Strategic Public Relations Counsel and Implementation
An accredited public relations professional (APR), Leigh Coulter Beal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations agencies, news reporting, and trade associations.
Both as principal of Coulter Beal & Company and as a vice president for one of Atlanta’s largest independent public relations agencies, Leigh has provided strategic counsel with a diversity of clients and scope of counsel.
Counsel includes areas as diverse as:
strategic counsel,
internal and external communications audits and focus groups,
corporate image and direct mail campaigns and materials,
community relations campaigns,
student housing research surveys and focus groups,
media relations,
media training,
brochures and newsletters,
special events,
speeches and
audio visual presentations.
Some examples are:
Edwards Fine Foods, a national food company, in its introduction of Edwards Gourmet Pie single servings in six markets throughout the U.S., involving media relations, community relations, trade publications and food distribution;
Coors Brewing Company and its media and community relations efforts in the Southeast;
Amelia Island Plantation, guiding its media, crisis communications, community relations, and social media programs.
Technology Park/Atlanta Inc. in media and community relations for its three large mixed-use developments in metropolitan Atlanta;
Sidel Inc., a multinational manufacturing company with multi-day events while locating its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta;
Brewton-Parker College, in south Georgia, developing crisis strategies and communications for an ongoing financial aid crisis;
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, in developing audits, focus group research, strategic marketing programs and collaborative efforts for Georgians with development disabilities; and,
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, focusing on community, media, and new product communications; and,
on-site counsel for McDonald’s before and at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
In addition, some of the universities and developers proposing modern student housing included:
Albany State (Ga.),
East Carolina University,
Kennesaw State University, and
University of Florida.
Strategic planning, speaker training and media training benefitted:
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
the (Georgia) Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
Georgia Mental Health Association
Southern Legislative Conference
Junior League of Atlanta.
She also has served as a guest lecturer in public relations and strategic counseling at:
University of Georgia
University of Florida
Florida State College of Jacksonville, and
Fernandina Beach High School.
Breadth of Experience
Before forming Coulter Beal & Company, Leigh’s other roles that added to her expertise for her clients include:
Education
University of Georgia, bachelor of arts in journalism
Honors
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi
magna cum laude
graduation with general honors and honors in journalism
Professional Affiliations and Community Roles
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Past president of the 800+-member Georgia Chapter
American Red Cross Board of Directors Executive committee
The Atlanta Project strategic communications plan
Junior League of Atlanta member
media training for Board
speaker training for Board
All Saints Episcopal Church chair, annual member events
Fernandina Beach Woman’s Club president, two years
2nd vice president
Fernandina Beach High School Foundation executive committee
Fernandina Beach Middle School School Advisory Committee, secretary
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church vestry member (clerk), confirmation teacher and Diocesan teen advisor/mentor
An accredited public relations professional (APR), Leigh Coulter Beal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations agencies, news reporting, and trade associations.
Both as principal of Coulter Beal & Company and as a vice president for one of Atlanta’s largest independent public relations agencies, Leigh has provided strategic counsel with a diversity of clients and scope of counsel.
Counsel includes areas as diverse as:
strategic counsel,
internal and external communications audits and focus groups,
corporate image and direct mail campaigns and materials,
community relations campaigns,
student housing research surveys and focus groups,
media relations,
media training,
brochures and newsletters,
special events,
speeches and
audio visual presentations.
Some examples are:
Edwards Fine Foods, a national food company, in its introduction of Edwards Gourmet Pie single servings in six markets throughout the U.S., involving media relations, community relations, trade publications and food distribution;
Coors Brewing Company and its media and community relations efforts in the Southeast;
Amelia Island Plantation, guiding its media, crisis communications, community relations, and social media programs.
Technology Park/Atlanta Inc. in media and community relations for its three large mixed-use developments in metropolitan Atlanta;
Sidel Inc., a multinational manufacturing company with multi-day events while locating its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta;
Brewton-Parker College, in south Georgia, developing crisis strategies and communications for an ongoing financial aid crisis;
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, in developing audits, focus group research, strategic marketing programs and collaborative efforts for Georgians with development disabilities; and,
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, focusing on community, media, and new product communications; and,
on-site counsel for McDonald’s before and at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
In addition, some of the universities and developers proposing modern student housing included:
Albany State (Ga.),
East Carolina University,
Kennesaw State University, and
University of Florida.
Strategic planning, speaker training and media training benefitted:
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
the (Georgia) Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities
Georgia Mental Health Association
Southern Legislative Conference
Junior League of Atlanta.
She also has served as a guest lecturer in public relations and strategic counseling at:
University of Georgia
University of Florida
Florida State College of Jacksonville, and
Fernandina Beach High School.
Breadth of Experience
Before forming Coulter Beal & Company, Leigh’s other roles that added to her expertise for her clients include:
- vice president for one of Atlanta’s largest independent public relations agencies
- editor and reporter for several newspapers in Georgia and Florida, including
- The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
- The Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald
- Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat.
- public relations director for a Georgia trade association, with national membership.
Education
University of Georgia, bachelor of arts in journalism
Honors
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi
magna cum laude
graduation with general honors and honors in journalism
Professional Affiliations and Community Roles
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Past president of the 800+-member Georgia Chapter
- highest award for service to the chapter
- highest award for volunteerism in Atlanta.
- Ethics and Advocacy Officer of the North Florida PRSA chapter
- served on several important national PRSA committees.
American Red Cross Board of Directors Executive committee
The Atlanta Project strategic communications plan
Junior League of Atlanta member
media training for Board
speaker training for Board
All Saints Episcopal Church chair, annual member events
Fernandina Beach Woman’s Club president, two years
2nd vice president
Fernandina Beach High School Foundation executive committee
Fernandina Beach Middle School School Advisory Committee, secretary
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church vestry member (clerk), confirmation teacher and Diocesan teen advisor/mentor
