Public Relations Business Plan

Birk Grunola
Birk received a BS in communications and environmental science from the University of Oregon.  Beyond school, Birk went to work for the Weyerhauser corporation in their marketing department. After six years, Birk was promoted to the head of the in-house staff for external communications.  It was his responsibility to shape the public’s perception of Weyerhauser as an environmental corporate citizen.  After five years at this position Birk began looking for an opportunity that would give him more flexibility and autonomy.

Arbor Hugger
Arbor received a biology degree from American University.  After college, Arbor went to work for the Environmental Protection Industry (EPA) in Washington D.C.  Arbor had varying degrees of responsibility at the EPA, ultimately working as a manager for external communications.   After 10 years at the EPA, Arbor was seeking a more progressive, less bureaucratic organization to serve.  Arbor was able to leverage his skills at the EPA and parlay it into a position as the PR director for the National Gas Exploration Association.  At this position, Arbor was responsible for all of the external communications of the Association, crisis management, and management of publicity events.  After three years Arbor was searching for a more flexible opportunity.  Through the years, Arbor remained in contact with his best friend from high school, Birk.  On a specific vacation retreat the two took together, they became cognizant of the fact that both were somewhat unhappy at their current jobs and were looking for new opportunities.  This revelation lead to a year of dialogue between the two at which point they both decided to leave their current jobs and start their own firm.

7.1 Personnel Plan

Birk and Arbor are the two principals of the firm.  They will hire a part-time administrative assistant by month four.