The Portland-based firm welcomes Associate Creative Director Andy Thorington; Advertising veteran Russell Leonard to serve as strategic advisor
PORTLAND – Broadreach Public Relations announced an expansion of its integrated communications and marketing capabilities with the addition of veteran creative leader Andy Thorington as associate creative director and longtime advertising executive Russell Leonard as strategic advisor.
The move strengthens Broadreach’s in-house capabilities in creative design, branding, advertising, multimedia storytelling, photography, video and digital marketing while expanding the firm’s ability to deliver fully integrated campaigns across paid, earned, shared and owned media.
Thorington joins Broadreach after more than 20 years with NL Partners, a Portland-based advertising agency, where he led creative work for organizations across New England spanning branding, advertising, photography, video, and digital campaigns. A graduate of the Maine College of Art & Design, Thorington has worked with a wide range of public, private, and nonprofit organizations throughout his career.
Leonard, president and CEO of NL Partners, is transitioning into retirement and will continue supporting clients and strategic initiatives through an advisory role with Broadreach.
“Clients today need communications, marketing, creative, and digital strategy working together — not in silos,” Linda Varrell, founder and president of Broadreach Public Relations, said. “Organizations are navigating an environment where credibility, visibility, and audience engagement are increasingly interconnected across media, digital, creative, and emerging AI-driven platforms. Andy and Russ strengthen our ability to help clients communicate clearly, build credibility and connect with audiences across every channel.”
Leonard’s transition marks the close of a remarkable chapter in Maine’s creative and advertising community. Under Leonard’s leadership, NL Partners grew into one of the region’s most respected agencies, known for its strategic campaigns, creative excellence, and enduring client relationships across the region. The agency built an impressive roster of clients that included the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, Aroma Joe’s, Subway and Portland Water District, among many others, and earned widespread recognition for its work — including more than ten Broderson Awards for Creative Excellence and a Maine PR Council Golden Arrow.
“NL Partners has been a meaningful chapter in my career, and I am proud of what we’ve built,” Leonard said. “Broadreach has been a valued collaborator for years, so joining their team feels like a natural next step. This is also the right fit for Andy – giving our clients confidence that we can work together in a more integrated way.”
Broadreach and NL Partners have collaborated on campaigns and client initiatives for more than a decade, creating a strong strategic foundation for this expanded relationship and seamless continuity for clients.
Founded in 2007, Broadreach Public Relations is a women-owned, award-winning strategic communications firm located on Portland’s historic waterfront. Broadreach runs on the Entrepreneurial Operation System and has partnered with over 350 businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits to deliver creative strategies, effective storytelling, and measurable results for more than 450 projects. The firm, consisting of ten employees, has earned 75-plus local and national industry awards. We take pride in helping clients build their credibility, raise their profile and expand their reach. Learn more at www.broadreachpr.com.