Dr. Michael L. Counter, Jr., is a storyteller and entrepreneur with an innate pulse on the ebb and flow of brands and culture.He currently serves as the inaugural Vice President, Head of Branded Entertainment and Strategic Partnerships at Al Roker Entertainment (ARE) where he oversees the company’s development and execution of brand-funded and brand-led scripted and unscripted content, experiences, and partnerships. He leverages ARE IP toward brand collaboration, as well as, manages the company’s talent and partner network.Dr. Counter is also the founder of the consultancy Counter Culture where he produces culture-driven collaborations that propel growth and engagement for a portfolio of agencies and companies spanning the Americas, London to Tokyo, Africa and Australia. He’s orchestrated campaigns and partnerships that drive and harness change for established and emerging brands, leaving an indelible mark in the pages of VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar, Rolling Stone and stages like New York Fashion Week and the United Nations General Assembly.Counter is a decorated United States Air Force veteran with an interdisciplinary research doctorate from Southern Methodist University’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development.