Welcome to our website. Mike Houlihan Creative (MHC) is a full service advertising, media relations, and production firm. We write and produce copy, campaigns, TV & radio commercials, feature films, and theatrical shows.

Mike Houlihan, Chicago’s triple threat writer, producer, and performer, founded MHC in 1991. Mike is a former features columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, a political campaign strategist, and award-winning producer of television and films. Please see Houli’s bio on this site for a more extensive biography of his 35-year career in communications.

MHC is a team of seasoned professional journalists, broadcast engineers, and editors. Among the awards garnered by our creatives are the Pulitzer Prize, The NY Drama Desk Award, Peter Lisagor Award, several Telly Awards, the International Television Association PHILO Award, and the National Council on Family Relations Media Award.

Our work is eclectic, ranging from national breaking news stories in print and electronic media to the Broadway stage and beyond. We are proudest of the relationships developed along the way by our team members. MHC media contacts traverse the arts, features, and business sections of daily newspapers, periodicals, and electronic media across the country.

MHC has been actively involved in winning several Illinois political campaigns, including city and countywide races, campaigns for State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Senate and House seats, and gubernatorial office.

MHC played a key role in developing and implementing Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) media strategy as they launched one of the most successful IPO’s in NYSE history. MHC influenced editors, reporters, and columnists during the CBOT merger with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), producing favorable media coverage locally and nationally in the Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Business Week.

MHC has also served as a media consultant to labor unions in the Chicago area including Local 130 Journeyman Plumbers and Local 21 Bricklayers Union. MHC worked closely with Local 21 in 2007 to promote and pass HB1495 in the Illinois Legislature, which the Governor signed into law as the Employee Classification Act.

In 2008 MHC will premiere our independent feature film “Tapioca”, starring Ben Vereen and Tim Kazurinsky on the film festival circuit. (www.TapiocaTheMovie.com)

MHC continues to nurture and expand our personal relationships within the media community. We are dedicated to shaping our clients ideas and dreams into the headlines and industry of tomorrow. Please call us to discuss how we can help you.