THE STRATEGIST BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT

STEVEN R. THORNTON

FOUNDER & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR

Steven R. Thornton is more than a publicist — he’s a curator of influence, with nearly three decades at the intersection of entertainment, media, and brand storytelling. A proud Philadelphia native, Steven’s journey began in 1996 at the prestigious Essence Awards, where he connected with icons like Toni Braxton, Seal, Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, and the legendary Aretha Franklin. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Temple University, Steven joined Essence Magazine in 2008 as a staff writer, where he covered the historic U.S. Presidential Election from Phoenix — a career milestone that cemented his reputation for delivering high-profile, high-pressure coverage with precision. In 2015, Steven founded SRTMedia in Atlanta, quickly building a portfolio of distinguished clientele across entertainment, corporate, and public sectors. Today, based in Phoenix, he leads the firm with the same energy and vision that defined its inception — offering elite-level public relations, crisis management, and media strategy for clients nationwide. Steven holds a Master of Arts in Communication Management and Public Relations from the University of Denver, graduating Magna Cum Laude. In addition to running SRTMedia, he is a Public Relations Professor at Grand Canyon University and is currently authoring his debut memoir. Driven by a passion for storytelling and a talent for shaping public perception, Steven R. Thornton continues to set the new standard in public relations.