That’s the theory of award-winning Toronto-based Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs Inc., who this year, celebrates its 25th-anniversary building profile and profit for its clients. “We believe our unique brand of high ethical standards and finding ways our client’s business intersects with public interest has been a key part of our success,” said Howard Brown, President and Founder of Brown & Cohen, a graduate of Toronto’s Ryerson University School of Journalism.
“We maintain the highest level of perseverance and bold creative thinking that gives clients the advantage of being steps ahead of the competition, whether it is in corporate communications, digital and social media or public affairs,” said Brown & Cohen CEO Kim Cohen, an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management who was also educated at top schools in New York, Washington and Philadelphia.
Brown & Cohen is one of the only Canadian companies, and the only in Ontario, that is part of the Public Relations Organization International (PROI) worldwide network, with 75+ partner agencies with 5,000+ PR professionals across five continents, 50 countries and 100+ cities.
A strong part of their work is representing organizations looking to do public good. “We learn from our global intelligence how to make a local impact,” said Mr. Brown. “We are expanding our service offerings and always look for talented, PR professionals to join our team” said Ms. Cohen.
Over the last year, Brown & Cohen has taken on new hires, including CTV journalist and producer, Michael Gillings as their media relations lead. “I was impressed by Brown & Cohen’s ethical commitment in all its business activities,” said Mr. Gillings, who has spent over two decades working for major news outlets in both the U.K. and Canada, including the CBC and CTV News. “As a journalist, I’m conscious that your message needs to be authentic and have integrity, which is more important than ever in this day and age of a rapidly changing world and news landscape.”
Mr. Gillings is the second former CTV producer at Brown & Cohen. Prior to joining the firm, Vice President Wendy Kauffman worked as a CTV National News producer covering everything from Canadian elections to the Middle East conflict. She joined the firm over 17 years ago and now oversees crisis communications, social media and all PR efforts.
Brown & Cohen’s Account Managers Michelle Petch Gotuzzo and Blake Keidan have taken on larger roles in the creation of multi-channel social, digital marketing and public affairs programs. They have integrated their knowledge of social platforms into a number of the firm’s public relations campaigns.
FIRM GAINS NEW CLIENTS
A more traditional measurement of success for the firm, is the ability to secure new clients including Pace Law Firm and Cole Engineering as well as projects for Quiznos Canada and the Delegation to the European Union to Canada.
As well, the firm won a bid for the PR contract for the 121 restaurant outlets of Obsidian Group Inc, which includes the successful Crabby Joe’s, Chuck’s Roadhouse, Union Burger and Coffee Culture brands. Heart to Home Meals has returned as a client after a brief hiatus, and Orkin Canada signed on for its third consecutive year. All three companies have an aggressive growth plan for the coming year.
Brown & Cohen public affairs practice continues to be a source of pride for the company with its ongoing work for such organizations as Professional Engineers Ontario, the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, the Ontario Co-Operative Association, Professional Engineers Government of Ontario and Youth Employment Services.
Brown & Cohen is a past recipient of the Canadian Public Relations Society Award of Excellence
and its partners are regularly called upon to be a media commentator on public issues.
For more information contact:
Michael Gillings at (416) 484-1132 ext. 4 or michael@brown-cohen.com