Read an interesting article in The New York Times regarding the positioning of major banks’ public statements during this tremendously difficult time. Anyone who doubts that spin exists at all levels should clearly read this. The conclusion of the article from a PR viewpoint is also noteworthy:

“If there are ways people in this room go to jail, it’s probably through crimes of upholstery — the cover-up will kill you,” Joseph A. Grundfest, a professor of law at Stanford University who is a former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said at a class for directors of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies which I attended in 2002 in the aftermath of Enron’s collapse.

Oftentimes, I see very public people in very senior financial positions at my gym, restaurants, and at events. You can see on their faces how incredibly difficult it is to be in the public arena and suddenly have the world watching your every move. I expect to see more analysis of how the banks are handling crisis communication in the coming weeks. Either way, this is certainly an interesting read in these very difficult financial times.

Ronn Torossian

5W PR

A friend and former colleague forwards a daily thought that I thought this AM on many fronts was apt to post to my blog and a good start to the week:

“You are stronger than anything standing in your way. Because you have a purpose that cannot be denied.  Often that purpose is difficult and inconvenient to follow. Yet it is never impossible to follow. There is always a way. If the path you’re on is blocked, look for another route, because it is surely there. You can be flexible, innovative, determined and persistent. You can imagine any possibility, and then work to make that possibility real. Every moment, every circumstance, every turn of events presents you with an opportunity to act. Take those opportunities, make those actions come to life, and express the purpose that is uniquely you. Step up and embrace the responsibility for moving your life forward. Whatever may come, there is always a way.” Ralph Marston

Ronn Torossian

5W PR

For as long as I can remember, first thing every morning, I always looked forward to opening the door, grabbing the newspapers and reading  them.  On this fall Sunday, I have spent the early morning thoroughly enjoying the Sunday New York Times.  Every week there is nothing that beats the Sunday Times.  From a story analyzing former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s day-to-day life to a Russian oligarch challenging the Kremlin, nearly every aspect of the paper is special and amazing.

As I have often said, to be successful in PR one must read — and read often – but I can’t see being anywhere in life and not reading regularly.

Ronn Torossian
5W PR

Name: Ronn Torossian
Location: NY, NY

Ronn Torossian is the Founder, President & CEO of New York City based 5W Public Relations. Since founding the firm, he has overseen the company’s rapid growth and expansion to the Los Angeles market, and provided advice and counsel to hundreds of companies, global interests, high-profile individuals, regional businesses, government agencies and academic institutions - both on routine public relations matters and extremely sensitive issues.

A nationally recognized expert in PR, Torossian is known for his aggressive, results focused orientation, and has close working relationships with members of the media, influencers, decision makers, politicians and celebrities. At 5W Public Relations, Torossian’s client experience includes overseeing public relations programs for Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, IHOP, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Evian, EDS, LA Gear, VeriSign, Seagram’s, The Loews Regency, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment, Marriott Hotels, Russ Berrie & Company, NICE Systems, Vail Resorts, Pamela Anderson, Snoop Dogg, the Government of Israel, Avenue Stores, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and others.

Earlier in his career, Torossian was a Vice President/Group Director for one of The InterPublic Group’s (IPG) largest PR agencies, where he was responsible for significant client growth and successful client programs, including work for Clinique, Fox News Channel, DHL, Hard Rock Café and others.

Referred to by The NY Post as a “publicity guru”, by Fox News as a “high-powered PR CEO”, by CNN as “a leading PR expert”, Torossian is regularly featured in and quoted by the media, including by CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, The New York Times, and others. CBS National News said “Ronn Torossian knows spin,” and a 2005 NY Times feature story on Torossian referred to him as “The consummate hard-driving, scrappy NY publicist.”

Torossian was named to Advertising Age’s 2006 “40 Under 40″ list, PR Week’s 2007 “40 Under 40″ List, is a regular lecturer at Universities and conferences, a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of numerous non-profit organizations.oard member of numerous non-profit organizations.