Centurion Strategies: About Us

Centurion Strategies is not your typical PR team. We break ranks to deliver fast and effective results for clients, on time and within budget. With more than 10 years of high-level public relations, crisis management, international sales and marketing, integrated advertising, events and community affairs experience, we've built a solid reputation not only for the agency but for our clients. Having worked with state and federal government agencies; professional athletes and entertainers; Fortune500 companies, as well as small- to medium-sized businesses, we've adopted a hybrid playbook. Concise messaging, bold strategy, building brand alliances, executing unique campaigns, and talented operators rank highest on our list of why our clients succeed. As for which is more important—PR or advertising—we think they should coexist with a lock-stepped balance difficult to strike.

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Michael Bilello founded Centurion Strategies in 2008 to meet the needs of clients who felt underserved, overcharged and unsatisfied with their agency of record for marketing, advertising, public relations, creative development and technology services. Since then, he has built the group into a multimillion-dollar, multitalented, multitasking team of professionals who serve a diverse array of clients in numerous sectors, from across the country.

Armed with Michael's experience working in some of the toughest public relations situations around the world, including delivering strategic messaging on behalf of clients through such diverse media outlets as Al Jazeera and Agencia Efe, to CNN and The Wall Street Journal, Centurion is the trustworthy option for both building and protecting your brand.

A sought-after press management, brand development, crisis management, media strategies, public affairs, political strategies, strategic marketing and business development consultant, Michael has garnered clients' messages, products and personalities exposure on national television networks, including CNBC, Fox Business News, CNN, ESPN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC, ABC and MTV. He has appeared on behalf of clients on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Tokyo T.V., CNN morning news programming and several local ABC, CBS, NBC and sports news affiliates. Further, his connections and PR savvy have landed clients write-ups in the The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, SportsBusiness Journal, Sports Illustrated, PRWeek, Consumer Reports and Florida Trend, to name a few.

In 2005, Michael worked on a team with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that ultimately saved the Los Angeles Air Force base and $60 billion in accompanying aerospace projects from Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC). More recently, the public relations industry publication PRWeek recognized his brand campaigns and business development strategies for best practices and tactics.

Michael is currently conducting integrated strategies for brands looking to increase revenue and work more closely with the media. His reputation for helping startup companies boost their profile and become household names, and for executing non-traditional launch and recovery strategies in various sectors, has made him a valued and trusted consultant in today's ever-changing markets. In 2009, he was listed among PRWeek's ''40 Under 40,'' which recognized 40 U.S. PR professionals under the age of 40 as rising talent within the field. Michael received the honor at age 29.

Previously, Michael served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he was an I Marine Expeditionary Forces Media Relations Officer, escorting major international media outlets during the invasion of Iraq and the subsequent ground operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to PRWeek, ''Michael established himself as a major talent during the initial Iraq invasion. Under missile fire, with CNN in tow, Bilello went live on air, explaining events and delivering messages about Marine preparedness to millions.'' For public affairs excellence and professionalism in military print and broadcast media, the Assistant Secretary of Defense presented him with The Thomas Jefferson Award, recognizing his work as editor-in-chief of Camp Pendleton's newspaper The Scout and as executive producer and co-host of The Pendleton Journal television-magazine show. Other past experience includes his role as a senior account executive at MWW Group in Los Angeles. Certified in crisis management, Michael graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in political science and from The Defense Information School at Ft. Meade, MD. He lives with his wife Amy, with whom he also works. Needless to say, all family dinners are working ones.

Lauren's work as a publicist for elite celebrity athletes, handling their media placement and strategy, marketing, promotion, social media, and event management has earned her a reputation as one of the strongest players in sports and entertainment media. A rising star within the industry, Lauren has represented sports' biggest names, including athletes in the NFL, NHL, NBA and professional boxing.

Past national coverage includes television features on The Early Show, CNN and E:60. Her clients have been featured on the pages of ESPN the Magazine, Ebony, Maximum Fitness, Readers' Digest and People Magazine, to name a few. Having worked closely with the NFL Players Association, Lauren assisted with promotion at the 2011 NFLPA rookie premiere party in conjunction with NFLPA sponsors. She also has worked in professional hockey, starting her professional career in the ECHL with the Las Vegas Wranglers.

Passionate about highlighting philanthropic efforts, Lauren has worked with several national organizations, including United Way's NFL Scout Team and Traffick 911, a campaign aimed at ending underage sex trafficking, during the Super Bowl. Past event planning and public relations campaigns for non-profits include work with The Asomugha Foundation, The Vince Young Foundation and the Heath Evans Foundation.

Originally from Rocklin, California, Lauren graduated from the University of Miami, majoring in public relations and political science. While earning her degree, Lauren worked in the Football Operations office for the Hurricanes. She is currently a member of Entertainment Publicists Professional Society and works from Centurion's Los Angeles office.

Amy has worked on all sides of the marketing and advertising triangle, allowing her to provide valuable insight into how everything really works and comes together for clients. She began her career as an intern at Universal Studios while studying at The University of Central Florida, during which time she also worked within the landmark marketing and promotions plan for the launch of Red Bull North America.

Continuing her career, she took on numerous roles at a specialty advertising agency, working with high-profile golf and entertainment products frequently showcased on such cable networks as Oxygen, E! Entertainment and the Golf Channel. Her efforts and performance brought her to Los Angeles as part of an expansion team that set up the company's new brand and location on the West Coast. In 2005, she took a role as National Account Executive, Marketing and Media Partnerships with Radio Disney, where she developed, managed and maintained high-profile clients including Sony/Columbia Tri-Star, Universal, Mattel, and IHOP. Amy also worked hand-in-hand with the Radio Disney marketing department, developing much of the launch, branding, marketing and placement strategies for complex national advertising campaigns.

After returning home to Florida, Amy honed her sales and account management skills at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Radio Network, where she secured and maintained key clients across the state. Before taking on a solid role with Centurion, Amy helped one of her former Buccaneers clients plan, develop, brand and market a full-service medi-spa in a very competitive market.

Amy currently serves as Centurion's Vice President of Marketing and Advertising Strategies, managing the strategy and implementation of millions of dollars of placements, nationwide. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and hanging out with her husband and two Chihuahuas (Copa and Cabana).