Release: Four Influential Atlantans Join Forces to Launch Authenticity Partners, A Bipartisan, Minority-Owned Media Buying Firm

(left to right) Shirley Franklin, Lori Geary, Tharon Johnson, Brian Tolleson

Atlanta, January 13, 2022 – Four of Atlanta’s most prominent, successful political and communications operatives have joined forces to launch a new media buying firm, Authenticity Partners. The co-founders of the firm are former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, political strategist Tharon Johnson, media guru Lori Geary, and advertising expert Brian Tolleson. 

“We’re launching in Georgia because we have rapidly become one of the most diverse media markets in the country, and diversity demands authenticity at every level. Georgia is the new epicenter of politics, business, entertainment, sports, education, and healthcare. It’s the right time and the right place for reaching people in meaningful ways to drive change,” said Franklin, who served as Atlanta mayor from 2002 to 2010. 

“You couldn’t find a more experienced and diverse group of individuals to come together and develop winning media strategies. As a former journalist, I have seen first-hand what works and what fails when the issues hit the airwaves. I have worked with this esteemed group for years and this is the right opportunity at the right time,” said Geary, an Emmy Award-winning reporter who joins the group with decades of experience on both sides of the camera and the aisle.

“As someone who has run political and issues-oriented campaigns, Authenticity Partners fills a gap that is needed in Georgia,” said Johnson, who recently served as a senior advisor to the Biden for President campaign. “All eyes are on Georgia right now and we are looking at the most competitive election year this state has seen in decades up and down the ballot. This is a team that you can trust to get things done because we’ve spent the last two decades winning.”

“Our goal is to serve clients who need experience and strategy maximizing their ad dollars on digital, social, broadcast, cable and streaming platforms,” added Tolleson, a managing partner at Lexicon Strategies. “This is a unique group being led by people of color and LGBTQ people who are also established leaders in our communities. When you can bring together that diversity of representation with real subject-matter expertise, I think you build trust with audiences in powerful ways.”

Authenticity Partners offers clients an all-encompassing media strategy that can’t be matched. Drawing on their vast communications experience they can design, create, and execute winning campaigns in the political, corporate, and government arenas.

From identifying the right audience to developing and placing media on every platform, Authenticity Partners offers white-glove, best-in-class service for clients from start to finish. They know every great idea begins and ends with communicating a powerful message.

Bryan Leavoy, former Managing Editor at WSB-TV, was named General Manager of Authenticity Partners and will oversee day-to-day operations.

Authenticity Partners is a powerhouse of experience in politics and media:

The Honorable Shirley Franklin – 58th Mayor of Atlanta, first woman to hold the office and first African American woman to be elected mayor of a major Southern city. Current President of Clarke Franklin Associates. Since 2011 Franklin has served on the board of directors of Mueller Water Products and previously on the board of directors of Delta Air Lines. In addition, Ms. Franklin serves as Chair of the board of directors of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and is a board member of the Paul Volcker Alliance.

Lori Geary – Current Executive Producer & Host, Fox5’s “The Georgia Gang,” Communications Strategist and Partner - Lexicon Strategies, President - Lori Geary Media, Former Political Reporter - WSB-TV.

Tharon Johnson – Political Strategist, Senior Advisor, Biden for President Campaign, National Southern Regional Director, Obama Campaign, Founder and CEO, Paramount Consulting Group.

Brian Tolleson – Former Interim CEO of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Founder and former CEO of Clios and Cannes Lions-winning advertainment agency, BARK BARK, Current Managing Partner of Lexicon Strategies

Bryan Leavoy -- Former Managing Editor at WSB-TV. An 8-time Emmy Award winning journalist, Bryan launched Lumberjack Media, a marketing consultant firm, after two decades of leading broadcast, digital content, social media and streaming strategy for one of the nation’s largest local news organizations.

For more information:

Bryan Leavoy, General Manager 

Phone: 404-437-6246

Email: bleavoy@authenticitypartners.com

Website: authenticitypartners.com