Robert Mathias, President of Ogilvy Washington, was inducted into the PR People Hall of Fame today. PR News honored Mathias alongside four public relations executives an awards luncheon at the National Press Club.
"Rob has navigated the cross-currents in the intersection of public relations and public affairs, particularly for brands working in a regulated environment," said Steve Goldstein, Editorial Director at PR News. "It's time to celebrate his achievements on behalf of his organization."
In his 20-year career at Ogilvy Public Relations, Mathias served as head of its San Francisco office and, for the last 14 years, head of Ogilvy's office in Washington DC. Under Mathias's leadership, Ogilvy Washington grew to be largest office in the network, producing landmark campaigns on behalf of the Federal government, trade associations and corporations. He has also held positions at the Presidential Commission on the HIV Epidemic under President Reagan and the U.S. Department of Energy under President George H.W. Bush.
"I was drawn to Ogilvy because of Rob's legacy of understanding the importance of strategic communications in advancing government programs—a trait that can be rare among top DC public relations executives," said Tony Silva, Executive Vice President in Ogilvy's Social Change practice. "From social impact programs to risk communications, he values and appreciates the important work that we do."
Now in its 10th year, the PR News Hall of Fame honors professional communicators who have played longtime leadership roles, serving as sources of inspiration within and beyond the workplace, and who have helped redefine and expand the roles communicators play.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by peers and by an industry leader like PR News," said Mathias. "I am humbled and grateful to be included among a group of outstanding honorees."
PR News nominated Mathias shortly after he announced his decision to leave the agency at the end of the year.
"I've been honored to work for Rob for my entire Ogilvy career," said Heather Innella, Senior Vice President. "He has been a mentor from whom I've learned and grown. I can't think of anyone more deserving of such recognition."
Mathias serves on the board of Yellowstone Forever and the LaGrant Foundation. In 2015, he was inducted into the PRSA-National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame.
About Ogilvy Public Relations
Ogilvy Public Relations (Ogilvy) is an award winning, multi-disciplinary, communications leader operating in more than 85 offices from every corner of the globe. In 2016, for the fifth consecutive year, it was crowned Cannes Lions Network of the Year and Ogilvy tops the Global Creative Index by the Holmes Report, where it has consistently ranked no. 1 or 2 since 2012. Ogilvy is the 2016 recipient of the PRWeek Global Creative Campaign of the Year and Non Profit Campaign of the Year, and holds the Consultancy of the Year titles in Asia Pacific and the Middle East by the Holmes Report. Ogilvy PR is a unit of Ogilvy & Mather, a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY), and deeply integrates with all disciplines (advertising, content+social, direct marketing, activation, promotional, and entertainment). For more information, visit our website at www.ogilvypr.com or follow us at @ogilvypr.
