Our team has decades of combined experience launching signature properties and premier global brands, but our work doesn’t stop there; we continue to make our clients stand out over time. Our staff of twenty-five is made up of teams dedicated to specific areas of expertise - real estate and design, luxury goods and lifestyle, special events and partnerships, social media strategy, and content creation - all collaborating on your behalf.
SCOTT COOKE
CO-FOUNDER
With a strong background in entertainment, luxury goods, and real estate, Scott Cooke has carved out a unique niche in the world of brand consulting. Beginning his PR career at LaForce+Stevens as the leader of the Entertainment partnership division, Scott combines his talent for media relations, storytelling and event management with his robust network of influential relationships. Bringing a non-traditional approach and a curated lifestyle lens, his insight into residential and commercial real estate media has helped introduce the work of many noted architects and top-tier developers' most significant properties in the city. Scott entered the media industry when he was recruited by the William Morris Agency. He then moved on to work directly under Madonna and partner Guy Oseary at Maverick Entertainment/Warner Bros., where he was responsible for celebrity relations and social and lifestyle management. Inspired by his passion for brands and activations, Scott leads strategic partnerships and events for Optimist.
LESLIE LECOUNT
CO-FOUNDER
Leslie LeCount has over a decade of experience in real estate-specific public relations, specializing in corporate positioning, brand strategy, and high impact campaigns for prominent residential developments, many with strong architecture and design components. She is responsible for successfully publicizing signature Manhattan buildings such as 53W53 and The Woolworth Tower Residences. Optimist Consulting is also the PR firm of record for all residential development at Hudson Yards, the largest private real estate development in the history of the United States. Prior to co-founding Optimist, she served as a Senior Vice President at Rubenstein Associates. Leslie started her public relations career in hospitality, representing global luxury hotel brand Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. She is also an accomplished television producer, having produced content for CBS News and Fox News Channel.
PAUL LERNER
CO-FOUNDER
Paul Lerner, Partner at Optimist Consulting, has over 20 years of public relations experience. His training at the William Morris Agency and Disney/Touchstone Television garnered a vast list of industry contacts and a keen eye for producing events involving celebrities and tastemakers. He is well-respected throughout the publishing industry and his lifestyle and luxury division delivers impactful product placements and editorial coverage at both the wholesale and retail level. Lerner manages key luxury and lifestyle accounts in addition to overseeing major events for the agency.
Optimist Consulting is committed to cultivating a diverse, safe, inclusive, and accessible environment for our staff and clients. Leveraging our influence in our work allows us to take action to become accountable allies for people with historically marginalized identities, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). We do not overlook the ongoing injustices, discrimination, and systemic oppression that continue to take place across the United States and globally. To remain neutral or silent would be tantamount to complicity in such injustice.
We acknowledge the work needed for change within our organization’s sphere of influence. Understanding that we can do more than having meaningful conversations, below we have offered some of the actions we are implementing within our company. Most importantly, we understand that these actions are just the beginning of our work to create equity and inclusion, and that our work as allies will be ongoing.
Education: Completing organization-wide DEI training with our inclusion partners, The Darkest Horse, a minority and woman-owned consultancy firm.
Internal Culture: The development of an internal committee to establish a safe space for all employees to have their voices heard and be agents of change.
Client Equity: Participating in pro bono work and advocacy for organizations that directly impact our local community’s wellbeing, including projects with the Lower Eastside Girls Club and LaGuardia High School.
Community: Building community outreach and volunteer opportunities to inspire Optimist Employees to create broad lasting impact.
Influence: Consistently evaluating our external relationships with vendors, service providers, influencers, and publications to ensure that their missions and messaging align with Optimist Consulting’s core values.