Work With Me
Twenty years in.
Just getting started.
I've spent two decades building brands, mobilizing communities, and helping organizations tell the stories that move people. Here's a little more about how I got here — and how we might work together.
Book a free 30-minute callThe short version
I grew up understanding that stories change things. That belief has guided every chapter of my career — from running a scrappy marketing agency in Nashville and New York, to founding one of Tennessee's only LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, to sitting across the table from major donors, coalition partners, and legislative staff trying to move the needle on issues that actually matter.
I hold an MBA from Belmont University and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which is a fancy way of saying I bring both strategic vision and operational discipline to the work. I don't just help you figure out what to say — I help you build the systems to keep saying it, consistently, without burning out your team.
I'm a community builder at heart. Every engagement I take on starts with a genuine curiosity about who you are, who you serve, and what's getting in the way. The strategy comes after the listening.
Selected work
I built Inclusion Tennessee from a blank Google Doc into a statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization — attracting $750K+ in annual funding, assembling a coalition of 40+ community leaders, and influencing 12+ pieces of state legislation along the way.
The communications challenge was as hard as the advocacy work: low community awareness, a fragmented partner landscape, and a state that wasn't always listening. We built four distinct communication strategies across digital, traditional media, grassroots, and coalition channels — and the community showed up. Participation grew 300%. Media mentions grew 500%.
For twelve years I ran a full-service marketing and communications agency serving clients across political, nonprofit, retail, real estate, and entertainment sectors in Nashville and New York. At our peak we were a 25-person team managing $1M+ in annual ad budgets and producing 50+ high-profile events nationwide.
The work taught me how to think across industries, manage high-stakes campaigns under pressure, and build the kind of client relationships that last — our retention rate held at 85% over more than a decade.
Brought in to revitalize stagnant marketing efforts following COVID, I rebuilt their campaigns across 12 platforms and produced a comprehensive annual report — original copywriting, design, and photography — that told the organization's story in a way that moved donors to act.
Within eight months, volunteer applications were up 45%, community awareness had grown 30%, and major donor retention had increased 25%, generating $150K in additional contributions.
How I work
I lead with listening
Before I offer a single recommendation, I want to understand your organization — your people, your pressures, your wins, and what keeps you up at night. Strategy without context is just guessing.
I think in systems, not campaigns
A great campaign is one thing. A communications infrastructure that keeps working after I'm gone is something else entirely. I build for sustainability, not just the short win.
I adapt to what you need
Some engagements are a focused sprint — a brand refresh, a launch strategy, a campaign plan. Others are longer partnerships where I embed with your team. I'm comfortable in both.
I tell you what I actually think
I'm not here to tell you what you want to hear. If your messaging isn't working, we'll talk about why. That kind of honesty is the whole point of bringing in outside perspective.
Ready to build something?
Start with a free 30-minute call. No prep required — just come ready to talk about your work.
Book a free 30-minute callPrefer email? Reach me at phil@philcobucci.com