At AKCG, we’re proud to help clients achieve their bottom-line business goals and navigate through challenging waters. We depend on our team of media relations and crisis communications experts to meet our clients’ goals day in and day out. In our Meet the Team series, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the dedicated AKCG team members serving our valued clients.
To kick off the series, meet Mike Gross, President of AKCG. Mike is a trusted advisor to clients and one of the firm’s steadfast leaders. Learn more about his expertise and approach to communications below.
How did you get your start in public relations?
In our industry, it’s largely about “who you know” and I was lucky enough to have a professor in college link me up with my first internship. That internship led to my first job in the public relations field…as well as my second job.
Do you specialize in certain areas of communications?
I like to think of myself as a problem solver first, and a PR person second. I have rather deep experience in both the proactive and reactive sides of our industry, running both expansive promotional/positive campaigns, as well as leading the communication response to serious crises. Both ends of the spectrum require an attention to detail, a sense of the bigger picture and confidence your strategies and counsel are in everyone’s best interests.
What is one of the first things you do when a crisis begins to unfold?
Well, this certainly depends on the nature of the issue, but one universal rule – even before we communicate – is to encourage the organization facing the crisis to do the right things, right away. In our world, we’re largely reliant on those in power taking action – appropriate, ethical action – so we can communicate those actions to the audiences that matter most.
AKCG has been a trusted market-driven, results-oriented PR firm for nearly four decades. As we look forward, what might we expect from the team?
While we have decades of experience among our team, we continue growing and learning with a young agile team. We’re deeply committed to remaining on top of the latest trends in our industry as the communication landscape continues to rapidly change. Only then can we provide our clients with sharp, thoughtful counsel and effective public relations programs.
What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
Well, I used to spend Sundays lounging around, but now I prefer to spend them with my 18-month-old son as he begins to experience the world and grow.
