Steve Drake, Principal

 

Steve Drake provides corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies with targeted, expert and cost-effective communications, marketing and business development strategy and implementation. 

 

 

Drawing on his more than 20 years of experience developing and leading strategic, global communications programs for some of the world’s most recognizable and influential organizations, Steve Drake offers a range of services designed to help clients effectively communicate with audiences most important to their success, influence or reinforce perceptions and opinions, and achieve their organizational objectives.

 

 

Before launching Steven Drake Associates, L.L.C., in 2003, Steve Drake held senior executive positions in the corporate and public relations agency sectors.  As vice president, communications with Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAUR), formerly Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. Drake built and managed the first comprehensive corporate communications function for the $1 billion, publicly traded global provider of education services.  His responsibilities included providing oversight and direction for Laureate’s marketing communications, public affairs/government relations, investor relations, and charitable giving.

 

 

Before that, Drake held positions of increasing responsibility with Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., one of the world’s largest and most-recognized public relations firms.  There, over a 12-year span, he served the marketing and public affairs needs of clients in a range of sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, transportation and retail.  In the mid- to late-1990s, he launched and managed the agency’s presence in China, opening offices and serving clients in Beijing and Shanghai.  Upon his return to Washington, DC from Asia, Drake directed Fleishman-Hillard’s international practice.

 

 

Drake has also held management positions with two small high technology marketing communications firms, and an account position with Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations. 

 

 

He holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication.  He speaks and writes on a range of communications topics, including public relations in China, international public relations, and strategic thinking.