The Legacy Lives On

Photo credit: www.edelmandigital.com

        Through reading Edelman and the Rise of Public Relations, my knowledge on the history of this industry has grown significantly. Dan Edelman has forever impacted the public relations world by setting the bar high and paving the way for others. Edelman began as a small office in Chicago has expanded into the leading agency in the world. In early 2011, Edelman also became the largest firm in the world, with revenues of over a half-billion dollars. I am incredibly impressed with the ambition, dedication and commitment that Dan Edelman had in creating Edelman. It was not always easy, but he stuck with it and made something truly spectacular. 

         In my opinion, Dan Edelman has a legacy that will live on for many years to come. When the agency celebrated it's 60th anniversary this past October, Richard Edelman came to Chicago to for a lunch and tele-conference that included staff members from all over the world. Richard said, "My father developed a set of operating principles for the firm... Hire the best talent, and retain them by giving them the chance to be entrepreneurial... Expand in new markets by reinvestng all of your earnings each year.... Never take on debt... Remain independent and family owned, so that you serve no one's interest but those of your clients. And for 60 years these principles have not changed.... Today, with 65 offices, 4,500 employees and $637 millon in revenue, we are the world's largest P.R. firm thanks to Dan's foundational values." (pg.122) The key takeaway here is to stick to what you know is right. Follow your head AND your heart. You can't be successful if you don't stand by what you believe in.  If Dan Edelman has not stuck to his core values throughout his agency's growth, they wouldn't have been the powerful and accomplished agency that they are today. Dan was optimistic and excited to take on new opportunities and challenges. He cared about being the best, not only the biggest. He wanted to gain clients but also retain one's that they already had. He wanted to give clients the best service possible. 

        Last week my class went to Edelman and met with Edelman's Chicago President, Rick Murray. One can tell just from listening to Rick for a few minutes the amount of respect and admiration that he had for Dan. He showed great joy in sharing his own "Dan stories" with us and reminiscing with our professor, Ron Culp. Before our visit ended, we had the chance to see Dan's office. It was truly amazing to have read this book and then to be standing where this great man sat and made many decisions about this growing agency. His office is covered in pictures, awards and other mementos that were important to him. His belongings have not been touched, it is as if he was in the office just yesterday. I will always admire and respect this amazing man. 

Christina O'Connell is currently a senior at DePaul University. She will receive a B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising and a minor in Marketing in June of 2013. She is very active in DePaul's PRSSA chapter. Christina is the former VP of Advocacy, Diversity, and Philanthropy, as well as the former VP of Special Events. She has held four internships during her time at DePaul and is a member of the Delta Gamma fraternity. You can reach Christina at coconnell20@comcast.net.