5WPR

93 Articles
Young professionals at a firm, ready to succeed in public relations careers

PR Careers: What I'd Tell Anyone Starting Today

Every few months I get an email from someone in their twenties asking how to build a PR career. Most of the advice they've been given is wrong — or right for a version of the industry that no longer exists. What I'd tell

A hand writing notes, reviewing a PR agency's annual performance report

Public Relations Report: PR Agency Review

Originally published: January 3, 2011 · Updated: June 16, 2026 In January 2011, The Holmes Report — now PRovoke Media — published its 2010 Agency Report Card on 5W. Paul Holmes wrote that 5W was among the most aggressiv

A person works late in a busy office, highlighting the demanding world of PR

PUBLIC RELATIONS: A WEEK OF PR AGENCY ACTIVITIES

Originally published: December 9, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 I wrote a day-in-the-life post in December 2010 describing one week at 5W. Holiday e-commerce strategy sessions. A Soho House lunch with a former client. T

Two hands shaking, one red and one blue, representing a difficult client relationship

NOT ALL PR CLIENTS ARE GOOD CLIENTS

Originally published: December 9, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 I lost a client in December 2010 and wrote about being relieved. The setup: 5W had been hired by the international headquarters of a major global brand. Th

Colorful puzzle pieces forming a vibrant mosaic, representing PR's exciting reinvention

NEW GAME RULES TRIGGER A REBIRTH

Originally published: December 1, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 The International Public Relations Association published this piece in December 2010 as a member byline. The original headline: PR was reinventing itself f

A spotlight illuminates a microphone, symbolizing the growing reach of PR in business

WHERE IS PR GOING AND HOW CAN IT BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS?

Originally published: October 25, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 In October 2010 the PR industry was running through a wave of holding-company acquisitions of independent firms. The thesis at the time: M&A activity p

A person looks frustrated by the complexities and misunderstandings of public relations work

THE CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Originally published: June 7, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 The 2010 version of this piece was a short rant about marketing-budget allocation. Five examples I had run into in the prior twelve months: A client who spent

A skunk amidst networking attendees, symbolizing the negativity that can arise

“NO SKUNKING: SPRAYING OF NEGATIVITY”

Originally published: May 13, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 The May 2010 post described one of the CEO breakfasts I had been hosting at the 5W offices in midtown Manhattan since the mid-2000s. Twenty-two founders and se

Editorial illustration for the article "RANDOM PR MUSINGS"

RANDOM PR MUSINGS

Originally published: May 10, 2010 · Updated: June 16, 2026 The 2010 piece was a short three-point post written after a tough week. The hooks: a Friday-night dinner I hosted at home with two current clients and a former