Crossing the firing line
The recent dismissal of news analyst Juan Williams by National Public Radio has touched off a controversy that ultimately seems to be more evidence of how the line between news and opinion is increasingly blurred. NPR…
The recent dismissal of news analyst Juan Williams by National Public Radio has touched off a controversy that ultimately seems to be more evidence of how the line between news and opinion is increasingly blurred. NPR…
How do you get your news? If you are like me, it’s a hybrid of sources and may be different every day. Over the last 24-hour period, for instance, I’ve read five or six blogs, visited…
You’ve probably heard about the Gap and its new logo debacle. Last week the clothing retailer announced it was returning to its original logo following a firestorm from consumers scrutinizing the new design. But what’s interesting…
When talking to recent college grads (job hunters), I always ask if they’re on Facebook. I don’t want to stalk them online, but I’m curious to know if they consider Facebook to be a tool beyond…
According to a recent survey by Euro RSCG Worldwide, 51% of the 5,700 adults surveyed believe that digital communication is “weakening the human bond.” They aren’t ridding themselves of their smart phones quite yet, but they’re…
A few weeks ago, I was having dinner at a restaurant in Austin. Although I’m sure the restaurant is lovely with any other server, my experience was terrible. Before the spiral of bad service unfolded, I…
It’s my turn to write a column for the Cookerly blog and I am going to use it to pay tribute to a man with whom I had the privilege of working many years ago. Gary…
Blog: (a blend of the term web log) usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other materials – video, photos, etc. A child of the 90s, the blogosphere has…
As most know, BP mercifully announced their runaway Macondo well is permanently sealed, thus resulting in a lost summer along the Gulf Coast. The Deepwater Horizon saga played out for 153 days and released approximately 4.1…
I and two of my colleagues from Cookerly Public Relations recently attended the Wall Street Journal-sponsored “How I Built It” event at the St. Regis in Buckhead. Colleen DeBaise, the Journal’s small business reporter, moderated a…
As design director at Cookerly, Tim serves as the creative lead in the development of branding campaigns, print collateral and digital media for clients across a broad range of industries, including consumer, professional services, healthcare and technology.
With more than 25 years of experience as an award-winning designer of print, multimedia and web campaigns, Tim provides expertise in the creative development of branding campaigns, print collateral, advertising and digital media.
As an honor graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, he earned dual degrees in graphic design and illustration.
As a senior vice president at Cookerly, Mike Rieman is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations and reputation management. With a proven track record of securing high-profile placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and USA Today, he excels at crafting compelling narratives that resonate across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
Bringing more than two decades of experience in public relations and journalism, Mike leverages his background as a former news editor to develop media strategies that drive visibility and engagement. He has led award-winning campaigns for a variety of clients including Kaiser Permanente, YMCA and Georgia Film Academy. Among his most memorable projects is the highly successful launch of McDelivery, McDonald’s delivery service.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mike earned his degree in speech communication from the University of Georgia. He is deeply engaged in the community, serving on the Board of Trustees for the Chattahoochee Nature Center and co-chairing the PRSA Georgia Healthcare Resource Group. An avid sports enthusiast and tennis player, he resides in Marietta, Georgia, with his wife and two children.
Mike Touhill is vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, where he helps lead traditional, social and digital media programs for B2B and B2C clients in packaging, telecommunications and technology, among other industries. As a communication leader, he develops and executes public relations strategy, provides proactive and reactive counsel to C-level executives and secures earned media coverage for client initiatives and product.
In his previous roles, Mike has worked for global industrial companies; consumer, lifestyle and real estate brands; and academic institutions. He is an enthusiastic, team-first colleague and mentor who is passionate about the power of public relations.
Mike holds a B.A. in Mass Communications from Virginia Wesleyan University.
Andrew Agan is a vice president at Cookerly Public Relations, overseeing the agency’s internship program and leading media relations, content strategy and social media initiatives. He provides counsel and executes campaigns for clients across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, hospitality, technology, automotive and many others. Andrew excels at crafting compelling stories and building media relationships, resulting in clients being featured in notable outlets such as CNBC, Associated Press, Business Insider, Fox Business, HBO, Inc. Magazine, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, among others.
A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Andrew serves on the school’s Department of Communication Arts Public Relations Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Advisory Council. Passionate about professional development, Andrew enjoys mentoring junior staff members, helping them grow within the agency and achieve success in their careers.

Cookerly has helped tell the story of Deluxe Corporation as a trusted business technology company to media, customers and Wall Street. Through robust media relations, investor days, NYSE activations, CEO and SME thought leadership and media tours, the team has built tier-one relationships resulting in breakthrough stories and segments. The agency has helped raise awareness for direct marketing services for financial institutions and payments-focused companies and products across small businesses sectors including restaurants, retail and more.

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.

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 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.

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.