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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: GETTING TO KNOW HELENE
SOLOMON
2002 Crystal Bell Winner and President/CEO of Solomon McCown & Company
from BellRinger, a publication of the Publicity Club of New England, May, 2003
| "Technology has reinvented the way we do business. With
internet, Blackberries, and cell phones, news travels incredibly fast. That
certainly enhances the pressure to speak carefully. The damage of misinformation
is harder to undo."
- Helene Solomon, president & CEO, Solomon McCown & Company, Boston |
Why public relations?
1200 votes. After five years working for Kevin White, I ran for public office,
with my campaign ending in a near miss. It was a trial by fire with the media
and a training ground for crisis work. I loved every minute of it.
In addition to being last year’s Crystal Bell winner, you were president
of the Pub Club twice. How do you feel the organization contributes to our
industry?
The Pub Club really links us together as a community of colleagues, and receiving
the Crystal Bell before a roomful of my peers was a great honor. The Club
raises awareness of what we do and its impact and raises the bar on our expectations
of ourselves. It also provides a forum – through panels and other events
– that allows our community to address some of the most compelling issues
of the day.
Can you describe the path you took to get to where you are?
I started at BU’s College of Communication, where I became hooked on
the news. I went on to get a master’s degree at American University,
where grad students could serve as "stringers" for the Sentinel-Journal
newspaper chain in suburban Washington, D.C. through the American University
News Service. After that, politics led me to public relations. I was lucky
enough to be involved in some incredibly meaningful and educational work quite
early in my career. Working with Planned Parenthood league of Massachusetts following the shooting incident of 1994, and handling PR duties
for Harold Brown, the real estate developer, through his bankruptcy and restructuring
particularly stand out.
What has been some of the most meaningful work you’ve done over the
past year?
Definitely my work for Msgr. Michael Foster, Judicial Vicar and Head of the
Metropolitan Tribunal for The Boston Archdiocese, who was falsely accused
of sexual abuse. The day that this good, honest man was able to return to
his parish was one of the most rewarding moments in my career.
You recently co-founded Solomon McCown & Company, a spin-off of Bishoff Solomon
Communications, which you co-founded in 1989. Can you briefly describe the
firm?
Solomon McCown is a group of smart, aggressive, well-connected PR professionals
with a talent for nailing clients’ communications strategies and helping
them achieve visibility, shape public opinion, and produce the kind of results that build client reputations,
create strong brands, and support mission-focused organizations. We are very
focused on client service.
What does excellent service mean to you?
Listen to the client, really pay attention to their business, get to know
them, spend time with them – and invite criticism.
Define "great client."
I love to dig into a big, fat messy situation that we can clean up. Nothing
matches the feeling of restoring the reputation of a truly worthy person,
organization, or business. A great idea, organization, or company that deserves
more recognition with an engaged and engaging readership is also very exciting
to me.
What’s a mistake people make in this industry?
Judging from the most recent wave of scandals, a big mistake is when PR people
don’t insist on being included in everything that’s going on with
your client. Look at Tyco, Andersen, Enron, Martha Stewart. You miss a lot
when you’re not at the table early on.
Who do you take inspiration from?
I am truly inspired by Ashley McCown. Her work ethic, tenacity, integrity,
candor, and humor really set the bar for me.
You’ve been working together for ten years. What makes the relationship
so strong?
We really complement each other. I’m on the external side doing marketing
and business development, and she’s on the inside. We don’t both want to do
the same thing – except when it comes to relationships with our clients.
I would also say that our shared love of food and wine helps. You could say
Sauternes and good cheeses are the glue that holds us together.
What has changed in PR in the past 10 years?
Technology has reinvented the way we do business. With internet, Blackberries,
and cell phones, news travels incredibly fast. That certainly enhances the
pressure to speak carefully. The damage of misinformation is harder to undo.
And clients – rightfully so – also have higher expectations of
our accessibility.
What is your favorite time of day?
Between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. I blackberry heavily, watch Letterman, and go back
to the days' newspaper to read some stories in more depth.
Do you still get on the phone with reporters?
Yes, all the time. Fundamentally, we are all account executives.
Helene Solomon At-a-Glance
What makes you laugh?
Pictures of Ashley and me from years ago. Especially the hair.
How do you unwind?
Quiet time with my incredibly supportive husband. It’s great to be married
to a patient, tolerant good listener when you basically spend your whole day talking.
Speaking of your husband, I hear he’s a great cook. What’s his
specialty?
John Dewar’s rack of lamb with a fresh green vegetable and Caesar salad
with homemade dressing and croutons.
A favorite part of your work?
The pleasure of helping young people find their way in the business.
