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PCI Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Giving Back to the Community

Pro bono projects focus on five core areas of business

CHICAGO – January 17, 2012

Public Communications Inc. (PCI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary year in 2012 by honoring its founders and heritage through a series of pro bono projects and staff outreach events in its five core areas of business.

The firm, which has a national practice and a staff of 50, participated in the Chicago Cares MLK Celebration of Service Jan. 14, to acknowledge its dedication to its “everything Chicago” group of clients. Other projects and the areas of business they represent include participating in the CureSearch Walk for Children’s Cancer (health care), Girls in the Game “Game Days” (culture/entertainment/sports), Jane Addams Hull House Association Head Start program (education), and beach clean-ups (conservation/environment).

PCI was founded in Chicago Sept. 1, 1962, as a generalist public relations firm with primarily an industrial/manufacturing client base by James Strenski and Phillip O'Reilly. When O'Reilly retired, Strenski recruited Richard Barry in 1970 from Edelman to form what Strenski calls, "one of the greatest trust and talent partnerships in the business."

Strenski and Barry greatly diversified the client base while taking on pro bono work and championing causes as far ranging as open housing, tutoring/mentoring and helping to raise more than $4 million to save and restore Chicago’s second oldest church, Holy Family. That commitment to good works has remained a cornerstone of PCI.

"As we discussed how best to observe this important occasion, it seemed fitting to reflect the heritage and commitment of our agency through pro bono work and events," said Dorothy Oliver Pirovano, CEO, a 30-year veteran of the firm. "Jim and Dick set the tone in their many years of serving on boards and providing pro bono services to nonprofits with worthwhile causes and limited budgets. We live our beliefs at PCI and it has resulted in exceptionally long-term client relationships and a loyal staff that embraces the work we do."

PCI has continually evolved its client base, adding corporate accounts, associations, nonprofits and health care organizations, and moving the firm to its five primary concentrations of business.

Today, about 60 percent of PCI's business is in health care, with a diverse national client base that includes corporations, from start-ups to billion dollar businesses; hospitals and health systems; more than 20 medical/dental/allied health care associations; advocacy groups and service providers.

Conservation/environment represents about 15 percent of billings and comprises national organizations dedicated to animal welfare and sustainability, state and local groups that focus on land use and conservation and more than two dozen zoos and aquariums nationwide.
Education clients – from preschools to universities, consultants to nonprofits that focus on improving education – have been a mainstay of the firm for more than 30 years.

PCI has developed a specialty in representing cultural organizations and museums as well as professional sports teams and leagues, and entertainment venues as diverse as water parks, conservatories, casinos and family destinations.

PCI's "everything Chicago" practice cuts a wide swath across all business sectors with clients that seek integrated communications support in the city and region. It includes manufacturers, banks and financial services firms, professional service providers, hospitals and schools and a diverse group of nonprofits.

Pirovano is the third generation of leadership at PCI, which has undergone seamless successions as it remains an independently owned firm. Jill Allread, president; and Ruth Mugalian, executive vice president; hold ownership positions, establishing PCI as a certified Women's Business Enterprise.

With fee billings of about $5 million in 2011, PCI ranks as the fourth largest independent PR agency in Chicago and 66th nationally*.

PCI is a founding member of the WORLDCOM Public Relations Group, the world's leading partnership of independently owned public relations counseling firms with more offices in more cities and countries than any communications network. Pirovano serves as chair of Worldcom's Americas Region Board and is immediate past chair of its Health Care Practice Group.

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* 2011 independent PR firm rankings by O’Dwyers

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