James Lee

James founded a strategic communications company focused on developing and executing communications programs positioning and growing corporate brands and reputations.

A noted media and online trainer and speaker, James has built a multi-disciplinary approach to media relations centered around the strategic coordination of various disciplines and stakeholder interests to achieve a client’s goal, including corporate brand reputation, investor relations, labor and internal communications, media relations, event planning and support, crisis communications and training, and government affairs.

Prior to forming The Lee Strategy Group, James was a director at the global communications firm Burson-Marsteller working on a wide array of issues demonstrating his intuitive understanding of the linkages between communications, brand value, issues management and business goals, including financial services, biotech and healthcare, technology issues, marketing, environmental communications, public affairs.

He has also counseled Fortune 500 firms on developing and training internal staffs on leveraging social media for public outreach and supplementing media relations and customer service efforts. James works as an executive and media relations coach and trainer for top executives and elected officials and has built social media training programs and seminars for marketing, communications and investor relations staffs around the world.

Prior to work in the private sector, James served as Communications Director for the California Environmental Protection Agency where he oversaw communications and public outreach on a wide range of health and safety issues including air and water quality, pesticides, toxic and solid waste and health hazard assessment. He also served as California Governor Pete Wilson’s Deputy Press Secretary where he was one of the Governor’s chief spokesman and managed communications outreach and relations with national and local television and radio stations.

James’ extensive media experience also includes work in television, radio and entertainment promotions at media companies such as Paramount Pictures, KABC-TV, Gannett Broadcasting and CBS Radio. James maintains relations with a wide array of reporters, bloggers, columnists and editors nationally and statewide.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, James immigrated to California with his family and grew up in Los Angeles. He holds bachelor degrees in business and journalism from the University of Southern California and is active in several professional and charitable organizations, including serving on several boards.