CEO Today USA Awards

CEO Today USA Awards 2019 www.ceotodaymagazine.com - M A R Y L A N D - 54 RAY WEISS President of Weiss PR, Inc. About Weiss PR When co-founders Ray Weiss and Jessica Tiller started Weiss PR, Inc. in the midst of the 2008 recession, they were determined to create a different kind of public relations firm – one staffed with an experienced team of PR professionals, committed to providing exceptional service, great work, and measurable results. Eleven years later, Weiss PR has stayed true to its vision to provide clients with effective ideas built on strategy, not egos. That focus has paved the way for Weiss PR’s growth beyond a handful of clients in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area to PR assignments throughout the U.S. and internationally, including clients in New Zealand, Australia, Israel, India, Canada, Iceland, and the U.K. That focus was at the heart of the decision to bring former colleague Matthew Pugh on board in late 2013 to lead the firm’s already burgeoning technology practice. With Pugh at the helm, Weiss PR created and led award- winning public relations efforts for a wide range of start-up and established tech clients, from data centers and gaming/simulation companies to encryption and information security firms, internet providers, and software developers. While technology continues to comprise much of Weiss PR’s client portfolio, the firm has also built a strong reputation for its initiatives with commercial real estate companies, professional service firms, and, most especially, organizations in the healthcare and employee benefits space. Tiller’s deep understanding of the shifting healthcare and regulatory environment, in fact, led the firm to expand its base of client services beyond media and influencer relations, social media, and integrated marketing services – all of which are anchored by strategic communications planning – to include issue communications designed to help clients deal with legislative challenges and potential market shifts which could impact their future growth. Weiss PR also added a crisis communications capability. Often working in conjunction with a team of attorneys, corporate officers, and HR professionals, the firm regularly creates and implements crisis programs that enable clients to gain control of crisis situations, provide key audiences with timely and accurate information, and maintain or restore their reputations. In addition, the firm uses strategic planning, media training, and crisis scenario building to help organizations prepare crisis response protocols before problems arise. While always evolving, one constant remains: Weiss PR’s ability to help businesses and non- profit organizations reach, engage, and influence the right audiences in order to achieve their communications and business objectives. It is that constant that continues to guide the firm, regardless of what the future holds. ABOUT RAY WEISS Before co-founding Weiss PR in 2008, Ray Weiss already had a 30 year career in public relations under his belt, which included positions in academia, economic development, and the legal community. Weiss joined a national PR firm as a Partner in 1992, establishing that firm’s Baltimore office and successfully managing it for 16 years. During that time, he created communications initiatives for a wide range of major corporations and non-profits. He also handled public relations for an array of special events, from Pope John Paul II’s 1995 visit to the U.S. to the world-renowned Preakness Stakes to a benefit concert for first responders featuring the legendary Johnny Cash. A graduate of Loyola College (now University) Maryland, Weiss is a two-time winner of the PR profession’s most prestigious award, the Silver Anvil. He has served on the boards of Leadership Maryland, the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, the BioTechnical Institute of MD, and the Greater Baltimore Technology Council. Most importantly, Weiss is a proud father and grandfather, as well as an avid bird watcher – specializing in Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles and pro football’s Baltimore Ravens. www.weisspr.com Eleven years later, Weiss PR has stayed true to its vision to provide clients with effective ideas built on strategy, not egos.