| Golin/Harris International | 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60601-3704 |
| www.golinharris.com | (312) 729-4000 Fax: (312) 729-4010 |
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Do you want fries with that?
Originally known as Golin and Cooper, the PR firm was founded in Chicago in 1957 by Alvin Golin. McDonald's, one of its first clients, remains the firm's cornerstone account. In fact, McDonald's founder, Ray Kroc, gave the firm "a lot of the credit for making McDonald's a household word." The firm was renamed Golin/Harris Communications in 1978 when consumer marketing expert Tom Harris came on board.
Acquisitions throughout its history
In 1985, the firm was acquired by Foote, Cone & Belding, now known as True North Communications. An established PR entity in Chicago at this point, the firm soon began expanding. It opened a New York outpost, and took over FCB's Philadelphia and London offices. The agency also acquired Los Angeles agency Berkhemer & Kline, and Continental PR, a Canadian firm. In 1987, Golin/Harris was acquired by Shandwick International, a U.K.-based PR firm.
Identity issues
Despite all of this shifting and changing of hands, the agency has managed to retain its identity, and it remains a well-known brand in the industry. In July 1998, Interpublic Group (IPG) acquired Shandwick, rendering Golin/Harris a subsidiary of the world's third-largest public relations agency network, behind Y&R and Omnicom. That month the agency changed its name to "Golin/Harris International," to emphasize its commitment to global expansion. And with access to IPG's resources, the agency is better positioned to move into foreign markets.
Allied Communications Group, another division of The Interpublic Group, has announced an expansion of its advertisiing services to include public relations, among other things. The move retains Golin/Harris's expertise to help ACG serve companies with worldwide revenue of at least $1.3 billion in areas of public relations, research, events and entertainment, and consulting. Other companies now inlcuded in ACG are Weber Public Relations Worldwide and Shandwick International.
Although Golin/Harris is best known for its consumer and business-to-business marketing expertise, it has expanded into health care, corporate, and investor relations. Industry observers praise the firm's crisis management work and its research capabilities. The firm also added technology to its roster with the 1997 acquisition of San Francisco-based Hi-Tech PR. The agency's Chicago HQ and its L.A. office are top in their markets; both boast notable marketing campaigns - including those for McDonald's, Nintendo, and Bayer aspirin.
Dining with the Chairman
Golin/Harris claims to have one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry, and demonstrates a commitment to employee development by providing employees with training progams and tuition reimbursement. In 1997, Golin relocated its Chicago office, and made some interesting initiatives to improve the quality of the workplace. Among these are "Al's Diner," named for chairman Al Golin, where employees can meet and eat; and a "family room," where workers can go to discuss work and family issues. Firm-wide, Golin offers such benefits as flexible scheduling, telecommuting, child care assistance, and tuition reimbursement.
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To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and writing samples to the firm, indicating the area you might be interested in. The company prefers that resumes be e-mailed, but you can fax or post them c/o Sandy Maldonado at the Chicago headquarters. Also check out www.golinharris.com/careers.html for openings and other information.
Interviews usually consist of "at least three" meetings - you'll talk to an HR rep, your potential supervisor, and other members of the team. As one insider explains, the agency is looking for people "who are confident and comfortable talking about themselves," which makes it easier to understand "where your interest lies" and "how you will fit in." Don't forget to "review your PR textbook," one source warns - there's a mandatory writing test. "Be prepared to write a press release, pitch letter, or PR plan on the spot," one insider advises, adding: "They'll give you a few hours to do it."
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Women, women everywhere!
Although "women outnumber men about 3 to 1," - a common ratio for the industry - diversity pretty much ends there. "There are not too many Asians," one insider notes, "and most of the black [employees] hold clerical posts - with some exceptions. But as far as I can tell," that source adds, "there is no discrimination in the way everyone interacts."
What, no more 9-5?
The dress code is "somewhat formal," a source reveals. "Most employees wear suits or dress shirts and pants/skirts." Employees can, however, don jeans on casual Fridays. Official work hours are 9-5, and "in the summer it's 8:30 to 5:15 Mondays to Thursdays, and 8:30 to 12:45 on Fridays." However, in the New York office, at least, management is trying to ditch the "nine to five culture." Now led by Richard Wolfe who has a "corporate and financial" background, "the office is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m." Sources tell Vault.com that "there are plenty of employees - senior and junior - who work longer."
Fun, friendly, fastidious
The people at Golin are "very friendly" and "fun," but "serious about their work as well." "Everybody works very hard," says a source, who admits that "some accounts require more work than others." Worried about mental block? Don't stress - as one insider explains: "Nobody expects you to walk in on your first day and come up with the idea that will revolutionize the industry. After a few mistakes, you will start to understand that your contribution can make a difference."
Pretty regular perks
As far as benefits, Golin/Harris offers the basics - medical and life insurance, disability, and 401(k). In addition, the agency offers Commuter Transit Assistance, tuition reimbursement, and the opportunity to buy stock through the McDonald's Corporation Direct Stock Purchase Plan (just one benefit of that 40-year relationship). "Special perks are generally tied to the account that you work on," says an employee. An informant from the Chicago office adds that co-workers "organize external activities on a pretty regular basis."
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Sandy Maldonado
111 E. Wacker Drive1
10th Floor
Chicago
IL
60601-3704
(312) 729-4013
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Branding;Business-to-Business;Community Relations;Consumer Marketing;Crisis Communication;Design;Employee Relations;Investor Relations;Issues Management;Media Relations;New Media;Positioning;Public Affairs;Research;Spokesperson Training;Video
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