Courtney Brown

I'm a public relations practitioner driven by the creative universe. I'm inspired by art, music, nature and storytelling. I want to do and see a lot of things. I want to help raise awareness for causes that need more attention during this crazy time in our world (i.e. climate change, social equality and women's rights to name a few). I want to experience foreign cultures. I want to listen to good music. I want to dig for authentic information. I want to make a difference. I want to help others tell their stories in the most effective ways possible.

I have been fueled by creativity from the start. My passions stem from music, film, writing and self expression. Whether it was writing and directing a play in my backyard at age eight or forming a *hardcore* chick band called "Just Because" (pictured left), I've always been inspired by bringing artistic ideas to life.

I am first and foremost a storyteller. I attended San Diego State University, where I wrote for the school's independent newspaper, The Daily Aztec. I worked in the entertainment section, covering music, film and the arts. My interest in music journalism led me to The Belly Up Tavern, a music venue in Solana Beach, where I worked as a marketing/events intern. Recently I did some freelance work for Herewith Magazine, a female-fuelled surf culture collection. I was more than happy to get on board, due to the nature of the magazine, especially because it allowed me to tell the stories of rad women in the surf and sustainable fashion world.

My definition of public relations is telling peoples' stories ethically and authentically. It's being a channel of communication between a brand and the public and understanding that brand's culture. I landed a full-time, post-grad internship at Covet Public Relations, which allowed me to experience the agency side of PR. I helped manage publicity and craft messaging through media alerts and pitch writing for a variety of clients in the health and wellness industry.

I have been lucky enough to travel far outside my bubble of Orange County, California. With every new destination I check off my list comes a stronger yearning to keep exploring. I've gained valuable insights on human interactions and communication, which impacts my approach to public relations. While studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia, I interned at a tech startup called Tribe. That's where I was able to fully grasp how the power of social media can bring cultures together and will be imperative for brands to master in the coming years.

I completed my college education at San Diego State University in the spring of 2017. However, I don't want my education to end there. There is so much more I want to learn through taking chances, exploring new places and working with innovative people. I'm extremely passionate about advocating for the environment, women's rights and freedom from discrimination. Regardless of my career path, I will continue to seek ways to be involved in finding progressive solutions that bring people together and create change.