About Us

 
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From journalists and marketers to master storytellers.
It’s the classic “we started in a basement” story. But now, more than 25 years later, we’ve become one of the most respected and agile PR agencies in Utah — with a national reputation for crisis and issues management. As savvy communication consultants with integrated, full-service capabilities, we help companies of all sizes tell their stories and connect with their target audiences. We see challenges as opportunities, and thrive when working in dynamic industries, communicating complex ideas.
 
 

 
 

Our Fearless Leaders

 
 
Our team comes from a variety of PR firms, communication agencies and media organizations from across the country, bringing unparalleled expertise in reporting, writing, research analysis, messaging, pitching, project management, content strategy and brand advocacy. Meet our leaders.
 
 
 
Chris Thomas, president if Intrepid, is a nationally recognized crisis communicator, known best as the official publicist for Elizabeth Smart.
 
 

For the past 25 years, Chris has worked closely with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, professional sports teams, and even families in crisis. He’s developed hundreds of PR campaigns and managed more than 200 crises, including corporate fraud, data breaches, protests, murders, kidnappings and racial issues. He is probably most recognized for his work as the official publicist for Elizabeth Smart’s family during the 10-month period of her abduction and rescue. He then helped position Elizabeth as one of the leading child advocates in the United States.

Chris has been named one of the nation’s top crisis communicators by PBI Media, awarded seven Silver Anvils, recognized as Utah’s Professional Communicator of the year and is a recipient of the National Guard’s Minute Man Award. Under his leadership, Intrepid has been named Utah’s top public relations firm 15 times, including the past 12 years straight.

 
 
 
Leigh Gibson is a former journalist who covered war-torn Iraq and then transitioned to become a leader in the field of public relations and marketing communications.
 
 

Leigh brings a diverse skill set to Intrepid, having worked first as a journalist and now as a public relations professional for more than 15 years. This allows her to provide expert counsel for her clients from both the strategic and media perspectives.

She has been on the front lines of war-torn Iraq and on the front lines of proactive media pitches, crisis response, strategic development and execution, and marcomm project management—attacking every job with the tenacity of a seasoned reporter.

During her time as a journalist, Leigh developed strong relationships with local and national media contacts, which she maintains today. She is well respected for her work ethic and tenacity, and has been awarded numerous Golden Spike Awards as well as the industry’s highest honor—the Silver Anvil award from the Public Relations Society of America.

 
 
 
Michelle Kaleel, EA, is the controller of Intrepid Agency in Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
 

Michelle works tirelessly behind the scenes overseeing our financial operations, office management and human resources, allowing the rest of us to focus on what we do best. 

She joined the Intrepid team in 2015 as the agency controller, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance.

 
 

The Intrepid Team

 
 

 
 
 

Worldcom Partnership

Intrepid has earned membership as the exclusive Utah partner in the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations firms, with 143 offices in 115 cities across six continents. When we need local or industry expertise in other markets, this allows us to collaborate with trusted partners from all around the globe.

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Our Culture:
A Force for Good

We believe in creating change for more than our clients. All of us at Intrepid are strongly committed to giving back to our community — both as individuals and as a team.

Our corporate philanthropy model is 1:1:1, where we donate 1% of profits, 1% of time and 1% of product annually. You’ll find us serving at homeless shelters, tutoring first-grade students at a Title One elementary school and organizing community efforts. Every year we partner with several retailers and other businesses to execute The Road Home Apple Tree, which provides new back-to-school clothing for hundreds of children residing in our local homeless shelter. These efforts help us to be more grounded and creative.

The Road Home Apple Tree is a back-to-school clothing and supplies program for children living in homeless shelters in Utah.
 

 
 

Recognized Locally & Nationally

While our strategic and creative programs focus on generating the greatest impact for our clients, we are honored that they have also generated numerous accolades and awards.

 
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Our Clients

Large, small, local, national — and from countless industries. Our client list is long and varied and demonstrates our ability to assimilate quickly to any industry or challenge. We love nothing more than helping each of them make a big impact with communication programs that are strategic, targeted and holistic – as well as efforts that help to save the day.
 
 
 

 

 

Are You Intrepid?

Are you innovative and savvy about communications? Do you want to create bold work and big results? Are you someone we need to meet? Then, you just might be Intrepid.

 
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Contact Us 

Learn more about what we can do for your business.

 

Disclosure: EMI Health creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Intrepid. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please click here.