Then ...

In 1990 the large regional public relations firm that Chick Goebel, Claudia Pilato and I started in 1982 (Goebel, Kirk&Pilato) was acquired by one of the largest public relations firms in the world, Ketchum Public Relations. Chick and I then served as senior vice presidents at that firm.

 

Now...

In 1993, I returned to private practice, with the intention of building a work-at-home business without the issues and hassles associated with becoming an employer again. I have focused my work on three industries (healthcare, financial services and commercial real estate) in which I have substantial depth and experience, and in several communication specialties for clients with urgent or special needs. These specialties include the research, crisis management, employee communication, issues management, specialized writing and training.

 

I am honored to work with several ongoing clients in long-term relationships and with a few other clients on short-term and episodic assignments.

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Approach

I believe that, like Rodney Dangerfield, many people in my business "don't get any respect" because they shoot from the hip. They recommend that their clients spend thousands or millions of dollars and bet their precious reputations on this or that clever idea because it "makes sense" or "seems right." That way of doing business does not "seem right" to me.

 

The practice of public relations stands on a strong, deep foundation of social science and other research. Some of us in this business have gone to the trouble to become familiar with that body of knowledge so that when we argue for a course of action, there's solid evidence to support the case for doing so. This way of operating means that when a client and I agree to a set of objectives, they can be measured in terms we can take to the bank, not in wiggle words such as "position the company as a leading provider of something."

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I am proud to say that I was Accredited in Public Relations in 1982 by the Public Relations Society of America was inducted into the College of Fellows of this leading professional society in 1994 and have pledged to uphold the Public Relations Society of America's Member Code of Ethics.

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Brief History

HRN, Inc.

Senior Vice President
A Public Affairs research and software development company

 

Ketchum Public Relations

Senior Vice President
One of the largest international Public Affairs and Public Relations firms in the world

 

Goebel, Kirk & Pilato, Inc.

Founder, Principal
Philadelphia's largest independent Public Relations firm, acquired in 1990 by Ketchum Public Relations

 

McKinney Public Relations

Assistant General Manager
An industrial/manufacturing, business-to-business Public Relations firm

 

David Kirk & Associates

Principal
First entrepreneurial venture

 

Temple University

Public Relations Director
School of Communications and Theatre, Department of Theatre
One of the top radio, television, film, journalism and theatre training schools in the  U.S.

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