Some recent media coverage on the Public Relations industry which I found interesting:

Carl Icahn, the legendary business investor is trying to buy a company and in doing so has blasted the company’s “PR Machine and Board.” He goes on to say – “I tell you this not to boast but in the hope that you will take very seriously what I have to say about CVR and ignore the distortions disseminated by CVR and its PR firm.”

What a badge of honor for the PR firm.  They are pushing their clients’ interest so aggressively that Icahn, who is opposed to their current client is upset. It’s a major compliment and I say kudos to whoever is representing CVR.

The Wayne, NJ School system has hired a public relations firm “to better expedite and facilitate all of its media inquiries” for the grand total of $2,500 per month for a 3 month period – And that’s worthy of a feature story in the Bergen Record? If one extra teacher is recruited, if one extra positive story placed which results in additional government funding (or a private donation), if say 100 less complaints come from parents because a PR pro communicated properly is that not money well spent ? Why is it that hiring accountants, lawyers, and other professional service executives is OK but PR is always the evil step-child? Tired of it – and over $2,500 per month?

Although I must say it’s rather ironic that the Chairman of the PRSA is the one being questioned in the media as he was hired by the Wayne School District. The PRSA has been clapping themselves on the back about all of their work defining public relations, and as I have written “I think PRSA and the other organizations advocating for PR should be speaking to potential clients for our industry rather than taking 1,447 votes from people who work at PR Agencies, or 947 definitions from PR firm staffers.”

 

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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.