PRR's Rita Brogan Awarded Designation Of "Marketing Immortal"

SEATTLE, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita Brogan, founder and chief executive officer of full-service communications agency PRR, was inducted into the "Marketing Immortals" pantheon at the MARKETING Awards on May 21 in Seattle. The designation as a "Marketing Immortal" stems from Brogan's iconic leadership since taking over the reins at PRR in 1989, passion for supporting community through strategic communications, keen ability to facilitate conversations among disparate groups to reach consensus and, for more than 30 years, being a driving force in major transportation and infrastructure decisions in the region.

Award organizers at MARKETING Magazine praised her in their announcement for "unwavering commitment to combine the firm's individual passions and perspectives to serve a greater good." Also lauded was Brogan's successful blend of commitment to the community backed by strong business acumen. As one of the largest independent public relations firms in the region, PRR is the 27^th largest woman-owned business in Washington state, and the 67^th largest PR firm in the U.S. rankings from PRWeek (up from 81^st place, in last year's rankings).

Brogan recalls, "When I purchased PRR in 1989, my vision was simple: Do good. Have fun. Make money. I wanted to harness the tools of public policy, community outreach, advertising, public relations and social science to serve the greater good." Managing principal Mike Rosen cites a long list of work that has flourished under Brogan's auspices, saying "Rita paved the way in our efforts to improve air quality, waste reduction, disease prevention, transit systems and other community involvement. Whether it's ensuring residents have a voice in selecting a police chief, helping policy makers in the region create a unified vision of what the future should look like and carve out a path to realize it, building a market for front loading washing machines and compact fluorescent bulbs, helping reduce violence against women or increasing road safety, Rita sets the tone and motivates others to dig deep and give their best. She's a Marketing Immortal and she inspires the next generation of Immortals too."

Brogan adds, "I will admit there are probably easier ways of making money. But, PRR has grown and thrived. None of PRR's accomplishments would have been possible if it were not for the fact that PRR's staff and leadership are personally and professionally aligned with the corporate mission of people, planet and place."

A Path Shaped by Personal History

Rita Brogan's personal history was a key force driving this mission – first as a bi-racial child of a U.S. serviceman and a Japanese war bride, born in Japan and moving to the American South in the Jim Crow era, then as a social activist whom President Jimmy Carter would appoint in 1976 to the National Commission for the Observance of the International Women's Year working on a national agenda alongside Gloria Steinem, Coretta Scott King, LaDonna Harris, Maya Angelou, Jean Stapleton, Liz Carpenter and Ellie Smeal.

Later, Brogan worked as a legislative assistant to several elected officials, served as Chief Land Use Advisor for the King County Executive, and ultimately became the Superintendent of Public Transportation Development at Seattle Metro, where she led a major reorganization to better respond to market demand and the need for integrated transportation services.  

During this hiatus from communications, Brogan notes finding herself becoming increasingly troubled by the disconnection between the public and decision-makers. Hence, her mission at PRR: providing residents with information and tools that help them create a future of their choice, and decision-makers with information and tools to make better, more informed, and responsive decisions."

Today, Brogan and the PRR team support clients that include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Department of Transportation, Group Health Cooperative, Skanska USA, King County, and Seattle Public Utilities, among others. Outside of PRR, Brogan also sits on the boards of the Downtown Seattle Association, Crosscut, the Seattle Chinatown/International District Preservation Development Authority and the Associates in Cultural Exchange International Advisory Council. In addition to being a Marketing Immortal, Brogan is also an accomplished gardener and avid painter. 

About PRR

Established in Seattle in 1981 to provide clients with creative communications solutions, PRR has steadily gained a national reputation for consistent, award-winning work and exceptional customer service. Over the years, PRR has expanded into a broad-based practice with a more integrated approach, adding research, public relations, public affairs, design and marketing to our service expertise. PRR has offices in Seattle, Washington, D.C., Austin, TX, and Norfolk, VA.

PRR is certified as a Minority Women's Business Enterprise (MWBE) and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in DC, Virginia, Texas, and Maryland. PRR is also nationally recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB).

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SOURCE PRR