A Great Start to a New Year!

Happy New Year! What an exciting year for me to begin my new business
— Louise Edwards Public Relations, LLC.

My husband and I spent the holidays in Dubai. Definitely a big 'wow' to see the unveiling of the world’s largest building, Dubai Tower, and join in the festivities. After spending so many years in an office in the Hancock building, it was bittersweet to kick off 2010 at the top of the world!

Proving what a really small world it is, the former manager of the Sears Tower is now GM of Dubai Tower. Skidmore was the architectural design firm for the incredible building. So, yes, Chicago IS part of everything big!

Holidays are a great time to count your blessings, and I’m so thankful to Margie and Margie Korshak, Inc. for an incredible 25+ years at the helm, and for her mentoring support of the next step in my PR career. Dreams are best fulfilled.

I'm so fortunate to have had amazing mentors along the way. Joe Dragonette set me on my path (before owning his own PR agency, he was president of Edelman Public Relations - where I first started under his wing). I know how proud he would be to see my company today...And, of course, my parents, who raised a couple of overachievers but never got to see their children’s biggest accomplishments.

I have also had the greatest opportunity to work with so many incredible folks and role models at McDonald’s, who clearly inspired me over the past two decades.

At Louise Edwards Public Relations, LLC, I look forward to continuing my work with sporting events, pet-related causes and services, not-for-profits, consumer products, restaurants, real estate, fitness and "green" initiatives.

I love my clients…and having an office in the burgeoning West Loop area. (Hi to Oprah 2 blocks away and Andrea Metcalf down the hall!)

Apologies to anyone who tried to reach me and couldn’t. (Suffice it to say, telecommunications companies need A LOT of PR help…). Thank you for your cards, phone calls, surprise deliveries and visits. That’s why I love what I do…because of all of you. I'm so excited about my business.

Give a call next time you are in the neighborhood or need some great PR results!

773-818-3961 is the best number this week. Next week, my old number should be transfered. 312-751-5511.

LOUISE EDWARDS PR HISTORY

Louise Edwards Public Relations is a new agency, located in Chicago’s burgeoning West Loop area and headed by veteran publicist Louise Edwards. Accounts include: Airline Promotions, Inc., The Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon, Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center, Saint Luke Renaissance Greenview Place, The Manual Number Cruncher®, The Anti-Cruelty Society, The Thread that Binds, and more.

Edwards previously held the position of Corporate President of Margie Korshak, Inc. public relations, where, for over 25 years, she was responsible for major local and national consumer products, restaurant, real estate, special events, sports/fitness and hospitality accounts, among other major national and local accounts.

Edwards' public relations expertise has garnered her several industry awards, including Chicago Skyline Award/Events & Observances: Business Services in 2004, Silver Trumpet Awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago in 1986 and 1985, designation as "one of the 20 top achievers in the '80s" by Today's Chicago Woman in 1984, honorable mention in the Hotel & Motel Association Publicity Key Awards competition in 1979, and two Golden Trumpet Awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago in 1977.

In 2008 (honorable mention), 2006, 2004 (honorable mention), 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1992, McDonald's Corporation presented Edwards with communicators "Best Bets" national/international awards for McDonald's public relations programs. In 1994, Ronald McDonald Children's Charities presented her with a "Best Bets" International award in recognition of a fund-raising event which generated over $1.5 million for the charity.

Sample case histories of highly successful public relations campaigns created and implemented by Edwards appear in the following publications: "Writing for the Media," authored by Sandra Pesmen, Crain Books 1983 and "The 23 Most Common Mistakes in P.R.," by Alex Benn, American Management Association (N.Y.) 1980.

She has also authored several travel and health/fitness articles for “Today’s Chicago Woman.”

Earlier in her career, Edwards was an account supervisor with Daniel J. Edelman, Inc. in Chicago. During her four years at Edelman, she directed local, national and international programs that served a wide range of clientele in corporate, marketing, and community public relations. Accounts included: Kohler, Dow Chemical, Wilson Sporting Goods, Illinois Center, Harbor Point condominiums, Galena Territory, SOS Kinderdorf Villages.

Edwards is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a bachelor of science degree in journalism (majoring in public relations, minoring in advertising), and was listed in "Who's Who Among American College Students."

She resides on Chicago's North Side with her husband and two rescued dogs.