Michelle Calcote King founded Reputation Ink in 2011 following a decades-long public relations and marketing career that took her across the globe, with professional stints on three continents and extensive experience in the legal, technology and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries. Since launching Reputation Ink with just one client, Michelle has grown it to more than 30, with more than 10 full-time staff members and a range of specialist consultants.
Industry recognitions
In 2023, Michelle was named to Lawdragon Global’s 100 Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting list. She is active in both the legal and AEC communities, currently serving on the board of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Southeast Region and formerly serving on the Northeast Florida board of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). She also served on the Grievance Committee (Fourth Circuit, Grievance Committee B) of The Florida Bar, for a three-year term.
In 2015, Michelle was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal. She was recognized by the paper in 2008 as one of the city’s “40 under 40” up-and-coming professionals.
Speaker and podcast host
Michelle is a sought-after speaker on public relations and content marketing topics, with prior speaking engagements at the local, regional and national levels for both LMA and SMPS, and she is frequently asked to comment on marketing and PR issues in the media.
The host of “Spill the Ink,” a podcast on thought leadership and brand visibility for B2B professional services firms, Michelle has interviewed hundreds of legal, AEC and other B2B industry thought leaders. She herself has appeared on numerous podcasts discussing PR, marketing and thought leadership best practices.
Early career
After graduating with a master’s degree in international communications from the University of Florida, Michelle began her career in London at a high-tech PR agency during the dotcom boom. It was then she discovered her niche promoting companies in highly complex industries.
Following PR roles in both London and Australia, Michelle returned to the United States and worked throughout the U.S. Southeast, including serving as the Public Relations Director for a regional marketing firm based in Jacksonville, Florida. She then became the Senior Vice President of a national PR firm focused on corporate law firms. In that role, she managed a team of 18 senior-level consultants residing in 16 states and oversaw client service delivery for a range of small, medium and large corporate law firms across the country in 25 states.
Animal lover, gardener and slow runner
In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her two dogs and two cats, gardening and running very slowly in the Florida heat.