Harold Burson

Harold Burson, one of the world’s most successful public relations practitioners, will be honored Friday, February 18 when Boston University’s College of Communication (COM) helps him celebrate his 90th birthday with a symposium beginning at 1 p.m. in the Colloquium Room of the Photonics Center (8 St. Mary’s Street, Boston).  The event is free and open to the public.

Burson co-founded Burson-Marsteller, a leading public relations agency, with Bill Marsteller in 1953 and has been credited with introducing integrated communication marketing to public relations practice. Throughout his career, Burson has supported public relations research and education, developing training programs and mentoring young professionals. His company has a long history of collaboration with BU and has hired many Boston University COM graduates.  He also is responsible for funding the Harold Burson Professor and Chair in Public Relations at COM.

In 2000, PR Week named Burson as “the century’s most influential PR figure” in recognition of a culmination of more than 50 years of service as a counselor to and confidante of corporate CEOs, government leaders and heads of public sector institutions.

The highlight of BU’s birthday celebration will consist of a speech by Burson and he will be recognized and honored through remarks by COM students, alumni and faculty.