Every year, PR agencies wait for The Holmes Report to issue their annual report card, a profile on the leading public relations consulting firms in the US, Europe and Asia. It is written by “Editor Paul Holmes, based on interviews with the firms themselves, published information, a review of the firm’s work (where possible) and discussions with clients and other industry experts. They are designed to provide prospective clients and employees with some insights into the character, strengths and specialized capabilities of each firm.” (As quoted from Holmes website)

I am quite pleased with 5WPR’s review in the just released 2010 Agency Report card:

“The firm is known for its competitiveness (which manifests itself in new business devel­opment), hunger (its read-and-react initiative means staffers read relevant media on a daily basis, looking for potential news hooks and opportunities to showcase clients), creativ­ity (the ability to tap into urban and popular culture that older firms seem barely aware of), and formidable media relations expertise (the ability to deliver traditional top-tier coverage, particularly in New York, supplemented more recently by fast-growing digital capabilities).”

Basically, there is no firm more competitive, hungry or creative than us.  It’s absolutely true and I am glad the industry recognizes it. We see trends which most firms are unaware of and we have very strong success combining traditional media coverage with full scale digital capabilities.

The Report continues: “5W Public Relations has been among the most aggressive and fastest-growing public relations firms in the nation over the past five years, quickly establishing itself among the top 25 independents in the United States after just seven years in business and earning founder Ronn Torossian—who is still only 35 years old, a generation younger than many of his competitors in the New York marketplace—a reputation as one of the most outspoken crit­ics of “business as usual” in the PR industry.”

“While the firm has attracted attention for its work with clients from outside the mainstream—from high-profile evangelicals to rap stars to Israeli politicians—the bulk of its business can be divided into fairly traditional practice areas: consumer brands (including Barnesandnoble.com, Evian, Cookie Diet and Proximo Spirits) with expertise in reaching moms and the youth market; corporate communications (clients include Tzell Travel, Snackable Media, Smartonline, Urban Retail Properties) with sub-specialties in real estate and litigation communications; technology marketing (Predicto.com, Juju.com and Caivis Corporation); travel and hospitality (El Al Airlines); food and beverage (Whole Foods Market, The Chocolate Show, and Anheuser Busch were clients in 2009); and health and beauty, perhaps the fastest-growing division, with a client roster that includes physicians, plastic surgeons, alternative health centers, psychologists, and a broad spectrum of health services companies and organizations.”

Strong client relationships are what determine our value and throughout the years, our clients remain to be the best ambassadors of the firm. Gil Lemel, CEO of BornFree (all-natural baby products), says: “They deliver, think in business terms and are part of our team. They are focused, hard-working, understand the media, our product, and all aspects of our target markets – From reaching moms to communicating with retailers, social media or potential crisis PR issues, we rely on their counsel and hard work.”

From recognizing our reputation that “business as usual” in the PR industry can no longer succeed, to being a generation (or more) younger than our competitors, this report really hit the nail on the head.

5WPR is a different agency – We are a full service PR & marketing agency which builds our clients’ brands and are excited for 2011.

Thanks to Paul Holmes and his staff at the Holmes Report for the 2010 report card.

Ronn Torossian

5WPR

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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.