Michael Brito

Michael Brito is a Lecturer in Mass Communications and Social Media at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, College of Humanities and the Arts, San José State University. He is also a seasoned industry leader, currently serving as the Global Head of Data + Intelligence at Zeno Group, where he leads a 50-member analytics team supporting global clients in B2B, consumer, technology, and healthcare sectors. His academic and professional work bridges digital marketing, brand strategy, and data-driven communications.

Michael’s research interests include digital marketing, social media strategy, brand communications, narrative intelligence, audience segmentation, and AI applications in PR. He is a recognized thought leader with extensive publications and blog posts exploring brand archetypes, earned media, customer engagement, and the future of digital storytelling. His work emphasizes the integration of data analytics into strategic communications to enhance brand visibility and audience connection.

The trends in his recent articles reflect a strong focus on artificial intelligence in public relations, media intelligence, narrative analysis, and the evolution of digital customer journeys. His writings analyze tools like Pulsar and Cision, explore generative AI in search, and critique traditional metrics like earned media value, advocating for more sophisticated, insight-driven approaches.

• Top 50 Social Intelligence Pioneers by The Social Intelligence Lab
• Dashboard 25 Class of 2022 by PRWeek
• Top 25 Digital PR Innovators by PRovoke Media

Michael Brito mentors students in digital communications and advises on strategic brand development. He has led major initiatives in media monitoring, social intelligence, and data-informed PR outreach. He founded and contributes to a widely-read blog on social media marketing and is a frequent speaker at industry events, including TEDx. He is also a proud U.S. Marine veteran, bringing leadership and discipline to his academic and professional roles.

He is actively involved in the COMM+ lab at SJSU and supports student media through his teaching and mentorship. His work continues to influence both academic curricula and industry best practices in digital communications and brand analytics.