2011 PR News Hall of Fame: Melissa Waggener Zorkin

CEO, President & Founder, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

In 1983, Waggener Zorkin formed an agency with business partner Pam Edstrom. Today, Waggener Edstrom has grown to more than 800 employees, a fact that Waggener Zorkin takes great pride in. “Without a doubt my proudest accomplishment has been our ability to build a large, independent agency that continually gets and keeps great people,” she says.

While giving props to employees, it’s well known that Waggener Zorkin takes a hands-on approach to leadership, continually expanding into new practice areas, serving global healthcare, consumer PR and marketing, corporate communications and public affairs clients. She believes that even with the advent of digital and integrated influence, “the essence of relationships, storytelling, engagement and driving all of those to impact is intrinsically tied to the future of PR.” In other words, with communications, it’s back to the future. —SVC

See the 2011 PR People Award Winners