Goff & Howard

Mike Zipko, a principal at Goff & Howard, helps clients plan successful public relations strategies and work effectively with the media, government officials, community groups, and others.

Drawing on seven years of television newsroom experience, Mike has strong connections with Twin Cities media that he uses to help clients identify and work with the right media outlets and contacts. Mike also helps clients understand social media and integrate new communication technologies into their existing efforts. He has helped launch and maintain social media communications campaigns that integrate Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other channels.

In addition to his public relations expertise, Mike has a strong public affairs background, having worked for a number of state and local public officials and political campaigns at the local, county and state levels.

Mike was recently honored with the National Guard's Civilian Award for Excellence for his work with Serving Our Troops, a local nonprofit that organizes events to recognize and support members of the Minnesota National Guard and their families. He has helped coordinate media relations efforts for the organization's seven domestic and international missions.

Mike has been instrumental in launching On Board Midwest's social media campaign. Through consistent and strategic Facebook, Twitter, blog and YouTube activity, he helps On Board Midwest promote high-speed rail along the Mississippi River Route and build a groundswell of support for the project.

When Saint Paul hosted the Republican National Convention (RNC) in 2008, Mike provided strategic communications guidance to the Minneapolis and Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, the City of Saint Paul, and the Saint Paul Police Department. He helped coordinate media relations for these organizations throughout the convention, working daily with local, national and international media.

Mike also worked closely with Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) to help the organization strategically resolve key challenges related to the Central Corridor that could potentially impact its Saint Paul broadcast facility and two nearby churches.

Before coming to Goff & Howard, Mike spent seven years in television news, working as a dispatcher, field producer, assignment editor, and off-air reporter. He developed topics, interviewed contacts, wrote and edited stories for several newscasts, and helped manage daily news gathering operations. Through his broadcast background, Mike has developed and maintained relationships with reporters and editors.

He has also served in several capacities for elected officials, including as deputy press secretary for Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson, deputy communications director for Governor-elect Jesse Ventura's transition office, and press secretary for Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman.

Mike currently serves on the Midway Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee. He has been a member of several working groups associated with these boards, including the Economic Development Committee, the Sports Facilities Task Force, the Ballpark Media Task Force, the Communications Committee, and the Minnesota Twins Task Force. Previously, he served on the boards for the Saint Paul Heritage and Festival Foundation and the Twin Cities Academy Foundation.

Mike attended Saint Thomas University in Saint Paul. In his free time, he enjoys following pop culture, raising his four horses, trout fishing, and cheering for the Minnesota Twins. He also spends several days each year in total silence by attending a Jesuit silent retreat at the Demontreville Retreat House.