Beth Cope
Principal

As principal and founder of Talking Heads Media, Beth Cope is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia . Beth brings over nine years experience specializing in special interest politics.

Prior to founding Talking Heads Media, Beth served as executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia for six years. As executive director she multiplied the annual budget by ten and made the organization into a political power house. Most significantly she made NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia the media's “go-to” organization for reproductive health issues.

Because of her earned media expertise, NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia was able to champion issues and pass legislation. Under Beth's leadership, Georgia was the second state in the country to pass the Prescriptive Equity Bill, a bill that required insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives. During Beth's tenure, NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia thwarted every piece of opposing legislation.

Beth also served on Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin's election campaign. In that role, Beth secured endorsements, built organizational support, planned events and secured the women's vote.

As principal of Talking Heads Media, Beth led the earned media campaign for the 2005 Smoke Free Air Act. As a result, in part, of Talking Heads Media’s efforts Georgia became the first tobacco state to pass a smoke free air act.

A proven leader statewide and citywide, Beth also served as a leader in her own community. She served as the East Atlanta Community Association President in 2000, chaired the Friends of the East Atlanta Library and was elected to the board of Neighborhood Planning Unit W in 2001. She currently serves as a Board Member for the Jeanette Rankin Foundation and chairs the Public Relations Committee for the Board of Directors Network.

She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Georgia State University. Beth lives in Atlanta and has resided in the city for 11 years.

Allen Thornell
Principal

Allen Thornell brings more than twelve years of experience specializing in communications and politics to Talking Heads Media.

Prior to joining Talking Heads Media in April 2007, Allen served as Georgia Political Director for the Service Employees International Union where he oversaw the creation and implementation of the union’s political plan for the state. His work with SEIU also included election activities, preparing legislative agendas, issue research, building strategic partnerships and candidate recruitment and lobbying.

Allen’s responsibilities with SEIU also included serving as executive director of Georgians for Healthcare, where he managed a campaign that registered 50,000 new voters.

Allen also served as executive director of Georgia Equality, where his lobbying expertise was critical in leading opposition to an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state Constitution. He also raised 85 percent of the organization’s $250,000 annual budget. Allen also managed the day-to-day operations of the statewide organization, including election activities, issue campaigns, field operations and communications.

During his time with Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, Allen managed all aspects of client relationships, including the conception, planning and implementation of communication and marketing plans. He specialized in pubic affairs and crisis and community relations.

Allen is also a leader in the community. Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Atlanta City Council selected him to serve on Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission in 2005. After serving on the board of Neighborhood Planning Unit W and the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board, he campaigned for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 2006. Allen currently chairs the board of the Equality Foundation of Georgia and serves on the board for the Victory Fund.