A Great Disappointment or a Blessing in Disguise?

Everyone has highs and lows in the world of PR.  Someone else gets that dream internship, or a new business deal falls short.  When you work hard at something and it still is considered a failure, it is hard to pull yourself up and try again.  It is extremely easy to let disappointments affect you and dictate your next move.  I was surprised when I discovered that Dan Edelman himself suffered a major disappointment in 1984. 

In the 1980s, there was a race for Asia and Dan wanted to win.  Many other large agencies had already established a presence in the Asian markets and Dan felt that a partnership with Hakuhodo, based in Tokyo, would serve as his winning ticket.  Edelman referred business to Hakuhodo, but very little business was referred to Edelman in return.  Dan called it “one of the great disappointments” in his career.  Dan also tried to launch an Edelman office in Tokyo, but couldn’t find a suitable space and within a few years had to close the office.  It seemed that Tokyo was not going to work out for Edelman and Dan was going to lose the race for Asia.

However, not all hope was lost.  Dan was contacted by Serge Dumont of Interasia Communications and the rest is history.  Dan purchased Interasia and became the leading public relations firm in China.  Edelman gained prominent clients such as KFC and Procter & Gamble through this acquisition.  By the mid-1990s, one-third of all agency revenues originated from business abroad.  Not only did Dan win the Asia race, but Edelman also expanded to Ireland and Canada, not to mention expanding business within the US as well.

For Dan, what seemed to be a disappointment turned into a blessing.  If business in Tokyo had gone smoothly, Edelman might not have acquired the China business and might not possess the global PR presence that is has today.  It is inspiring to discover that even Dan Edelman, the “father of modern public relations,” suffered disappointments just as we all do.  He chose to accept his disappointments and persevere.  We should take note and not let a disappointment be a failure, but let it act as a stepping stone towards the next chapter in your career.   They say everything happens for a reason.  I believe this.  Just look at Dan Edelman; he was proof.  

Colleen Baker is a junior at DePaul University studying Public Relations & Advertising and Communications & Media Studies.  She currently manages the website and all social media for Seward Sales Corporation, a marketing and sales agency for top building material companies.  She currently serves as president of DePaul's IABC chapter and holds the title of Variety Show Director for  the DePaul chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity.  Baker hopes to work in agency or entertainment PR.  She can be reached at cbaker17@mail.depaul.edu or follow her at @crbaker03.