lfilas@filasmedia.com
(847) 772-9927
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Filas Media Consulting
Purpose
Communication is Key
Controlling your message and relaying clear, concise information to residents in a timely manner has never been more critical than it is today.
Danger presents itself when a slip up occurs in front of a TV camera, a news release does not contain the pertinent information, social media is used incorrectly or a reporter’s question is taken out of context. In a matter of minutes, your reputation and credibility can be destroyed.
Villages often don’t have the operating dollars to hire a full-time communicator or high-priced marketing agencies.
When media and crisis communication responsibilities are handed off to an untrained person, the results are often catastrophic.
The solution is Filas Media Consulting, a firm offering media expertise at a fraction of the cost of the alternatives. Founder Lee Filas is an award-winning veteran journalist with 28 years of media experience and five years as a communication manager. Aside from serving as a journalist for the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights, he served as communications manager for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office handling high-profile media relations and crisis communications. Filas currently assists several governmental agencies searching for and preserving a positive image, catering his communication strategy to the needs of each governmental entity. Filas Media can create a crisis communication plan, assist in writing press releases, prepare speeches, implement public relations campaigns, write magazine or news articles and more.
Scroll below to review Filas’ bio and resume, read testimonials from customers and employers and review what Filas Media can offer your village. Then click contact to set up a meeting with Lee Filas to see what we can do to help you.
TESTIMONIALS
Jeff Pavletic
Former Special Counsel, US House of Representatives
Former Chief Deputy, Lake County State's Attorney's Office
Lee Filas is a journalist and consultant of the highest order. He is smart, honest, possesses excellent judgment, is a brilliant communicator, and has an unparalleled work ethic. I recommend Lee’s unique skills to anyone in need of his consulting and communication expertise. You will find him to be a highly professionalized gentleman and scholar.
Ken LaRue
Former Chief, Felony Trial Division,
Lake County State's Attorney's Office
Navy Intelligence Officer, Captain/O-6
Lee Filas is the consumate professional who has a proven track record of effectively communicating to a wide audience. Delegating your communication requirements to Lee is an essential investment that will enable your organization to maintain excellent public relations and mitigate information before it becomes an issue.
Arin Thrower
Chief Communications Officer
Lake County
When Lake County was faced with sharing critical information out to 700,000+ residents during COVID-19, Lee was vital in ensuring these communications were accurate, easy to understand, and provided efficiently. His talent in writing and extensive media contacts made him an asset to Lake County, and will assist any entity in the future.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Crisis management
Handle all incoming news media requests for village and serve as public information officer for the municipal police department.
News releases
Handle any and all news releases for the for the village and the municipal police department.
Newsletters
Filas Media is the premiere resource to redesign, author and produce your annual, bi-annual or quarterly village newsletters to ensure communication not only benefits residents but also positions the village in the most positive light.
Click "Learn More" below for additional information.
Social Media
Filas Media has extensive knowledge in the use of all social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram NextDoor, SnapChat and more. They are fluent in the creation of eye-catching graphics designed to get the word out about any event across all social media platforms.
Click "Learn More" below for additional information.
Seminars
Filas Media will be hosting training seminars specifically designed for municipal officials and public information officers intent on learning key approaches and protocol to goal oriented communication.
Click "Learn More" below for additional information.
Political Communication
Filas Media has assisted political campaigns at municipal, county and state levels. Speech writing continue to be crafted so the audience walks away with an understanding and appreciation of the position on critical topics.
Click "Learn More" below for additional information.
Bio, Resume & Awards
Because of his decades of experience as both an award-winning journalist and a successful communication manager, Lee Filas has been on both sides of the podium during nationally recognized media events.
Lee Filas joined the Daily Herald as a full-time reporter in 1999 after spending three years at Lakeland Newspaper and Pioneer Press. He spent the first 10 years of his career covering the northwest portion of Lake County, focusing on Fox Lake, Lake Villa, Antioch, and the Round Lake area. He accelerated and achieved the position of crime reporter in 2008, where his main task was covering breaking news and crime. He was promoted again to focus on the crime and courts beat. During his 20 year profession, he earned five Peter Lisagor Awards from the Chicago Headline Club, along with dozens of honors from the Associated Press and the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association.
In 2019, Filas accepted a position as communication manager for the Lake County State's Attorney's Office under former State's Attorney Michael Nerheim. Filas flourished while addressing many crisis situations, including the pandemic and related COVID-19 issues. He handled national and local media for major stories including the arrest of Kyle Rittenhouse in Antioch, the felony murder charges involving the Lake County 5 and a governmental lawsuit filed by the state's attorney's office against JUUL Labs. In addition, he successfully served as communicator for high-profile stories involving murder convictions of Marni Yang and Melissa Calusinski and the death of Lt. Joe Gliniewicz.
