I am a lifelong New Yorker – Born and bred in this great city.  I love New York. I have never seen devastation like that which Hurricane Sandy has brought us – There isn’t anyone who doesn’t know someone who was affected in a major way by this catastrophe. This city is struggling and the effects of the Hurricane will be felt for a long time to come – many don’t have electricity, lost their homes and we are all feeling the effects.

The images the world sees of the city that never sleeps? Below 34th street is dark – no power or water.  Subways are still far from functioning, and people are traveling hours to get to work. At 5WPR like many others, we are working from home – due to the crane teetering high above 57th Street due to the developers’ negligence we can’t enter our office temporarily.  This city is tough – and will recover.

On that note, it’s an absolute Public Relations disaster to host a marathon this weekend as Mayor Bloomberg has said now NYC will.  This is no time for a parade or a marathon – Should police and city resources be diverted in any way from getting life back to normal? Do we need traffic blocked at these times and our resources strained?

I am an athlete who runs nearly every day – and sport is indeed a needed distraction at times. But, now isn’t the time.

New York City is the greatest city in the world and will recover, but there are many obstacles we still need to overcome.

 

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Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.