Tag Archives: history

Honoring America’s 250th with a Little History and a Nod to PR

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Red, white and blue festive bunting, parades, grilled hotdogs and fireworks may sum up the Fourth of July for many Americans most years, but 2026 is special. 

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is an opportune time to reflect with respect on U.S. history and the vision, wisdom and bravery of our Founding Fathers.

But, dare we say, it might also serve as an excuse to look back into history from another perspective—public relations. Afterall, it was more than Paul Revere’s “PR campaign,” communicating “The British are coming. The British are coming,” that brought us to where we are today. 

The Communications That Built America 

While the Museum of Public Relations credits cave drawings from 37000 to 17000 BC as the earliest form of communication, for the purpose of this article and to mark our nation’s 250th, we will explore how PR has evolved since 1776.   

The Age of Print kicked off in 1773 when Samuel Adams shared messages to raise awareness among colonists of British oppression. The pamphlets and propaganda he distributed have credited him with inspiring the Boston Tea Party in opposition of British taxation. 

Not long after, colonist Thomas Paine drafted and distributed a famous pamphlet known as Common Sense to promote support of a revolution against Great Britain. Then, of course came one of America’s most famous communications—The Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers detailing what the future government of the United States of America would look like.

According to the museum, Amon Kendall, a cabinet member to President Andrew Jackson, was one of America’s first to hold a professional communications position in the White House around 1829. He is credited with drafting messaging for Jackson and redefining his public image from “a southern born war hero to a polished intellectual.”

In the 19th century, early PR tactics were used to promote the abolition of slavery and the women’s suffrage movement. Later, mass media emerged with inventions like the telegraph, telephone, motion picture camera and long-distance radio. These tools enabled communicators to share messages far and wide unlike ever before.

With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, a free press rose demanding transparency from leading businesses. John D. Rockefeller worked with Ivy Lee, considered the “founder of modern public relations” to reshape his image into that of respected philanthropist rather than oil tycoon. Lee is also credited with the creation of corporate PR departments. 

World War II ushered in a range of new communications tactics, including Joseph Goebbels’ propaganda campaign for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi movement in Germany. Meanwhile, an ocean away, the U.S. Office of War Information office was created to leverage media, radio and other communications tools to share news around the war effort within the U.S. and abroad.  

Soon after, PR agencies entered the scene. 

What’s Next for PR? 

The history of PR is fascinating. It goes on to include the rise of crisis communications with the 1982 Tylenol scandal, to welcome the internet and then, of course, social media. 

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this weekend, we are now navigating a new world shaped by artificial intelligence. AI is making its mark across society and business ,and PR practitioners have also been caught within its wake. The good news is AI is shining a spotlight on our industry, which has long operated behind the scenes developing strategy, crafting messaging, ghostwriting for others and the like. As you have read here, PR has been integral to many of the historic movements that shaped our country. That role is positioned to become even more important in this new world of AI. For example, AI search, which society is quickly coming to depend on, relies on credible third-party content known as earned media to inform its responses. 

When you enjoy that hot dog, hamburger or potato salad this July 4th, be sure to honor our Founding Fathers for their vision, initiative and honorable actions in building America. 

And for those of us in PR, let’s take a moment to reflect on the value of our profession and the important role we play in shaping its future. Long before 1776, communication initiatives have helped to inform the public, drive progress and shape societies. Today, our goals as PR pros remain much the same, to advance visibility and build credibility, to share compelling stories, raise awareness and build trust on behalf of our clients.  

New Hope’s Logan Inn makes history, sells for $5.6 million

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Jersey City developer promises to restore, expand Bucks County landmark

Addison Wolfe Real Estate, a boutique real estate firm specializing in distinctive properties, today announces New Hope’s historic Logan Inn has sold for $5.6 million to Landmark Hospitality, headquartered in Jersey City, N.J.

According to Addison Wolfe Realtor® Caryn Black, who represented Landmark Hospitality, the Logan Inn deal represents the largest commercial real estate transaction in recent history within the borough of New Hope.

“This deal has been in the works for some time, and promises to remake the face of downtown New Hope while remaining true to the building’s historic roots and New Hope’s distinctive character,” says Black. “Landmark Hospitality has an impressive track record of restoring historic commercial properties and turning them into remarkable destinations that complement their environment. The same will be true of Logan Inn.”

Established in 1722 as a tavern, the Logan Inn at 10 West Ferry Street in New Hope is Bucks County’s oldest and only in-town, continuously operational inn on the National Register of Historic Places.

Frank Cretella, principal of Landmark Hospitality, intends to work closely with New Hope’s Historical Architectural Review Board and Doylestown Architect Ralph C. Fey, AIA, to enhance the property’s curb appeal. In its current form, Landmark’s plans call for constructing two additional permanent structures that will add 17 new guest rooms and a pebbled court yard.

“As we did with the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station a few years ago, our intention is to return the Logan Inn to its true landmark status,” explains Cretella. “Logan Inn has been a centerpiece for New Hope since the dawn of this town, and we intend to renew its promise, restore its history and remake it as a showplace of fine dining and lodging for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit the area annually.”

Landmark Hospitality, a leader in urban renewal and adaptive reuse practices for historic and existing commercial structures, also operates Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, Stone House at Sterling Ridge in Warren, N.J., and Celebrate at Snug Harbor in Staten Island, N.Y., in addition to the Ryland Inn. The company also recently unveiled its other distinctive New Hope property, the fully renovated Hotel Du Village on River Road.

Ignorance Is Not a Brand Attribute

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Media outlets everywhere have covered Groupon's Presidents' Day marketing stunt. The question is if this hurts or helps the brand in the long term.

Many media outlets, like the Chicago Tribune, have covered Groupon’s President’s Day marketing stunt. The question is if this stunt hurts or helps the brand in the long term.

As marketing tools, sometimes stunts work. They get the media’s attention. They take your brand “viral.” They get people talking about you. They create “buzz.”

When activists delivered a 13-foot tall gluten-free cake to Capital Hill in May 2011 to advocate that the Food and Drug Administration enforce gluten-free labeling standards, the stunt worked. There was plenty of media coverage. It supported the mission to which the activists were committed. It alerted consumers to issues surrounding the food they eat.

However, Groupon’s latest stunt – calling Alexander Hamilton “undeniably one of our greatest presidents” to promote a Presidents’ Day special – will not serve the brand well.

Sure, Groupon is quirky. Some might say it’s quirky to the point of being ridiculous. I’ll also grant you the Groupon stunt is getting buzz. There’s plenty of media coverage (heck, it prompted me to write this spiffy blog post).

But this stunt also gives the impression Groupon doesn’t know the facts (e.g., Hamilton was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, not President). In trying to look too cool for school, Groupon instead comes across as out of touch with details – something that might make consumers wary. Thoughtful consumers might at first be amused. But on reflection, will they trust leaving their credit card information with a company that portrays ignorance as an attribute?

Hamilton’s briefly mistaken moment in U.S. presidential history won’t sink Groupon – assuming people are still using it. In fact, in the short run, it will have everyone talking about Groupon. That is what stunts do; they create buzz.

It’s the long run that is a problem. How does Hamilton fit the brand? More importantly, how does portraying a fundamental misunderstanding of history convince consumers to spend their Hamiltons, and Washingtons and Lincolns with Groupon?

Any good public relations professional will tell you buzz doesn’t always last and stunts like this don’t help the long term reputation of Groupon with consumers.

Mr. Hamilton would not be amused or impressed by Groupon’s stunt. Those using his likeness shouldn’t be either.