Over 35 years of combined agency & client-side Public Relations experience
Our mission is to provide strategic creativity and deliver measurable results.
This Is BRANSTORM
BRANSTORM is the brainchild of PR and marketing communications veteran Colleen Brannan. With more than 35 years of combined agency and client-side experience at national firms, large corporations, and niche consultancies, Brannan believes PR does not stand for a press release, and she proves that daily with a non-traditional, dare we say, “scrappy” approach to communications.
Founded in 2006, BRANSTORM is the brainchild of PR veteran Colleen Brannan. With over three decades of experience on both the agency and client sides—from global firms to niche consultancies—Colleen is known for her creativity, candor, and unstoppable moxie. A fearless generalist and quick study with a passion for solving business problems through big ideas, BRANSTORM was built on one mission: Strategic creativity that actually moves the needle.
We are just the right size, scrappy and nimble, with a multidisciplinary team of experts ready to respond to any challenge. We have what we need in-house and outsource the rest to keep our overhead manageable, and our client costs reasonable. We are highly selective about the clients we work with and the people we hire.

Colleen Cotter Brannan - Founder & President
Professional Experience
Colleen Brannan is a dynamic public relations and marketing communications expert with more than three decades of experience driving results for top national agencies, Fortune 500 corporations, boutique consultancies, and integrated firms. In 2006, she channeled her passion for strategic storytelling and brand building into founding BRANSTORM PR & Marketing.
Throughout her career, Brannan has led brand-building campaigns for household names including Hanes, Chick-fil-A, Bissell, MCI WorldCom, Newell Rubbermaid, and Wachovia. Today, her diverse client portfolio spans professional service firms, commercial real estate developers, entertainment brands, destinations, and hospitality companies.
Before launching BRANSTORM, Brannan built a reputation for creativity and results in both agency and corporate leadership roles. She served as Senior Vice President/Director of Public Relations at Luquire George Andrews, Vice President of Public Relations at Mullen in Winston-Salem, and held key account management positions at Ketchum and Cohn & Wolfe in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. While at Cohn & Wolfe, she became Media Director of the Atlanta office. On the corporate side, she refined her leadership and communications expertise with PR leadership roles at MCI and Cox Enterprises, managing high-stakes initiatives and shaping corporate narratives.
Career Highlights
- Managed Centennial Olympic public relations for Hanes, Sensormatic, and Georgia Tech, home of the Olympic Village
- Launched the first women’s professional soccer league (WUSA) and led PR for the Atlanta team
- Led external communications for Cox Enterprises and the Field PR team for MCI Business Markets
- Founded BRANSTORM PR & Marketing in 2006, now celebrating 20 years and counting
- Recipient of PRSA Charlotte’s Infinity Award (2023) for lifetime achievement
Recognition
Colleen’s professional contributions have earned numerous accolades, including:
- 50 Most Influential Women in Charlotte (Mecklenburg Times, 2010 & 2014)
- Top 25 Women in Business (Charlotte Business Journal, 2011 & 2022)
- Mecklenburg Times ICON Award (2018)
- The Charlotte Ledger’s 40 Over 40 inaugural class (2020)
- PRSA Silver Anvil Award for “Aspirin, That Little Miracle in Your Medicine Chest”
- PRSA Charlotte Crown Awards for Community Relations on behalf of Gibson Mill (2024) and for Events & Observances on behalf of Gresham Smith (2025)
Professional and Community Leadership
Colleen is deeply engaged in civic, philanthropic, and professional leadership. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Humane Society of Charlotte and is an active member of the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red and Cor Vitae Society. She’s also a long-time member of PRSA National, PRSA Charlotte, Charlotte Uptown Rotary Club, Women Executives, Ducks Unlimited Charlotte, and the Hospitality & Tourism Alliance (HTA). Since 2020, she has written a humor column for The Charlotte Ledger.
She’s a past president of NAWBO Charlotte, a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class 30, and a licensed NC Commercial Real Estate Broker since 2020. Her past board service includes SHARE Charlotte (2018-2022, Chair, 2020–21), Uptown Rotary Club (2019-21, Club Secretary), South Charlotte Partners (2023–2024), JDRF Charlotte (2008–2014), and Providence Day School Charger Club (2018–2020).
Education and Personal Life
A Springfield, Virginia native, Colleen earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, Scott, and has two children: Nicholas, a UNC–Chapel Hill graduate ‘24, and Phoebe, a USC Trojan ‘26
Community Involvement
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – Member Since 1992, Charlotte Chapter Since 2006
- Rotary Club of Charlotte Member – Since 2010
- Women Executives Charlotte Member – Since 2014
- Ducks Unlimited Charlotte Executive Committee – Since 2015
- Hospitality & Tourism Alliance Corporate Partner (current)
- Humane Society of Charlotte Board Member and Marketing Committee (current)
- Leadership Charlotte Class 30 Grad & Alum
- SHARE Charlotte (Past Board Chair)
- JDRF Charlotte (Past Board Member) Now Breakthrough T1D
- Providence Day School Charger Club (Past Board Member)
- South Charlotte Partners (Past Board Member)
- University of South Carolina Alumni Association
We’re passionate problem solvers who put the client and their goals at the center of everything we do.

Branstorm PR is located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, NC.
Photo: Jenkins Peer Architects
We’re A True Partner
We’re not just a vendor; we’re the year-round resource every Chief Marketing Officer or PR Director wishes they had in-house but is smart enough to outsource. We serve as an extension of your team, providing the expertise, strategy, and execution to keep your brand ahead of the curve.
We’re Here To Help
We’re here to help — but not to sugarcoat. We tell it like it is, delivering the honest insight your business needs to grow. We believe in big-picture thinking over piecemeal plans and long-term partnerships over one-and-done projects — which is why we only work on retainer. If we’re in, we’re all in.
What Our Clients & Partners Have to Say
“Colleen is fierce and tenacious yet delivers with dignity and grace, especially when it comes to acting on behalf of her clients. I have worked with her for many years, and she is one of the best PR professionals around.”
TJ McCullough, Market President and Publisher - Charlotte Business Journal“We have worked with BRANSTORM as our PR partner for several years. Colleen Brannan’s thoughtful planning always delivers great outcomes, from our company leadership transition and community engagement strategy to publicity and problem-solving. While not a company employee, she certainly feels like a team member. If you need an external resource to help build your brand and bring value to your business, I highly recommend working with Colleen.”
Marcus Rabun, CEO - Myers & Chapman, Inc.“Colleen is an outstanding business owner whose expertise in public relations and marketing is among the best I have seen in my 50 years in owning and operating major companies, including 15 years as president of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Her thoroughness, creativity, and depth are the highest I have encountered. She is well-regarded in the community and the region.”
Humpy Wheeler, (Retired) President and GM - Charlotte Motor Speedway“As a former CEO of an international sales, marketing, product development, and logistics company, and current college president, I have worked with many of the best marketing and communications professionals in the world. It is rare to find an individual with greater passion, talent, and experience than Colleen Brannan. Her marketing and public relations work with the college, including the launch of our motorsports business management program and a redesign of our Crossroads magazine, has dramatically improved our national visibility while building a solid media relations network throughout the country.”
Dr. William K. Thierfelder, (Retired) President - Belmont Abbey College“Since we began working with Colleen at BRANSTORM PR in 2021, she has been a remarkable asset as we expanded our brand in the greater Charlotte region. Colleen is more than just a “consultant.” Instead, she serves as an extension of our team, working seamlessly with both our local and corporate staff, leveraging her public relations expertise and network for our benefit. I highly recommend her services to any company wanting to grow their visibility and business in Charlotte.”
Andy Aparicio, Director of Corporate Communications - Gresham Smith“When it comes to negotiating value for your investment dollars, brainstorming concepts for an event that will pack the house, securing media coverage, or identifying new partner associations, you can count on Colleen Brannan to work her magic. For the past five years, her firm (BRANSTORM) has brought us creative new strategies to stay ahead of our competitors and pushed our thinking on thought leadership topics and events that bring value to the community. If you are looking for someone who will leverage her network on your behalf and be a creative PR professional, Colleen is one of a kind.”
Cheryl Richards, CEO & Founding Regional Dean - Northeastern University“Colleen is one of the most experienced, talented, and capable women I know. I value her creativity, connectivity, and counsel. Her strong relationships and communications skills enable her to effectively navigate opportunity and complexity, which translates to benefit for her clients.”
Janet LaBar, Executive Director - Women’s Impact Fund“Colleen and I have worked together since 2014, and she has underpromised and over-delivered. I could not be more pleased with her expertise and professional can-do attitude. She has made me a smarter business owner with her advice and counsel.”
Daniel Levine, Chairman - Levine Properties“Colleen constantly impresses us with her ability to infiltrate and sell to companies, both in and outside her network. It’s obvious she loves what she does and considers it a sport. As an extension of our VIP sales team, she continues to up her game and made a measurable difference in our bottom line. I highly recommend her and BRANSTORM to any company who needs marketing and business development support in the Charlotte region.”
Ashley Adams, Director of Venue Sales - Live Nation Premium Experiences“No one I know is more creative or has more marketing and communications expertise than Colleen Brannan. She takes the time to understand the brand, mission, vision, and, most importantly, the goal of every client. She doesn’t rely on standard tactics to create a plan. I love working with Colleen because she will always provide an inspired approach that will outperform every metric she puts in place.”
Moira Quinn, COO/SVP Communications - Charlotte Center City PartnersLet’s Make Things Happen
Contact us to discuss how we can help elevate your brand.











