Brian O'Connor

Brian O’Connor is a ComArtSci Fellow completing his tenth and final year of service on the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Advisory Board in June 2026, having served as President from 2020 to 2022. He also serves on the ComArtSci faculty, teaching Event Production for Public Relations—a course he was invited to design and curate—and has co-led the ComArtSci Los Angeles Industry Immersion program.

In September 2025, Brian was appointed to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s National Board of Directors, becoming the first Michigan State Spartan in the organization’s 45-year history to serve on the Board of Directors. A 25-year member of HRC, he previously served on the organization’s National Board of Governors and as Chair of the HRC Palm Springs Steering Committee, where he continues to serve as Executive Producer and Chair of the nationally recognized HRC Palm Springs Garden Party & Silent Auction, now approaching its 25th year.

For more than three decades, Brian has lived and worked throughout Greater Los Angeles and Southern California, holding senior roles in hospitality, entertainment, and communications. He began his career at Hilton Hotels Corporation in Beverly Hills, where he worked in brand marketing and later managed the global brand identity redesign for Hilton Worldwide (1996–1998). He also served as Director of Public Relations for The Beverly Hilton, home of the Golden Globe Awards.

His entertainment and corporate communications experience includes leadership roles at Warner Bros. Feature Animation, Disney Consumer Products, and a 15-year tenure in public relations, marketing, and sales with Princess Cruises and Cunard Line, both part of Carnival Corporation. He has also served as a consultant, event producer, and executive speechwriter for the Wilson Dow Group in Chicago.

A graduate of The Protocol School of Washington, Brian has recently returned to the institution as a consultant for its Protocol Officer Certification program.

Areas of Expertise

· Strategic Communications (Corporate, Executive, Employee, Crisis)

· Public Relations & Media Relations

· Social Media & Content Production

· Sponsorships, Partnerships & Promotions

· Event Production (Corporate Theater, Stadium Events, Cruise Ship Launches, Product Launches, Red Carpet Events, Press Conferences)

· Protocol, Diplomacy & Intercultural Business Etiquette (Dignitary Visits, Ceremonies, Flags, Gifts, Business & Dining Etiquette)

· Community Relations & Philanthropic Partnerships