Media CEO Brings 40 Years of Expertise to ORU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Hill, Director of University Relations & Communications
Office: 918.495.7337, Mobile: 918.720.5548
sthill@oru.edu

Tulsa, OK – Oral Roberts University is excited to announce that media producer, consultant, and author Dr. Phil Cooke will be coming aboard the University’s Communications and Media Department to serve as a Visiting Professional in Residence.

“Phil Cooke is known throughout the media landscape for his ability to help others tell their stories and for his skill at merging the worlds of faith and entertainment,” said ORU President Dr. William M. Wilson. “His extensive knowledge will allow ORU students to have a powerful impact on media not only in Hollywood, but around the world.”

Cooke, a 1976 ORU alumnus, is the founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles producing television and film programming in more than 60 countries. He leads a creative team that has launched, branded, and created media strategies for many of the largest and most effective churches, ministries, and nonprofits around the world.

“Not only will Phil Cooke provide invaluable insight and training for ORU media students, but he will also help them launch their careers by developing networking opportunities within the industry,” said ORU Provost Dr. Kathaleen Reid-Martinez.

Cooke was Executive Producer of “Hillsong: Let Hope Rise,” released to theaters nationwide in 2016, and produced Billy Graham’s most-seen program “Starting Over,” which reached nearly 1.5 billion people in 200 countries in one day.

“My goal is to change church culture and impact the world with quality Christian media,” said Cooke.  “Christians can and should be the most creative people in the world because they have some of the greatest stories to tell. I want ORU students to be the best in the industry at telling those stories.”

Cooke earned his Bachelor of Arts in Television and Film from ORU in 1976, a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Theology from Trinity College and Seminary in 2002. He is a member of The Producers Guild of America and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; he also serves on ORU’s Communication and Media Task Force.