Adam Handelsman, Founder & CEO Adam@SpecOpsComm.com

Adam Handelsman is a unique force in the world of marketing and media relations. A hands-on generalist, he thrives in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape and understands what it takes to achieve meaningful, impactful results. Throughout his career, Adam has embraced one core belief: it’s not about what you say about yourself, but what others say about you.

With 25 years of experience, Adam has had the privilege of working alongside some of the most influential figures and organizations, including icons like Ray Bradbury, Dick Schaap, Stephen Pressfield, Maj. Ralph Peters, and Nick Bollettieri. These early collaborations were formative, providing Adam with a foundation that set him apart in an industry often reliant on digital communication. He learned early on that true success in PR comes from building authentic relationships and communicating with a human voice.

Adam’s career spans both client-side and agency roles, which gives him a well-rounded understanding of PR from every angle. His portfolio includes leading campaigns for emerging brands and Fortune 100 companies, such as:

• Starbucks – Creator of the "Green Team" initiative for Earth Day

• Philips Van Heusen – Directed the “Save Ellis Island” campaign

• General Electric – Led the “Hire Our Heroes” initiative

• World Gym, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Evian, Shopping.com, Merck, EDS, and many others

In 1996, while at a New York agency, Adam launched the Starbucks “Green Team” — an initiative aimed at generating positive press for the company. He rallied twenty-five employees to clean up Morningside Park for Earth Day. What started as a small effort snowballed into a major media success, with the event being featured on a Fox News segment seen in 100 markets.

Before founding SpecOps Communications, Adam served as the Managing Director at Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates (LHA), EVP and National Director of Strategic Media Relations at Cohn & Wolfe, and EVP & Partner at 5W Public Relations. He also made his mark during the dot-com era as Director of PR at Netpulse, where he secured over 3,000 media hits for the company within three years.

Adam’s broad range of experience, from PR agency leadership to in-house brand management, has given him a unique skill set. He has been part of a diverse range of successful campaigns, and his passion for authentic, results-driven PR continues to shape the work he does with SpecOps Communications today.

Outside of work, Adam is an avid fly-fisher, Jeep enthusiast, and family man. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and can often be found on the couch every Sunday, nervously watching his New York Jets.