We are Iced Coffee, Please.
We’ve traveled the world with the first female Secretary of State, shaped the brand of America’s first African-American president, and mobilized Americans to support the largest humanitarian agency in the world.
Iced Coffee, Please. is a creative design and storytelling studio. Our roots are in mission-driven work. In our roles supporting President Obama, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and the United Nations World Food Programme, we shaped the brands of people and organizations inspiring hope and change.
We do this work now for transformative nonprofits, data-driven government agencies, and disruptive companies.
Our team includes veterans of the design and advertising worlds, communicators from top newsrooms, developers from the “new Silicon Valley”, and fundraisers from political campaigns. Together, we eschew a standard playbook or set philosophy. Instead, we listen and ask probing questions to develop custom solutions for each of our clients. We know for a fact that this collaborative and thoughtful approach is valued because nearly 70% of our clients come back to us year after year to collaborate again.
Erin Cochran
Partner / Brand & Communications Strategy
As a top communicator and content strategist from the government and nonprofit worlds, Erin founded Iced Coffee, Please. to help mission-driven people and organizations more authentically tell their stories.
A political science junkie since she was a kid, Erin worked in politics and government for nearly 20 years, beginning her career at Blue State, the digital agency that launched Barack Obama’s historic 2008 presidential campaign. Erin also led communications roles for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. She was responsible for transforming the digital content strategy for World Food Program USA.
At Iced Coffee, Please. Erin works with nonprofits, companies and government agencies to more authentically tell their stories to inspire giving, build a movement, or mobilize change.
Some of her favorite projects include:
- Helping to define the concept of ‘tree equity’ with American Forests
- Reimagining a story of hope about mental health for Vibrant Emotional Health
- Restructuring a communications team at the National Democratic Institute
- Creating a narrative about ethics education with designers and philosophers at Georgetown University
- Concepting a new approach to criminal justice reform with the NYC Mayor’s Office
A native of the American South, Erin resides in Lincolnville, Maine with her husband and three daughters. She serves on the Development Committee at AIO Food Pantry and on the board at Children’s House Montessori School.
Erin Cochran / Partner / Communications
Erin was raised in the American South but she fails to have anything close to a Southern accent. After graduating with a political science degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio, Erin moved to DC to pursue a dream of working in government. In 2009, she got her chance, as Deputy Director of New Media for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
After Senator Reid was re-elected in 2011, Erin moved on to serve as Communications Director to Madeleine Albright, the country’s first woman Secretary of State. It was the job of a lifetime. Erin traveled the world (Mongolia, China, Prague -- to name a few), planned complicated media trips, the book tour for the release of Albright’s fifth novel, and served as traveling press secretary to the Secretary during the 2010 congressional campaign cycle.
In 2013, Erin decided it was time to get off an airplane. She spent the next 4+ years as Vice President of Communications at World Food Program USA, raising money, awareness and advocating for strong Congressional legislation that would benefit the world’s hungry.
Throughout each of these diverse experiences, Erin learned a critical lesson: The story is not about you; it’s about the people and/or the issue you serve. She carries that belief with her no matter who she works for now.
Photo Credit: Paul Morigi
Erin Cochran / Partner / Communications
Erin was raised in the American South but she fails to have anything close to a Southern accent. After graduating with a political science degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio, Erin moved to DC to pursue a dream of working in government. In 2009, she got her chance, as Deputy Director of New Media for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
After Senator Reid was re-elected in 2011, Erin moved on to serve as Communications Director to Madeleine Albright, the country’s first woman Secretary of State. It was the job of a lifetime. Erin traveled the world (Mongolia, China, Prague -- to name a few), planned complicated media trips, the book tour for the release of Albright’s fifth novel, and served as traveling press secretary to the Secretary during the 2010 congressional campaign cycle.
In 2013, Erin decided it was time to get off an airplane. She spent the next 4+ years as Vice President of Communications at World Food Program USA, raising money, awareness and advocating for strong Congressional legislation that would benefit the world’s hungry.
Throughout each of these diverse experiences, Erin learned a critical lesson: The story is not about you; it’s about the people and/or the issue you serve. She carries that belief with her no matter who she works for now.
1: Taught geography and computer science in Namibia
2: Former All-American college swimmer
3: Mother to three daughters
4: Favorite musician is the late Jeff Buckley
5: Once tried and failed to bike across the country
6: Has roasted a whole hog
7: Switched to natural deodorant and isn’t going back
8: Doesn't like funny movies
9: Terrified of mazes
10: Dream trip: Madagascar
1: Taught in Namibia for a year
2: Was an All-American swimmer in college
3: Has two daughters; they're awesome
4: Favorite musician is the late Jeff Buckley
5: Once tried and failed to bike across the country
6: Is addicted to reading biographies
7: Switched to natural deodorant and isn’t going back
8: Favorite foods: pasta and sushi
9: Terrified of mazes
10: Dream trip: Madagascar
Kodiak Starr
Partner / Visual & User Experience Design
As a leading creative from the NYC agency worlds and the White House, Kody is deeply invested in the power of compelling visual design to inspire change.
Kody was raised off the grid without electricity or running water in northern Maine. After joining the modern world at the age of 15, he became obsessed with the internet and design. After college, Kody moved to Brooklyn and worked for a number of design agencies. He then took off for a professional and personal adventure in Kampala, Uganda, working for Ogilvy.
After returning stateside, Kody landed the job of a lifetime, serving as Creative Director of Digital Strategy at the White House under President Obama from 2010 to 2014. After three State of the Unions, launching the online platform We The People, and (literally) thousands of other projects, Kody left the government to work on his own.
He has developed a deep knowledge of the digital space and online consumer behavior. His work is influenced by his analog roots, a love for great typography and empathy for the user.
Some of his favorite projects include:
- Helping to shape the post White House brand of Joe Biden.
- Creating a digital magazine about resilience.
- Collaborating on communicating the future of criminal justice for NYC.
- Designing a mobile app for the USO
Kody is also well-versed in working both as part of a team and being the leader in the room steering the ship. He has found the best way to motivate is by doing, so Kody is a hands-on designer who likes to be intimately involved from start to finish.
Kodiak Starr / Partner / Visual & User Experience Design
Kody was raised off the grid without electricity or running water in northern Maine. After joining the modern world at the age of 15, he became obsessed with the internet and design. After college, Kody moved to Brooklyn and worked for a number of design agencies. He then took off for a professional and personal adventure in Kampala, Uganda, working for Ogilvy.
After returning stateside, Kody landed the job of a lifetime, serving as Creative Director of Digital Strategy at the White House under President Obama from 2010 to 2014. After 3 State of the Unions, launching the online platform We The People, and (literally) thousands of other projects, Kody left the government to work on his own.
He has developed a deep knowledge of the digital space and online consumer behavior. His work is influenced by his analog roots, a love for great typography and empathy for the user.
Kody is also well-versed in working both as part of a team and being the leader in the room steering the ship. He has found the best way to motivate is by doing, so Kody is a hands-on designer who likes to be intimately involved from start to finish.
1: Grew up off the grid with no running water
2: Has a gag reaction to raw tomatoes
3: Is the father of a baby girl named Acadia
4: Father was a Hip Hop DJ who took his own life
5: Has an addiction to collecting squished pennies
6: Stalked a pack of hyenas with a man carrying an AK47
7: Grew up going to the bathroom in an outhouse
8: Drove in five demolition derbies
9: High School all-state soccer player
10: Participated in Project M with John Bielenberg
11: First words, "no home"
12: Prefers dogs over cats
13: Favorite lunch is a bahn mi and iced coffee
1: Grew up off the grid with no running water
2: Has a gag reaction to raw tomatoes
3: Is the father of a baby girl named Acadia
4: Father was a Hip Hop DJ
5: Has an addiction to collecting squished pennies
6: Stalked a pack of hyenas with a man carrying an AK47
7: Grew up going to the bathroom in an outhouse
8: Drove in five demolition derbies
9: High School all-state soccer player
10: Participated in Project M with John Bielenberg
11: First words, "no home"
12: Prefers dogs over cats
13: Favorite lunch is a bahn mi and iced coffee
Our Collaborators
Anthony Dihle, Branding & Logo Designer
An artist first and foremost, Anthony’s intentional approach to design leads to branding that stands the test of time.
A graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Anthony began his career in graphic design at an architectural firm. Today, he is one of Washington, DC’s leading graphic designers. His range is expansive – from painting murals for vibrant local businesses to creating iconic visual identities for international NGOs. He is one of Iced Coffee, Please.’s longest running collaborators.
Stacey Simmons, Designer
A designer and developer seeking to positively impact her community, and society as a whole, through engaging design and user-friendly experiences.
Bracketmedia, WordPress Development Partner
Our preferred full stack, white label web development agency, Bracketmedia has partnered with Iced Coffee, Please. to build more than a dozen websites.
As a WordPress development company with more than 20 years of experience, Bracketmedia collaborates with agencies like ours to produce sites for clients big and small. Based in Buenos Aries, Bracketmedia has the same office hours as the East Coast of the U.S. and a robust team of bilingual project managers and developers.
Sarah Proper, Technical Lead
Bringing a passion for accessibility to code, Sarah brings 15 years of experience building websites for nonprofits, companies and small businesses.
Since building her first website at age 12, Sarah has been in love with designing and building for the web. She brings more than just years of code knowledge and web savvy; she delivers on her commitment to clean, reusable code that looks good and functions better.
Adam Garber, Filmmaker
Having filmed the Obamas for nearly 15 years, Adam has deep experience filming some of the most famous people on Earth. Much like Mrs. Obama and President Obama, Adam is today focused on telling the stories of mission driven organizations through evocative video and film.
Adam lives in Takoma Park with his multigenerational family, including his parents, his wife and two daughters.
Thomas Kelley, Video Producer
Thomas Kelley is a rapturous raconteur with vast experience in video production as a producer, director, editor, scriptwriter, and videographer. “TK” creates award-winning media content for a broad range of advocacy organizations, companies, celebrities, politicians, and campaigns in the US and around the world. The results speak for themselves with millions of views, motivated audiences, positive press coverage, and numerous client success stories.
Hannah Churn, Animator
Hannah is an illustrator, animator and director based in the Washington DC area. She, loves creating work that is fun, playful and whimsical. From a heartfelt moment, to laughing out loud - she enjoys crafting art that leaves someone with a smile. With over a decade of experience, Hannah has had the opportunity to work on projects at all parts of the pipeline.
Headquarters
Washington, DC
© 2024 Iced Coffee, Please.