Management Team
Professional Staff
Cortney Rhoads Stapleton
Executive Vice President
Director, NY Office
Why PR?
According to philosopher George H. Lewes, “it is not enough that a person has clearness of vision, and reliance on sincerity, they must also have the art of expression, or they will remain obscure.” I see public relations as a modern-day art of expression and I enjoy helping people and companies become contributors to the movement of the news and the global discussion it ignites.
Areas of Expertise and Interest
As head of the New York Office and Professional Services Practice at BlissPR, I develop and implement overall messaging, thought leadership and digital and traditional media strategy both locally and globally for several of the firm’s clients. I enjoy collaborating with thought leaders on how they can become a part of the news. I am also involved in business development, team building and staff training at BlissPR. You can often find me in discussions with clients and prospects about their digital marketing strategy. Recent projects include launching a corporate blog, developing online personal brand campaigns and conducting social media training sessions. I serve as one of the Worldcom Public Relations Group representatives for the firm and currently chair the global B2B Practice Group. I created the first Worldcom B2B Social Media study and collaborate annually on a study with the Association of Management Consulting Firms and the Bloom Group that illustrates the intersection of thought leadership and social media at consulting firms. I specialize in working with professional service firms and associations in the accounting, consulting, retail, banking, private equity, personal finance, careers and technology sectors.
What I Did Before BlissPR
I began my PR career at Walsh Communications where I concentrated on media relations for professional and financial services companies. Prior to Walsh I worked for a non-profit organization as a project coordinator, concentrating my efforts on teaching, lobbying and local community relations. Before moving to NYC, I worked with the State of Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation and New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.
I have a Masters degree in international relations from New York University and graduated cum laude from St. Michael’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and environmental studies. I recently served on the Board of Directors of an anti-trafficking organization. In my spare time, I have studied photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the International Center of Photography.
What I Do for Fun
I enjoy traveling, reading and using up my last big stash of film before non-digital cameras become totally obsolete. Most recently, I have decided to return to my New England roots by learning how to cook. The process has been, to put it mildly, a little daunting.
