiries and proactive media outreach.

● Increased member engagement and conference participation through integrated PR campaigns.

● Directed website redesign, trade advertising, analyst relations, and media outreach programs.

● Established formal media relations policies, PR governance, and spokesperson protocols. ICAP Plc (now TP ICAP) – New York, NY

Director, North American Corporate Communications 2001 – 2004

● Directed corporate communications and public relations for North American operations of a global financial services firm.

● Managed high-risk crisis communications, including regulatory investigations, litigation, and reputational issues.

● Led communications for the launch of an electronic bond trading platform, securing significant earned media coverage.

● Supported merger communications and regulatory review processes, including HSR filings.

● Partnered closely with legal, compliance, and government affairs teams. Lehman Brothers – New York, NY

Vice President, Corporate Communications 1996 – 2000

● Served as Vice President and corporate spokesperson for a global financial institution.

● Led media relations, executive communications, and crisis response initiatives.

● Directed launch communications and brand positioning for Lehman Brothers Bank (later Aurora).

● Built and managed internal communications team capabilities and processes. Grey Advertising / GCI / Principal Communications – New York, NY Account Supervisor 1992 – 1996

● Managed strategic public relations and trade communications for IBM’s consulting business.

● Directed crisis communications programs for healthcare and technology clients.

● Developed co-branded communications initiatives for IBM and Procter & Gamble joint ventures. EDUCATION

Saint Michael’s College – Colchester, VT

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism

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