Ivy Ledbetter Lee“Father of Modern PR”

Declaration of Principles

Early Life

• Born July 16, 1877 in Cedartown, Georgia • Attended nearby Emory in Atlanta for 2 years• Graduated with a degree in economics from

Princeton University in 1898 at the top of his class

• Would later enroll at Harvard University but would only last a semester

Early Career

• Worked as a stringer for the New York Journal, New York World, and New York Times

Parker & Lee

• Formed with the help of his friend George F. Parker

• Widely known as the nation’s first public relations firm

• Boasted about their company with their motto “Accuracy, Authenticity, Interest”

Declaration of Principles• Possibly his greatest contribution to the field of public relations"This is not a secret press bureau. All our work is done in the open. We aim to supply news. This is not an advertising agency. If you think any of our matter ought properly to go to your business office, do not use it. Our matter is accurate. Further details on any subject treated will be supplied promptly, and any editor will be assisted most carefully in verifying directly any statement of fact. ... In brief, our plan is frankly, and openly, on behalf of business concerns and public institutions, to supply the press and public of the United States prompt and accurate information concerning subjects which it is of value and interest to the public to know about."

High Profile Cases

• Pennsylvania Railroad Disaster kills 53

• Because of the use of his principles, Ivy Lee was later hired on to become the company’s first publicity director.

High Profile Cases cont.

• Ledbetter Lee was also hired by John D. Rockefeller’s Colorado Fuel and Iron Company

• LUDLOW MASSACRE

American Red Cross

• Hired as the Assistant to the Chairman• Raised over $400 million for disaster relief• Recruited millions of volunteers for the World

War 1 effort.•

Visionary and Pioneer

• In 1937, at the age of 57, Lee died of a brain tumor

• His contributions in the field of public relations are the foundation of many if not all companies today

Works Cited

• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ivy_Lee

• http://www.nku.edu/~turney/prclass/readings/3eras2x.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Lee• http://pr.wikia.com/wiki/Ivy_Lee