Ivy Lee

From Free net encyclopedia

Ivy Ledbetter Lee (July 16, 1877 – November 9, 1934) is considered by some to be the founder of modern public relations, although the title could also be held by Edward Bernays.

Ivy Lee was born near Cedartown, Georgia as the son of a Methodist minister. He studied at Princeton and worked as a newspaper reporter and stringer. Together with George Parker he established the US's third public relations firm, Parker and Lee, in late 1904. The new agency boasted of "Accuracy, Authenticity, and Interest." They made this partnership after working together in the Democratic Party headquarters handling publicity for Judge Alton Parker's unsuccessful presidential race against Theodore Roosevelt.

The Parker and Lee firm lasted less than four years, but the junior partner — Lee — was to become one of the most influential pioneers in public relations. He evolved his philosophy in 1906 into the "Declaration of Principles," the first articulation of the concept that public relations practitioners have a public responsibility that extends beyond obligations to the client.

Lee is infamous for his connections with Nazi Germany, and his involvement in the aftermath of the Ludlow massacre (he was the Rockefeller family publicist). He also worked for Bethlehem Steel, in which capacity he famously advised managers to list their top priorities and work on tasks in that order, not proceeding until a task was completed. For this suggestion Charles M. Schwab paid him $25,000.

Through his sister Laura, Lee was uncle to novelist William S. Burroughs.

Ivy Ledbetter Lee died in New York in 1934 at the age of 57.

[edit]