“Often my biggest stressors and best ideas can be tackled with a long walk, a good stretch, or a quick sweat”
Hanlon Walsh, APR
director of strategy
Hanlon leads business development, media relations and messaging strategy for clients in the hospitality and tourism, nonprofit, and commercial real estate sectors. As new business lead, Hanlon works alongside our firm president to spearhead Peritus’ growth and positioning strategy. His knack for writing and storytelling has helped craft mission statements and core values for longstanding Birmingham-based companies and secure national media coverage for impactful regional tourism campaigns.
Before joining the Peritus team in 2018, he served as communications director for Mobile Baykeeper, where he led public relations and marketing efforts for the largest environmental advocacy organization in the state. Forever a side hustle advocate, Hanlon is a tennis writer and podcaster who regularly travels to professional tournaments as credentialed media to interview top players and industry experts. He is also a contributing writer for Mobile Bay Magazine and Mobile Baykeeper’s “CURRENTS” publication, where he enjoys writing about his Coastal Alabama upbringing and outdoor adventures.
A native of Mobile and graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, Hanlon holds leadership positions with a mix of local and industry-wide organizations, including Alabama PRSA (programs co-chair), Public Relations Global Network (Leadership Roundtable Co-Chair) and Freshwater Land Trust’s Junior Board (former membership chair). Outside of work, he enjoys quality time with family/friends, a nice morning coffee or rooftop drink, listening to tennis podcasts, and maxing out his annual PTO.
SPECIALTY
business development, media relations, message strategy, copywriting
EXPERIENCE
U.S. Civil Rights Trail, RCX Sports, Embrace Alabama Kids, Greater Birmingham CVB, Capstone Communities
PASSIONS
traveling, tennis, running, beach volleyball, podcasts, coffee shops
PRESENTATION TOPICS
Developing & Delivering Your Message, Media Relations & Crisis Communications Best Practices, In-House to Agency PR
FAVORITE PODCAST & PERITUS BOOK CLUB READ
Podcast: The Tennis Podcast (The New York Times agrees)
Book Club Read: Made to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath