Laura Orrico, President
Born with impeccable communication skills and a natural ability for connecting people, Laura has created a number of success stories with her abilities to network. A TV movie was made from her connecting a producer and screenwriter, the career of an artist took off after she connected him with a producer which led to his career in major motion pictures, a young graduate began his career after she connected him with a famous Internet sensation/political figure, and she connected a legal organization with a celebrity comedian to emcee their annual gala. Her expertise in media relations, social media, creative writing, strategic PR planning and management, image maintenance, consulting and development, media preparation, and interview coaching and networking for clients are what have launched Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC into a sought-after boutique PR firm for high-profile clients.
Laura was born and raised in Chicago and has made a name for herself as an actress in television and film, and now as a public relations expert. During her childhood, Laura spent many days performing her own Saturday Night Live-style skits in her backyard for family. She attributes her strength to her mother, who also has a wicked sense of humor! Laura also credits her sense of humor to her father, who passed away when she was 9. Laura went to Columbia College of Chicago and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Television Writing and Producing, with a minor in Acting. Continuing with her love of the entertainment industry - and idolizing the likes of Lucille Ball, John Ritter, Gene Wilder, and Gilda Radner - she began attending classes and performing at The Second City Chicago. She credits this experience as what led to much of her success. With this, she also began runway and print modeling, as well as appearing in TV commercials. Wanting to take her career to the next level, Laura made the move from Chicago to Los Angeles where she would reside for 12 years. She quickly found success with a variety of films and television shows, with roles on: The King of Queens, That '70s Show, and a memorable role as Mia Graham on CBS’s CSI: Miami. She then continued honing her comedic prowess by becoming a series regular on TBS's Frank TV with Frank Caliendo. Her sense of humor also found fame on the Internet, as her self-produced videos went viral and she was often featured on top notch programming, including Will Ferrell's Funny or Die. Her most successful Internet sketch was developed by Airplane! director, David Zucker. It starred Laura, who was aged 40 years to play Senator Barbara Boxer, in a video titled "Call Me Senator". You can still catch Laura making special guest appearances on network TV, like her recent appearance on CBS's Kevin Can Wait. You can also see Laura in another soon-to-be-released Internet spoof by David Zucker and occasionally on Chicago’s WGN Morning News comedy sketches! Gracing headlines and talk shows, you may recognize her from being featured in Hollywood.com, Hollywood In Toto, mentioned in Vanity Fair and from appearances on shows such as Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld and a regular guest on multiple radio shows across the country to name a few.
Laura shifted focus from actress to caregiver after her husband, Ryan Cosgrove, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After losing Ryan in 2015, Laura decided to utilize the knowledge she gained from her own life experiences. This included successfully executing PR for herself and colleagues for many years prior, which eventually led to launching her own boutique PR firm. Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC is based out of Chicago, with Laura serving as the president and representing high-profile clients across the country. Whether a large or small business or organization, an up-and-coming or established entertainer, celebrity, musician, artist, politician, or author, Laura and her team customize their work and connect clients with the proper outlets to get them notoriety and the (media) attention that they deserve. Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC continues to be a huge success. Laura continues to make appearances on the radio and makes headlines in various publications, such as Forbes, American Express Open, AXS, Hearpreneur, The American Genius etc., giving her expert advice.
Taylor Leddin, Lead PR Associate
With a background in journalism, communication, and the entertainment industry, Taylor Leddin brings a number of perspectives to the public relations table. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Taylor was a very inquisitive child who spent her time doting over movies, music, and books. Flash forward to the present where Taylor has taken her love of entertainment, experience in public relations and media, and has coupled it with her passion for writing to create a career centered around those ideas.
During college, Taylor was introduced to the entertainment industry by working on set of various television shows filmed in Chicago, including playing a patient on FOX's The Mob Doctor. She wasn't bitten by the acting bug as she had anticipated, but rather by the writing bug. She wrote a play, that she turned into a short story, which would eventually be published in a highly-accredited anthology. She would soon after get her foot in the door of journalism by beginning to write for a variety of notable publications across the country. With her love of writing becoming solidified, Taylor then declared interpersonal communication as her major at Illinois State University. During her time at ISU, she worked as a copy editor and news reporter at the university's paper, The Vidette.
Taylor has also gained a great deal of social media experience, which began in college. She held a social media internship for two lifestyle publications and was successful at increasing website traffic up to 300 percent. Following graduation, she held social media positions for different entertainment/celebrity-based conventions (one of these positions was offered to Taylor based on her use of humor with her personal social media presence.) Now, after years of working in the entertainment industry, finding success as a freelance writer/journalist, and working with a Chicago-based PR firm, Taylor serves as the lead Public Relations Associate for Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC. She brings to the table expertise in social media, branding, creative writing, media placement, and PR image consulting. Taylor was a featured guest on The 15 Minute Break Podcast with Matthew Patrick Torres, and recently appeared in USA Today, Health Monitor Magazine, and Thrive Global.
Anastasiya Kaspruk – Intern for Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC
At the mere age of six, Anastasiya and her family immigrated from Ukraine to the land of opportunity. Her family settled in New Jersey where Anastasiya continued to engage with the Ukrainian Community. Anastasiya’s parents were adamant about her and her sister speaking Ukrainian in the household, which later she was thankful for. Today Anastasiya speaks four languages and continues to learn more.
During her summers, Anastasiya spent her time as a counselor at the Roma Pryma Bohachevsky Ukrainian Dance Academy at the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in New York. Through hard work and dedication, she was given a lead role in “The Sleeping Beauty” ballet presentation in 2013 and was named Miss Soyuzivka 2019. Through her adolescent career, Anastasiya had the pleasure of dancing with Barvinok Dance Ensemble, Iskra Academy School of Dance, and Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Company in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Canada and even Ukraine! Her passion for being on stage grew and she also started singing and playing piano at different Ukrainian Festivals.
At 18, Anastasiya decided to move to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University. While at Duquesne, Anastasiya made Dean’s List, was awarded the Duquesne University Academic Scholarship and was nominated for 2017 President of the Year award. She has a strong leadership presence at Duquesne and has been involved with various organizations. She was involved with the Student Executive Leadership Council, President of The Professional Fraternity Council, President of The National Society of Leadership and Success, Secretary of The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, an active member in Kappa Epsilon, and inducted into The National Communication Association Honor Society. For four years, Anastasiya had the pleasure of performing with the longest-running multicultural song and dance company in the United States – The Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans are dedicated to perpetuating international cultural heritage through entertaining performances around America and Canada – all while awarding scholarships to talented and deserving students attending a Pittsburgh-based school.
Anastasiya was an internal transfer from the Pharmacy program and was felt she was never able to find her true calling within that field. She wanted to expand her experience and education, and was welcomed with open arms into the communication department at Duquesne. She then worked diligently to find the perfect internship in public relations.
Anastasiya says, "I enjoy working with the dedicated, energetic and driven women behind Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC. I'm grateful for this opportunity and am eager to learn new skills while bringing my creative thinking abilities to the table." Anastasiya will be graduating from Duquesne University in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies. She finally learned that she has a love for being in a field that includes connecting with people and helping those around her.
