Dan Hanson
Account Manager
In high school, Dan Hanson wanted to be a sports reporter, the next Grantland Rice or Red Smith. However, he learned quickly in college that the cliché quotes, long hours, and poor pay for sports reporters weren’t for him. Given the choice out of college to be a sports reporter or news reporter, Dan chose news.
Covering education, criminal trials, elections and municipal government, and interviewing the likes of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes, and blues legend Johnny Copeland, Dan loved the variety of being a news reporter – but it was just the first step in this writer’s journey.
Dan loved the variety of being a news reporter – but it was just the first step in this writer’s journey.
Dan parlayed his newsroom experience into a career in higher education public relations, leading communications functions at Lock Haven University, Gwynedd Mercy University, and Widener University and gaining valuable experience at several other institutions. Dan used his newsroom experience to pitch articles published in major U.S. daily newspapers and aired on top-tier broadcast outlets. He also served as editor for university magazines and newsletters, conducted institutional re-branding programs, guided crisis communications, directed website redesigns and led marketing efforts.
Throughout his career as a public relations professional and writer, Dan has focused on creating and strengthening human connections to organizations. He understands that moving people to take action is challenging. It takes the ability to appeal to their hearts and minds through compelling storytelling that cuts through the thousands of messages they receive daily. He has won several awards for writing and public relations campaigns from CUPRAP and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.
Dan brings his communications passion, experience and toolkit to the team at Laura Bishop Communication. He thrives on the fast pace of the never-ending news cycle and finding unique angles to catch reporters’ attention.
Affiliations & Education
Dan is a long-serving member of CUPRAP, a professional community committed to advancing higher education marketing and communications, and a recipient of the Don Hale Award for his dedication and service to the organization. Dan serves as co-chair of the CUPRAP Awards Committee and has also served as a judge for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education district awards and the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association awards. Dan earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism/media studies from Lock Haven University and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Widener University.
Outside of Office
When not working, Dan can most likely be found reading. He has devoured all the novels of Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Irving and Carl Hiaasen. He also loves the outdoors, spending time at Ridley Creek State Park or the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, or pulling weeds from his flower garden. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Dan lives in Wallingford, Pennsylvania with his wife, Elizabeth.