Public Communications Inc.

We’re thrilled to share that our Senior Vice President of Wildlife Care & Conservation, Sharon Dewar, made an appearance on Fox 32 Chicago to talk about her new book, "50 Hikes with Kids: Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio." Sharon’s dedication to wildlife and conservation shines through as she combines her professional expertise with her love for the great outdoors.

Catch the full segment and discover more about the book here: https://bit.ly/4cCzJ32.

In honor of , we’re spotlighting two of our very own – learn more about Alex and Ben below.

We thank you for all your contributions to our team!

We had an amazing time celebrating Pride Month with a happy hour in the PCI Hub!

It was a great way to celebrate the month and connect with our colleagues over some beats and bites.

The month may be over, but PCI keeps the spirit of Pride alive every day as an LGBTQ-owned business. 🏳️‍🌈

We kicked off summer at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, which celebrates Chicago’s world-famous riverfront and movable bridges.

The gorgeous river views plus a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the DuSable Bridge made for a perfect outing with colleagues and friends! ☀️

We’re proud to spotlight the impactful work of our clients, including Howard Brown Health and AIDS Foundation Chicago who are continuously advocating for and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Read about their efforts in this Block Club Chicago article. https://bit.ly/4cCfNOr

This week, two beluga whales were bravely rescued from war-torn Ukraine in what is likely the most complex marine mammal rescue ever conducted.

PCI is proud to serve as communications lead supporting client Georgia Aquarium and collaborating partners Oceanogràfic València, SeaWorld and The Association of Zoos and Aquariums who helped Ukraine’s NEMO aquarium on this daring rescue mission.

Read more about their story here: https://nyti.ms/3VRfKsj

How Two Beluga Whales Made It to Safety From Ukraine (Gift Article) A pair of whales were extricated from the besieged city of Kharkiv and taken to an aquarium in Spain with help from experts around the world.

Today, we honor and recognize Juneteenth, also known as America’s second Independence Day.

On June 19, 1865, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom. Over 250,000 Black Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became Juneteenth or Freedom Day. Today is a day of reflection and celebration of Black Americans' resilience, culture and contributions.

Our agency closes its offices to observe Juneteenth, reaffirming our dedication to addressing racial and social inequities that have long affected our country. We remain committed to creating positive and effective change through our work.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈 As an LGBTQ+-owned agency, June holds special significance for us at PCI.

It's a time of celebration and reflection of our commitment to inclusivity and representation both within our agency and in the work we do for our clients. This month and every month, we are committed to making a positive impact in everything we do.

We are honored to receive DePaul University PRSSA's first-ever Outstanding PRSSA Agency Supporter Award for supporting the group’s professional development efforts.

While we value the opportunity to mentor and educate about our profession, we are equally thrilled to have the chance to connect with, exchange ideas with and learn from the next generation of PR professionals.

While the Memorial Day holiday often represents the kick-off to summer for many, PCI Senior Vice President Sharon Dewar, a U.S. Navy veteran, reminds us that today is a day for remembrance and gratitude for those who served and died in military service.

Today, Sharon is remembering with gratitude her friend and journalism mentor, Brian, whom she served with on the island of Guam in the 1990s. Brian welcomed Sharon from the moment she arrived, helped her get settled, meet friends and hone her journalism skills.

Sharon is also remembering her Navy colleague and friend, Noha. Noha took Sharon on her first international vacation to her homeland Egypt, igniting a lifelong love of global travel and adventure.

Noha and Brian shaped Sharon in immeasurable ways personally and professionally. They both died young while in military service. They will never be forgotten.

In recognition of , PCI invited organizational and clinical psychologist Dr. Kim Rubenstein to share a thoughtful, informative presentation on how to navigate mental health in the workplace. The often busy day-to-day work in communications makes moments like these so valuable, where we can pause, sit down and have a meaningful conversation about mindfulness and wellbeing.

We always take the opportunity to chat with the next generation of PR professionals. Two of our team members recently shared their insights as panelists at two DePaul University PRSSA events – one on environmental storytelling and another on the intersection of entrepreneurship and PR. We’re excited about the capable hands of these aspiring professionals!

We’re proud to help The Nature Conservancy in Illinois share the important work being done to create a world where plants, animals and people thrive. We are delighted to have helped secure the front-page Chicago Tribune feature story that shares how specially trained crews use controlled, low-intensity fire to support healthy, robust landscapes -- and prevent large-scale wildfires. Read the article:

Setting prairies ablaze in springtime is key to restoring damaged ecosystems, conservationists say Protecting grasslands is important because they store carbon and help the region adapt to a changing climate, experts say.

Our very own Ramsey Carey, Vice President of our Nonprofit, Business, & Government sector, recently moderated a The Chicago Loop Marketing Lab discussion with other public relations professionals around the importance of an earned media strategy in the Chicago tourism and hospitality business.

Here’s what you should know to generate meaningful coverage for your organization:
1️⃣ Build genuine relationships with journalists.
2️⃣ Leverage personal and impactful storytelling to cut through the crowded media landscape.
3️⃣ Think beyond earned media – leverage influencer marketing and strategic partnerships to elevate your message.

What are your tips for securing meaningful earned media? Share them in the comments below!

Happy International Women's Day! As a women-owned business, we celebrate the resilience, strength, and achievements of women everywhere, not just today, but every day.

Last night, Jill Allread, CEO; Sharon Dewar, Senior VP of Conservation and Wildlife Care; and Ramsey Carey, VP of Nonprofit, Business, and Government, graced the International Women's Forum. It was a night dedicated to acknowledging and applauding the extraordinary women in Chicago who tirelessly propel meaningful change within our communities.

To close out Black History Month, PCIers joined a Movie Club talk on the Oscar-nominated film, Rustin. 📽️ We discussed Bayard Rustin’s legacy and how his adept planning of the March on Washington inspires today’s communicators to advance the cause of justice and peace.

Our Healthcare Account Supervisor, Joash Mencias, recently participated in a panel during the Public Relations Student Society of America’s Annual Midwest Conference at DePaul University. He spoke in a session where he and other panelists shared personal insights on diversity, inclusion and allyship in the workplace. The panel was an excellent opportunity to network with an impressive pool of potential future talent.

At PCI, we recognize the power of giving back, especially when charitable contributions are facing a significant decline. Our PCI Cares program stands as a testament to our commitment, allowing our team to donate funds to causes they are passionate about. Read more about the organizations we donated to in 2023: https://bit.ly/3SWAKeL.

In her latest feature in O'Dwyer's Public Relations News - odwyerpr.com, CEO Jill Allread shares key strategies on how nonprofit boards can navigate challenges while maintaining trust and upholding their mission. Learn more: https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/20760/2024-01-30/nonprofit-boards-serve-key-role-crises-prevention.html.

Last Friday, we visited our client Cradles to Crayons Chicago at the Giving Factory and spent our day sorting donated items and packing them for delivery to children in need.

Access to proper clothing is vital for a child’s physical well-being, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. Cradles to Crayons is working to ensure children have the essential items they need to succeed. Learn more about the organization: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/chicago/

At PCI, we’re deepening our understanding of AI. We know AI is a complementary tool - not a replacement – for human expertise and experience.

We’re proud of our very own Mary Erangey, Senior VP of Healthcare, who recently led a discussion with MATTER at 1871 on AI in healthcare, highlighting the importance of point-of-care advancement, teamwork in decision-making and much more.

Today, we remember and honor the profound impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His life and accomplishments continue to inspire all of us to practice love and seek justice.

Our very own Rob Tate, Senior Account Executive, attended and spoke at his alma mater, Denison University's 2023 ReMix Summit, about why strategic planning is the key to success. Learn more about the insights Rob shared at the summit and the importance of having a strong communications plan on our blog: https://bit.ly/48PAk02

Congratulations to our Senior Vice President & Managing Director Wendi Koziol, who has been appointed to Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) - Chicago Chapter's Board of Directors. At PCI, we take pride in upholding the industry standards set by PRSA. We look forward to seeing Wendi’s contributions to the organization and accomplishments while serving.