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.

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Drawing on his 35 years of experience developing and leading strategic, global communications programs for some of the world’s most recognizable and influential organizations, Drake offers 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 in the United States as well as China.

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Since launching Steven Drake Associates, LLC in 2003, and since co-founding in 2012 RFP Associates, LLC, a public relations agency search consultancy, Drake has developed and managed communications programs for clients in education (e.g Johns Hopkins University/Carey Business School; Corinthian Colleges, American Public University System); government (Montgomery County, MD and the State of Maryland); healthcare (e.g., International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis); technology (e.g. ThreatMetrix, Merchant Link, Wynyard); and professional and trade associations (e.g., Auto Care Association, International Coach Federation; Optical Society).

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Before launching Steven Drake Associates, LLC, Drake held senior, international executive positions in the corporate and public relations agency sectors. As vice president, communications with Laureate Education, Inc. (formerly Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.), Drake built and managed the first comprehensive corporate communications function for the US $4 billion, then-publicly traded global provider of education services. His responsibilities included oversight and direction for Laureate’s marketing communications, public affairs/government relations, investor relations, and charitable giving activities.

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Throughout the 1990s, Drake held positions of increasing responsibility with FleishmanHillard, one of the world’s largest and most recognized public relations firms. There, over a 12-year span, he served the communications and public affairs needs of clients in many sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, transportation, and retail. In 1994, he launched and managed the firm’s presence in China, opening offices and serving clients in Beijing and Shanghai, and providing management support to Fleishman-Hillard offices in Hong Kong, Manila, and Tokyo. Upon his return to Washington, DC in 1998, Drake directed FleishmanHillard’s international practice.

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Earlier in his career, Drake held management positions with two small high technology marketing communications firms and an account position with Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations.

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Drake serves as an adjunct professor of communication and public relations with the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, chair of the Maryland- Anhui (China) Sister State Committee for the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State, and previously was chair of the Maryland-China Business Council.

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Drake holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in journalism from the University of Maryland. He teaches, speaks and writes on a range of communications topics, including public relations in China, international public relations, and strategic thinking.