PR Masters Series

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Scott Allison, Co-Founder, Global Chairman & CEO, Allison + Partners.

 

 

About Our Guest

Scott is global chairman and CEO of one of the fastest-growing global communications firms in the industry. Known for its unique culture, Scott founded Allison+Partners with a vision to build a positive and entrepreneurial environment where talented people at all levels could do great work and thrive.

Scott oversees the firm’s Global Board, while continuing to provide communications counsel to many high-profile executives and clients. He is an expert in issues management and crisis communications; presentation and media training; and is regularly called upon to speak about issues facing the public relations industry. Prior to founding Allison+Partners, Scott was the West Coast president of Connors Communications and a senior vice president and partner at The Gable Group.

Scott is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and serves on the advisory board for ISOThrive, The Fraternity and the Church of the Resurrection. He is a recipient of the Monty Award given to San Diego State University alumni and was a finalist for both the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® and the American Business Award’s Communications Executive of the Year. A patron of San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, Scott provided a founding gift to the Glen M. Broom Center for Professional Development in Public Relations and funds a scholarship that supports internship opportunities for students.

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Ron Culp, PRAD Professional in Residence, Instructor and Professional Director, Graduate Professional Program Director - Public Relations and Advertising at DePaul.

 

 

About Our Guest

Prior to joining DePaul and becoming an independent public relations consultant, Ron Culp held senior public relations positions at four Fortune 500 corporations and two major agencies. Ron’s career spans a broad range of communications responsibilities in government and industry sectors including business-to-business, consumer products, pharmaceutical and retailing.

Ron’s two agency stints include being partner and managing director of Ketchum’s Midwest offices and head of the agency’s North American Corporate Practice. Prior to Ketchum, he opened and served as managing director of the Chicago office of Sard Verbinnen and Company, a leading financial communications firm.

Previously, Ron was a corporate officer and senior vice president, public relations and government affairs, at Sears. During his Sears career, Ron managed internal and external communications, marketing public relations support, state and federal government affairs, community relations and the Sears-Roebuck Foundation. Earlier in his corporate career, he held senior communications positions at Sara Lee Corporation, Pitney Bowes and Eli Lilly.

Following graduation from Indiana State, Ron began his career as a reporter for The Columbus (Ind.) Republic before moving to the New York State Assembly where he served as director of member services (the public relations support unit) under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Ron is active in several civic organizations including the Economic Club of Chicago where he is a former board member and past vice chair. Culp serves on the board of Gilda’s Club Chicago, Public Relations Museum and Library, PRSA Foundation, Indiana State Foundation and the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, which he also chaired for five years. He was listed in Crain's "Who in Chicago Business" from 2009 to 2017.

Culp is the only individual to receive both the Distinguished Service Award and the Hall of Fame Award from the Arthur W. Page Society, which is comprised of senior communication professionals, agency heads and leading academics. In 2011 he was honored with the John W. Hill Award by the New York Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and a year later he received the PR Professional of the Year from the Chicago chapter of PRSA. He also is featured in the PRSSA book, “Legacies from Legends in Public Relations” (2007) and was named to the PR News Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2012, Ron received the David Ferguson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Relations Education by a Practitioner, and in 2017 he received PRSA's Gold Anvil, the organization's lifetime achievement award.

Ron and his DePaul colleague Matt Ragas are co-authors of a business basics book for PR professionals entitled “Business Essentials for Strategic Communicators” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014) and they jointly edited "Mastering Business for Strategic Communicators" (Emerald, 2018). Also in 2018, Ron compiled and edited an eBook entitled, "The New Rules of Crisis Management."

Ron and his wife, Sandra, fund a scholarship at their alma mater, Indiana State, for first-generation college students. In addition, Ron sponsors an annual PRSSA scholarship for student mentors.

Visit Ron's career blog, Culpwrit,

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Dick Martin, Author, "Marilyn: A Woman In Charge."

 

 

About Our Guest

Dick Martin writes about public relations, marketing, and ethics. He has authored four books for the American Management Association and articles for such publications as the Harvard Business Review, Chief Executive, and the Journal of Business Strategy. Capping a 33-year career with AT&T, from 1997 to 2003, he was Chairman of the AT&T Foundation and executive vice president responsible for the company’s public relations, employee communications and brand management worldwide. The Holmes Report called his first book, Tough Calls, one of the 5 best PR books published in the first decade of the 21st century and “by far the best book about the realities of working in corporate communications for a large American corporation.”

He is a frequent speaker to business groups and has conducted ethics workshops for the Institute of Public Relations, the Arthur Page Society, Rutgers University, and other organizations. He co-authored Public Relations Ethics: How To Practice PR Without Losing Your Soul, with Donald K. Wright, chair of the public relations department of Boston University’s College of Communications.

Most recently he wrote a biography of Marilyn Laurie, his predecessor at AT&T and the first woman to become a policy-making officer at a Fortune 10 company. Marilyn: A Woman In Charge will be published by the PR Museum Press on September 8, 2020. Martin  was one of the first recipients of the Arthur W. Page Center’s Award for Integrity in Public Communication.

Overview The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Dick Martin, Author, “Marilyn:…

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Denise Hill, Ph.D., APR Assistant Professor Elon University School of Communications.

 

 

About Our Guest

Denise Hill is an assistant professor at Elon University’s School of Communications, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in strategic communications. Dr. Hill is a former chief communications officer with more than 30 years of corporate communications and public relations agency experience. 

Before joining Elon University, Dr. Hill was vice president of corporate communications and public relations at Delhaize America, the U.S. operation of global Fortune 500 grocery retailer Delhaize Group. She previously held chief communication officer positions at Quest Diagnostics and a business unit of Wyndham Worldwide. In addition, she served as a vice president of communication at Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Cigna. She started her career at a Carl Byoir/Hill+Knowlton public relations agency in Philadelphia. 

In addition to her Elon University teaching experience, Dr. Hill was an adjunct instructor of corporate communications and public relations at New York University. She also taught communications at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in communications from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic research focuses on public relations and social change, how public relations was used to help marginalized groups in the United States gain civil rights, and African American public relations pioneers. 

Dr. Hill is a member of the board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America. In addition, she is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, where she serves on the new member liaison subcommittee. Dr. Hill is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the American Journalism Historians Association, and an advisory board member of The Museum of Public Relations. She also serves on APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council as a member of its Corporate Communications Strategies subgroup. Dr. Hill serves on the board of directors of Easterseals of North Carolina and Virginia, and she chairs the organization’s development and communications committee. She is a former member of The Seminar, the premier organization of chief communication officers. She also is a former member of The Executive Leadership Council, the preeminent organization of African American business executives.

Overview The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Denise Hill, Ph.D.,…

Overview The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Jeff Winton, Founder…

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Jeff Winton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Winton Associates.

 

 

About Our Guest

Jeff Winton established Jeff Winton Associates, a full-service communications agency, in February 2020 after a four-decade communications and corporate affairs career with leading corporations and respected public relations and advertising agencies. Jeff’s global experience spans highly diverse and dynamic industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, agricultural, consumer healthcare and consumer products.

Jeff previously served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Alkermes plc, where he created and led a new function that encompassed corporate brand and reputation; corporate, product, internal, sales and R&D communications; patient advocacy; corporate social responsibility; and corporate events. Prior to this role, Jeff was Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Astellas Pharma and responsible for building and evolving the company’s corporate affairs function to better support its strategic priorities.

Earlier in his career, Jeff held global communications leadership positions at Eli Lilly and Company, Pharmacia Corporation (until it was acquired by Pfizer Inc.) and Schering-Plough Corporation (until it was acquired by Merck & Co, Inc.).

Jeff has received several prestigious industry awards throughout his career, including the 2017 Plank Center John Koten Corporate Mentor Award, the first annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy Excellence in Public Relations Award and the 2015 Chicago Skyline PRSA Professional of the Year Award. He is active in several professional organizations, including PRSA, The Seminar and Arthur W. Page Society. Jeff also serves on the board of advisors for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations.

Jeff graduated with distinction from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and currently serves on its Dean’s Advisory Council. Additionally, Jeff completed graduate level courses at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

An avid equestrian who competes in several competitions across the country each year, Jeff belongs to several professional equestrian organizations.

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Jeff Winton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Winton Associates.

 

 

About Our Guest

Jeff Winton established Jeff Winton Associates, a full-service communications agency, in February 2020 after a four-decade communications and corporate affairs career with leading corporations and respected public relations and advertising agencies. Jeff’s global experience spans highly diverse and dynamic industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, animal health, agricultural, consumer healthcare and consumer products.

Jeff previously served as Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Alkermes plc, where he created and led a new function that encompassed corporate brand and reputation; corporate, product, internal, sales and R&D communications; patient advocacy; corporate social responsibility; and corporate events. Prior to this role, Jeff was Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Astellas Pharma and responsible for building and evolving the company’s corporate affairs function to better support its strategic priorities.

Earlier in his career, Jeff held global communications leadership positions at Eli Lilly and Company, Pharmacia Corporation (until it was acquired by Pfizer Inc.) and Schering-Plough Corporation (until it was acquired by Merck & Co, Inc.).

Jeff has received several prestigious industry awards throughout his career, including the 2017 Plank Center John Koten Corporate Mentor Award, the first annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Health Academy Excellence in Public Relations Award and the 2015 Chicago Skyline PRSA Professional of the Year Award. He is active in several professional organizations, including PRSA, The Seminar and Arthur W. Page Society. Jeff also serves on the board of advisors for The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations.

Jeff graduated with distinction from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and currently serves on its Dean’s Advisory Council. Additionally, Jeff completed graduate level courses at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

An avid equestrian who competes in several competitions across the country each year, Jeff belongs to several professional equestrian organizations.

Overview

The Stevens Group has been presenting the PR Masters Series Podcast for almost two years now.  This series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR,digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.  Today’s special guest is Michael C. Lasky, Partner / Co-Chair Litigation; Public Relations Law at Davis & Gilbert LLP.

 

 

About Our Guest

Michael C. Lasky is a partner at the New York City law firm of Davis & Gilbert LLP. Mr. Lasky is founder and chair of the firm’s Public Relations Law Practice Group, the only practice group in the country devoted to meeting the legal needs of public relations and marketing communications firms. The practice includes attorneys with deep industry and legal expertise needed to run a successful firm -- employment, executive benefits, intellectual property, new media, and marketing law, corporate, M&A, real estate and litigation. 

Mr. Lasky is   proud to represent many of the fastest growing independent public relations firms.  Mr. Lasky and his colleagues work closely with their clients to design strategies, programs, and agreements to enhance profitability and growth.  He prides himself on his ability to counsel clients to help them achieve their business objectives and implement best practices in legal and risk management. 

Mr. Lasky is also co-chair of Davis & Gilbert’s litigation department, where he devotes a significant portion of his practice to advising executives and owners of service sector companies on their employment, shareholder and incentive compensation arrangements and disputes. He also is regarded as an expert in the areas of restrictive covenants and the movement of talent between competitive organizations. 

Mr. Lasky often collaborates with leading industry trade associations, including The Arthur Page Society (for which he serves as legal counsel), the American Marketing Association and the Public Relations Society of America. He serves as legal counsel to the PR Council (formerly known as the Council of PR Firms) and has done so since its inception in 1998. In addition, Mr. Lasky is widely recognized as a thought leader in the marketing communications and public relations industry, working with clients to implement best practices throughout their organizations, both anticipating and responding to the legal and business changes affecting the industry.  

Mr. Lasky is an honors graduate of Rutgers College and Rutgers University School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Rutgers University Law Review.  He is a member of the Law School’s Alumni Board of Trustees, the Dean’s Advisory Council. He also serves on boards of a host of other professional, educational and charitable organizations, including Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, the leading legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists, and cultural institutions.