Andrew Cook
5.0
(1)
Studied at University of Florida
Works at University of Florida
Successful clients at
Not currently taking new clients
About Andrew
In my coaching, I strive to help communicators do great things with great love, for those in great need while enjoying the beautiful moments along the way. That mantra has guided my career and now shapes how I mentor the next generation of PR professionals. I became who I am because of the mentors and educators who lifted my vision. As a coach, I aim to do the same for emerging PR students and professionals, helping them see possibility, stretch their ambition, and build the confidence to chart meaningful careers in communications. My career journey has taken me from prestigious agencies such as Edelman in Chicago and Weber Shandwick in Seattle, to New York City now where I'm the founder my own independent communications consultancy where I work with mission-driven organizations and brands looking to have an impact. Those experiences taught me that strategic communications, when practiced with purpose, can be a catalyst for genuine social change.
Why do I coach?
In my coaching sessions, I meet people where they are, whether they’re finding their voice, navigating agency life, or trying to align professional success with personal meaning. I see coaching as a partnership built on empathy, curiosity, and trust. I’m a connector at heart, committed to opening doors, sharing lessons from my own path, and reminding every communicator that relationships are at the core of our craft. We’re at a pivotal moment in public relations: AI and new technologies are reshaping the landscape, but storytelling, ethics, empathy, and adaptability remain timeless. My role is to help communicators master today’s skills while cultivating the habits — curiosity, resilience, and purpose — that will sustain them tomorrow. Ultimately, my coaching philosophy is about weaving together the professional and the personal. I want every client to leave not only with sharper skills or a stronger pitch, but with a deeper sense of purpose and joy in their work — ready to do great things, with great love, for those who need it most.
Work Experience
Adjunct Professor
University of Florida
August 2025 - Present
I teach social media management to about 40 undergrads each semester, blending real-world case studies, hands-on projects, and industry insights to help students build the skills they’ll need to succeed in today’s fast-moving communications world. Presentation Skills
Public Relations Consultant & Counselor
Andrew Cook Public Relations
March 2024 - Present
I provide external communications consulting and execution for clients and partners in corporate (tech, brand, travel, healthcare) and nonprofit sectors. I don’t just pitch stories, I help leaders shape movements and build trust through storytelling and strategic communication. I work with brands and organizations that want to show up in the world with courage, clarity, and purpose.
Account Manager
Porter Novelli
July 2023 - March 2025
Provided account support and strategic counsel for clients including Amazon Web Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Comic Relief US, Operation Smile, Panasonic, VSP Global Innovation Center, T-Mobile, and W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Managed and led executive thought leadership events and brand activations at SXSW, Times Square, UNGA Week, Fast Company Innovation Festival, Techonomy Climate NYC, and Concordia. Media Relations, Brand Storytelling and +2 skills
Consultant
Airbnb
January 2022 - March 2023
Embedded within the Airbnb Pop Culture & Product Consumer Communications team. Drove pop culture visibility for Airbnb by executing celebrity partnership campaigns tied to business initiatives, managing contracting, social posting, media interviews and crisis support. Created and published news content for Airbnb Newsroom, leveraging travel trends and proprietary Airbnb data. Managed outreach with celebrity partners in support of Airbnb.org’s efforts to fund short term housing for refugees fleeing Ukraine during the early days of the war in 2022. Project Management, Influencer Outreach and +11 skills
Manager
Weber Shandwick
July 2019 - May 2023
As a member of Weber Shandwick's Social Impact and Corporate teams, provided account support and strategic counsel for clients including Airbnb, Amazon, Amgen Foundation, Ancestry.com, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Royal Caribbean Group, Transamerica Institute and UW Medicine. Helped lead issues management and crisis response for UW Medicine during the initial U.S. outbreak of COVID-19 in the Seattle area. Developed national and regional media expertise through media relations on behalf of McDonald’s and Transamerica Institute. Strategic Communications, Internal Communications and +12 skills
Account Executive
Edelman
May 2018 - July 2019
Education
University of Florida
Master's degree, Public Interest Communications
2020 - 2024
The University of Florida online Master of Arts in Mass Communication specialization in Public Interest Communication is a first of its kind program designed to produce graduates who want to be able to make people care and use strategic communications to drive social change. Communication, Interpersonal Skills and +2 skills
Brigham Young University
Bachelor's Degree, Public Relations
2011 - 2017
Activities and societies: Bradley Group (PRSSA) While I did attend BYU, it’s important to clarify that my own personal views of inclusion and acceptance are not aligned with those held by the university. Communication, Interpersonal Skills and +2 skills
1 Review
Overall Rating
5.0
Andrew has helped Leland clients get into Public Relations Society of America