So I have always been a junky for great quotes, and wanted to share some great quotes about Public Relations I had come across recently (Part 1 of 2):

–“Businesses used to have a small suggestion box near the door that mostly housed dust bunnies and an occasional piece of gum. Rarely would someone get back to you. But people can now make a post from an iPhone or a BlackBerry while they’re sitting in your restaurant. -Charles Nelson

–“The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity.” -George Carlin

–“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.” -Abraham Lincoln, quoted in R. Fitzhenry, The Fitzhenry & Whiteside Book of Quotations

–“All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.” -Harry S Truman

Owning a PR Agency, I can never get enough quotes about Public Relations – I enjoy it and like it so wanted to share them with you.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

Been a really tough day professionally. Received this message via an email list I subscribe to www.friendsofjeff.com which I joined at the urging of a client of ours who is on the Forbes 400 list.  Today was a day I really enjoyed it…

“Many people die at twenty five and aren’t buried until they are seventy five.”-  Benjamin Franklin

Do you remember the sense of awe and inspiration you felt with the world as a young child?  Perhaps you cannot remember simply because it has been forever and a day since you have felt that way.  In this case, observe the small child chasing butterflies or playing with an empty box.  They squeal for joy and entertain themselves for hours with such trivia that we say to ourselves, “I wish I could be that easily entertained!”  You might have outgrown the box and the butterflies, but life is still a daring pursuit and a hilarious adventure, if you will let it be so.

There are two things that will keep a person young and alive- the fire of a burning dream, and the ability to laugh at life. The dream that burns the brightest in my soul is for my message of optimism and hope to reach the world at large; for my suffering to have a positive reason for being.  If you’ve quit dreaming and quit laughing, you’ve quit living. Resurrect yourself. Rekindle the fire and laugh until it hurts. Otherwise, they might as well start shoveling the dirt on top of you now.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

I regularly host networking meetings at our midtown NYC PR agency. Not only do I thoroughly enjoy these gatherings, but they also continue to allow me to recognize how fascinating and successful our clients and acquaintances are.  Just yesterday, I hosted 22 CEO’s at the 5WPR offices for a 8 AM breakfast. Attendees included: the managing partner of a distressed real estate hedge fund, a cosmetic dentist, plastic surgeon, CEO of one of the largest kids’ brands in the world, head of a mobile commerce company, and celebrity attorney.

From these meetings, I am able to learn vital insight from fellow leaders about their professional successes and challenges. The next networking event our PR firm will host is on May 26th – we will have a special guest speaker – Lisa Oz, New York Times best-selling author, and wife of notable physician Dr. Mehmet Oz.

One of the most difficult tasks working at a PR agency is to understand many different businesses’.  Its important to keep your eyes open, and always search for more knowledge.  Whenever I travel, I visit the neighborhoods where people shop, and live as I find it’s the best way to study and recognize trends and consumer behavior.  I always ask the local cab driver to be my local city tour guide (and tomorrow am off on a 5-day business trip to Latin America, where I will visit stores, get a feel for the local shops, etc.)

Heard a great quote at networking meeting yesterday, and have adopted it as a new corporate rule at 5WPR: “No skunking.” (spraying negativity).

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

As an entrepreneur and the owner of a PR agency, I find it’s important to stay positive. It’s a continual struggle to balance demanding clients, staff and the media, but hard work and good people help me succeed—especially good people. The people I associate with personally and professionally provide me energy and focus, influencing my attitudes, actions and desire to succeed in a positive way. Its important for success.

In this week’s New York Magazine, there was a very interesting article on Lady Gaga and her climb to stardom.  I pulled two quotes to share with you that resonated with this Bronx born entrepreneur who owns a PR firm.

“I’m just a kid from NYC who decided to do this after all. Rule the world! What’s life worth living if you don’t rule it.” (I agree – work hard and focus. Never accept second best, and absolutely LOVE what you do.)

“I’m from New York. I will kill to get what I need.” (New Yorkers know how to win. We work hard and won’t accept anything less.  I believe what Lady Gaga said here was right on.)

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

I am still flying high from the news that 5WPR was named the 13th largest independent US PR agency for 2009 by ODwyers PR, a leading PR publication.  With over $11 million in revenue in its 7th year of operation, the agency continues to grow within the industry.

This honor ranks alongside 5W Public Relations being named to the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in the US, and being named fastest growing PR firm in the US 3 years running. It’s an absolute highlight for our company – Numbers and  results count.

On a personal note, 13 has always been my lucky number. It served as my jersey number from my beginnings as a little league player throughout my high school (and ongoing recreational) basketball career.

As always its been a crazy week:

I gave a lecture last night at NYU to a group of graduate students

I hosted a charity fundraiser with a friend and client this morning in my office.

Tonight, I am attending a client event where we are expecting 40+ Reporters

Since we were just named one of the 15 largest PR firms in the US, I wanted to reassert that we will keep growing, and continually realize that this is just the beginning for our company. Credit is due to our hard working staff and our clients for believing in us and being great partners.

I wanted to end with a quick quote:

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Bigger and better, onward and upward.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR