-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 11:08 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Pat Jackson


March 16, 2001

TO:     Members of the Public Relations Society of America

FR:     Kathleen L. Lewton, APR, Fellow PRSA
Chair and CEO, Public Relations Society of America

It is with the most profound sadness that I share with you the news that one
of the greatest leaders of the public relations profession, and certainly
the most dedicated leader of the Public Relations Society of America in
recent times, has left us far, far too soon.

Patrick Jackson, APR, Fellow PRSA, senior counselor of Jackson, Jackson and
Wagner, president of PRSA in 1980 and the 1986 Gold Anvil winner, died on
Friday in his home in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Our love and prayers are with his wife, Stacy; their children, Alexandra and
Jeremy; his other children Richard, Kevin, Pamela, Roberta; his brother and
PRSA Board member T. Michael Jackson; other family members; his partners and
colleagues at JJW, including our dear colleague Isobel Parke, and all of
those who have had the privilege of knowing this remarkable man and who will
be so bereft without him

Pat was that rare combination of genius and generosity.   He was forever on
the forefront of refining and redefining the contemporary practice of public
relations.  Pat was the most fervent advocate of practicing public relations
both as an art and a science, and he forged new ground in terms of
establishing our profession as an integral part of the management of
businesses, organizations, government and public service.  His vision
sometimes exceeded our grasp, but he was unceasing in his commitment to
teach us and inspire us to take public relations into new realms, new
responsibilities.  He showed us what public relations could be at its very
best, and then by his own professional achievements and his tireless
commitment to teaching and lecturing and writing, he helped us learn.

This true genius, when combined with his generous spirit, played an integral
role -- no, the integral role -- in the development of the Public Relations
Society into the organization it is today.  He was alwaays there, to chair a
blue ribbon task force or counsel on a thorny problem; to help us see our
way through an issue or create a new way of doing things.  Without his
incisive and insightful leadership that continued, full force, long after
his term on the national board ended, PRSA today would be a far less
successful organization

Similarly, Pat extended his wisdom and his warmth to countless numbers of
individual practitioners, who would call, or write, or grab his arm after a
presentation and say "Could I ask you for just a little advice."  He never
said no.  He always called back, whether it was from an airport pay phone or
his car on the way to the airport.  He was there for every fellow
professional, with no questions asked and no reward expected/

He did it because he loved our profession --  truly, truly loved public
relations.  Let us never forget his passion, his enormous energy and
enthusiasm, the way he careed so much about our profession, our Society, and
the people of public relations.   Let us be inspired by his life to try and
follow in his footsteps, because even though we can never achieve his
greatness, by the very act of trying, we will give tribute to his memory.

True role models that one can respect professionally and love personally
happen only rarely in a lifetime.   His passing leaves a void that can never
be filled.  We will miss him so very, very much.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information:
Gail Winslow-Pine or Roger Stephenson
Jackson Jackson & Wagner 603/778-1220

PATRICK JACKSON, APR, FELLOW PRSA
Public relations counsel, editor, author, speaker, teacher

Exeter, NH,  March 26 -- Patrick John Jackson of Rye, New Hampshire, died at
his home Thursday, March 22nd.  He was 68.
Jackson founded Jackson Jackson & Wagner in 1956 and became one of the most
widely known and respected practitioners in the field of public relations.
He was often referred to as "the public relations counselor's counsel."
Jackson advised clients and colleagues on almost every national issue since
the 1950s.    Peers will remember Jackson as always committed to advancing
behavioral public relations to any leader who wanted his or her organization
to flourish.   In her nomination of Jackson for the Gold Anvil Award, the
highest award given by the Public Relations Society of America, former
Dayton Hudson Vice President Ann Barkelew, now with Fleishman Hillard, said
in 1985:
"Students and veterans alike line up for the chance to learn from Patrick...
he inspires us to 'stretch and grow' ... and prods those who think they
don't need to keep on growing."

Jackson often said the clients served by his firm "ranged from starving
non-profits to international Fortune 50 companies," and a peer, introducing
Jackson before his speech to the Council for the Advancement and Support of
Education, described him as "the only practicing public relations
philosopher."
Among clients he has served are 6 Cabinet-level federal agencies & numerous
government departments; Fortune 100 companies in a variety of industries;
national educational organizations & school districts in 39 states;
prominent colleges & universities; professional societies & trade
associations; a wide range of healthcare institutions; & many nonprofit
public interest entities.
Under his leadership in the 60s & 70s, JJ&W concentrated public interest and
activists groups in the environment, consumer, civil liberties, civil
rights, physical rehabilitation & other movements. JJ&W is considered the
first public relations firm to practice in the area of environmental issues
and grassroots movements beginning in 1964.  Among Jackson's proudest
achievements was providing counsel and guidance to the first environmental
coalition effort to permanently protect open space through the current-use
tax change in New Hampshire.
Over 300 colleges & universities use Jackson's textbook, Public Relations
Practices, a compilation and examination of case studies.  Jackson served as
editor of pr reporter for over three decades.  pr reporter is one of the
foremost international public relations newsletters in the field of public
relations featuring cutting-edge theories and hands-on advice.

Jackson insisted JJ&W was a "behavioral" public relations & management
consulting firm and made sure it was described accurately.  His consistent
focus was on motivating, modifying or reinforcing behavior among clients'
stakeholder groups - rather than advising them on communication or
promotional programs.  Jackson's Behavioral Model has been adopted as the
standard by hundreds of practicing public relations professionals throughout
North America.
He also founded Jackson Jackson & Wagner's research subsidiary, Dudley
Research in 1982.  Its philosophy is based on the premise that true public
relations research, beyond the statistical calisthenics of today, is rooted
in what motivates a person to act.  Jackson felt few firms were doing the
essential kind of behaviorally-based, qualitative research.
Jackson was President of Public Relations Society of America and also one of
26 Founding Members of the Society's College of Fellows in 1989; he remained
an active leadership in PRSA.  He participated in local & regional
government bodies & civic organizations for three decades.  These include
land use & other regulatory or appeals boards, historical societies,
conservation & agricultural organizations, social welfare, public
broadcasting & several others (See Sidebars 1 & 2 - Awards & Civic
Activities).

He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Kenyon College and
received his master's degree in Education Administration from Antioch
College.
He is survived by his wife, Stacey E. Smith and their children Alexandra and
Jeremy.  His other children include Richard Jackson of Falls Church, VA;
Kevin Jackson of Hyde Park, UT; Pamela Sadler of Cotapaxi, CO; Roberta
Trefts of Bejing, China; twenty-one grandchildren; and eight
great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by one daughter, Jennie.  He is also
survived by his brother T. Michael Jackson of Traverse City, MI; and his
long-time partner Isobel Parke of Epping.
A public memorial service is being planned for Sunday, April 22nd at West
Epping Friends Meeting at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at Tributary
Farm.  Details will be posted on Jackson Jackson & Wagner's website,
www.jjwpr.com.

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