User:Michael L. Caudill

Michael L. Caudill (Born February 1, 1975) is the President and CEO of DRIVEN Media Communications (AKA - DRIVEN Public Relations). As the company's top PR professional, Caudill overseas DRIVEN's entire client roster. As an automotive enthusiast, Michael has recently become a more visible authority on the automobile industry as well making routine appearances on Fox News Channel's 'America's Newsroom' with Bill Hemmer and Martha McCallum and KTLA Channel-5 Los Angeles.

In 2009, Caudill also served as the official Spokesperson and Auto Expert for NADAguides.com, one of the automobile industries top research and data sites. Test driving new cars, providing editorial feedback and working to help media outlets develop solid automotive content were part of his daily responsibilities.

HOW IT ALL STARTED?
Caudill's appearances on television started simply as a fluke. Supporting the 2005 Orange County Auto Show is Anaheim, California, Caudill had helped arrange KTLA's Gayle Anderson (reporter) with an exclusive morning of media coverage live from the convention center. As part of the arrangement, Caudill arranged for an auto expert to go on live with Anderson during her 5:30 am segment. After one segment, the expert had a conflicting appointment and Anderson was left with nobody to go on. Five minutes before going live, Anderson said, "either you go on or we'll have to cancel the shoot." (see Mike's first-ever television appearance) So, Caudill went on and the segment went well. Anderson invited Caudill to report at the LA Auto Show and Inland Empire Auto Show's that same year, along with providing routine coverage for other automotive programs. With a family history in news television, Caudill remains passionate about providing viewers with information solid content and information that is useful. (Video archive)

PUBLIC RELATIONS
DRIVEN Media Communications was founded in 2004 by Caudill as an automotive public relations and marketing agency. Supporting clients on an international level, DRIVEN remains one of the core PR firms in the auto industry.

POLITICS
Caudill started his career in politics working for United States Representative Frank D. Riggs as a Congressional Aide. Working out of the Eureka, Ca District Office, Michael was fortunate enough to learn very quickly the impact our local, state and federal representatives have on policy. H.R. 3610 (Headwaters Legislation Bill) was the single largest and controversial bill passed while Caudill worked for the Congressman. The legislation provided oversight on how old growth timber could and would be harvested. This legislation was explosive in Humboldt County and the Congressman's office was targeted by environmental organizations as a place to protest. Although Caudill had left for the afternoon, the Congressional office attacked by an environmental organization and the aftermath was later caught up in the courts for years to come.

Following his short stay with Congressman Riggs, Caudill served as the Campaign Manager for Sam Crump for State Assembly and following the election moved to Southern California. Landing at Burson Marsteller as an Account Executive, Caudill worked onsite with Lincoln Mercury at their corporate offices in Irvine, CA. As a entry level PR professional, Caudill served as a product specialist for the Lincoln brand of products. Caudill went on to Hill & Knowlton Public Relations representing Mazda North American Operations.

Caudill graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Political Science. During Caudill's senior year he served as the Associated Student Body President (elected) and was a three year member of the Lumberjacks football team as a quarterback. During the second semester of Caudill's senior year he accepted an internship with CNN in Atlanta, Georgia. While with CNN, he was fortunate to cover the 1996 Olympics.