It’s Time to Get You Trending
Chris Russo ’15 launched a marketing agency at the start of the pandemic.
January 2023
For Chris Russo ’15, Founder and CEO of marketing agency Russo Strategic Partners, success in life connects to some of his first experiences at Browning. “I learned early on that you’re not going to get very far if you don’t put in the work— and as an entrepreneur now, I understand that the amount of effort you put into something is directly related to what you’ll get out of it.”
Chris, who entered in Grade 9, says Browning impressed him with its small community and college guidance program. “Mr. Pelz’s fervor for guiding students towards the best college experience was amazing,” he says, adding, “There was never an opportunity that was out of my reach. The faculty treated me like an adult and a gentleman, which really impacted the way that I felt about school.”
Describing transformative extracurricular experiences on the Green Team and as editor in chief of the Grytte, Chris has fond memories of the clubs’ advisors, former science chair Emilie Wolf and Jeremy Katz ’04, respectively. While interviewing Honorary Trustee Jim Chanos for a Grytte feature, Russo recalls, “He flipped the script and took a really genuine interest in me and gave me lots of advice. I remember feeling so grateful that someone on the Board of Trustees would be so generous with their time.”
As an editor of Browning’s Grytte newspaper, Chris had the opportunity to interview Honorary Trustee Jim Chanos.
Chris served as a student leader of Browning’s Green Team, which raised awareness and funds for eco-sustainable causes.
A marketing and communications major at Boston College, Chris started the Boston College Media Alumni Network in his senior year as a way to build the community of alumni in that industry. With over 1,000 members, the group provides educational and networking opportunities. Chris launched his marketing agency, Russo Strategic Partners, at the start of COVID-19. Among its signature projects is a podcast by MuddHouse Media created in partnership with Silverstein Properties called Top of the World: Lessons from Rebuilding the World Trade Center, which chronicles the 20-year rebuilding story of New York’s World Trade Center. “While the World Trade Center has been featured in documentaries and magazine spreads, it’s never been done in a podcast form. And it felt so right with the boom in podcasting to tell this story in that way,” Chris says.
His agency also represents Tamsen Fadal, a news anchor on New York City’s PIX-11. Chris worked with her to launch the podcast Coming Up Next, and suggested she join TikTok, where her following grew exponentially. “She’s been featured in Forbes and Oprah Daily and Bloomberg as a menopause TikTok influencer. You might not expect a 25-year-old guy to be coaching a 51-year-old woman on how to talk about menopause on TikTok, but here we are,” Chris says.
@tamsenfadal This is how I survive as a woman over 50! Throwing it back to this video from earlier this year. What do you to THRIVE over 50? #womenover50 #50pluswomen #50plusontiktok #50plusandfabulous #over50 #tamsenfadal ♬ I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
Chris has worked with clients that include Tamsen Fadal, journalist and anchor for PIX11 News, whom he’s helped make an impact on TikTok.
As Chris continues to grow his business, his advice for other young alums and Upper School students is to continue making connections. “Even if you’re still in school, maybe you can share an article that you found helpful or insightful and give your take on it on LinkedIn. My number one piece of advice is to not be afraid to put yourself out there.”
The brand advisor and marketing strategist also noted that Browning’s small community and emphasis on relationships has been pivotal in developing his client base. “Part of my business now involves strategic partnerships, where I bring together businesses, creators, and brands for different campaigns, and I honed the skills that allow me to do that at Browning.”
