Steve Hannagan

Steve Hannagan was a highly-successful pioneer of public relations who built ground-breaking publicity campaigns for the Indianapolis 500, Miami Beach, Sun Valley, Las Vegas, the 1940 Presidential Campaign, and Coca Cola. He developed, tested, and refined many of the press and publicity principles commonly used today.



Along the way, Steve Hannagan knew or worked with most major figures and celebrities of his era. His colleagues and friends spanned business, Hollywood, Broadway, New York’s Café Society, the news media, politics, and sports.

Hannagan was a garrulous, charming, whip-smart press agent who never pulled a phony deal. His honesty and charm opened doors to the powerful. His press campaigns were sensational or subtle and always caught the eye of the intended audience. His success always brought him coverage in major news media like: Life Magazine, Fortune, Look, Colliers, Scribner’s, New York Times, and Movietone News.



About the Author



Michael Townsley was born in Logansport, Indiana where he attended St. Bridget’s Elementary School and Logansport High School. He graduated from Purdue University, earned a Masters of Arts from the University of Delaware, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.



Townsley was the Community Relations Director for the Appoquinimink School District in Odessa, Delaware, from there he became the Business Officer of Franklin Community Schools in Franklin, Indiana, and next he was the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President at Wilmington College in New Castle, Delaware. After completing several books on finance in higher education, Townsley was named Professor of Business and later Dean of Business at Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts.



Dr. Townsley has authored these books: Financial Strategy for Higher Education, Weathering Turbulent Times, and The Small College Guide to Financial Health Beating the Odds, Financial Strategy for Higher Education. He recently completed a biography of Steve Hannagan. In addition, he has contributed chapters and numerous articles on finance, management, IT systems for financial management, and higher education marketing.