Porter Novelli

The firm was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1972 by Bill Novelli and Jack Porter, advertising executives, who worked together to market the Peace Corps. The company's first major client was the National Institutes of Health, for whom they created the National High Blood Pressure Education Program.{{Cite web |date=1999-01-05 |title=The Pennsylvania Gazette: Taking on the Tobacco Giants |url=https://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0199/lonkevich4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810181653/https://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0199/lonkevich4.html |archive-date=2022-08-10 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=University of Pennsylvania}}

In 1981, an advertising agency in Chicago called Needham Harper Steers acquired Porter Novelli, turning the agency into Needham Porter Novelli, with offices in additional cities. Needham merged with Omnicom in 1988, at which point Porter Novelli expanded internationally. The firm established Porter Novelli International in 1996, partnering with UK firm Countrywide Communications Group, another Omnicom agency.{{cite news|last1=Nicholas|first1=Kate|title=NEWS: 1996 Mad cows, fat cats and blue Pepsi|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/95813/news-1996-mad-cows-fat-cats-blue-pepsi|accessdate=15 May 2017|work=PRWeek|date=13 December 1996}}

Helen Ostrowski became CEO of the company in 2001, the first female CEO of a top 10 PR firm; she served in that role until 2008.{{cite news|last1=Chandiramani|first1=Ravi|title=Profile: Helen Ostrowski, global chief executive, Porter Novelli|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/603311/profile-helen-ostrowski-global-chief-executive-porter-novelli|work=PR Week|date=November 8, 2006}}{{cite news|title=Editors' Choice 2009: Who to watch|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1273756/editors-choice-2009-watch|work=PR Week|date=January 5, 2009}} In 2006 most of the company's revenue came from the Information technology sector, followed by the pharmaceutical sector. The company formed a new business unit in 2006 dedicated specifically to the biotechnology industry.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Kirsty |title=Porter Novelli forms dedicated biotech biz |url=https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2006/01/17/Porter-Novelli-forms-dedicated-biotech-biz |accessdate=3 June 2019 |work=Outsourcing-Pharma.com |date=17 January 2006}} From 1988 to 2016, Hewlett-Packard was a major client of the firm, including when Hewlett-Packard split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015.{{cite news |date=27 September 2016 |title=Edelman Wins Lucrative HP Inc Global PR Duties |work=The Holmes Report |url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/edelman-wins-lucrative-hp-inc-global-pr-duties |accessdate=19 July 2019}}{{cite news |date=1 May 2017 |title=Porter Novelli - Looking to New Areas |work=PR Week |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1430488/porter-novelli-looking-new-areas |accessdate=19 July 2019}}

The company created a Jack + Bill "popup agency" in September 2008 led by eight younger Porter Novelli employees.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/business/media/16adco.html | work=The New York Times | title=A Pop-Up Agency Shows Off Emerging Talent | first=Stuart | last=Elliott | date=September 16, 2008 | accessdate=May 22, 2010}} In 2008 several senior managers left along with Ostrowski, and Gary Stockman was made CEO.

In 2011, Porter Novelli acquired Silicon Valley–based Voce Communications.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Tonya |title=Porter Novelli Acquires Voce |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/porter-novelli-acquires-voce/ |accessdate=3 June 2019 |work=Adweek |date=24 February 2011}} That same year, several senior executives left the firm, including its global digital director, director of global health and regulatory affairs, executive VP for strategic planning and research, senior VP for global digital and PR and its executive VPs for global content director and social media.{{cite news|last1=Dickson|first1=Virgil|title=Goldberg exits Porter Novelli after just six months|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1278976/goldberg-exits-porter-novelli-just-six-months|date=June 12, 2012}} Departures continued in 2012 with departures of Stockman, the CFO, the chief marketing officer, and the president.{{cite news|last1=Bruell|first1=Alexandra|title=More Turmoil in Porter Novelli's C-Suite|url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/turmoil-porter-novelli-s-c-suite/235741/|work=Ad Age|date=July 2, 2012|language=en}}{{cite news|title=Gary Stockman to Leave Porter Novelli|url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/gary-stockman-leave-porter-novelli/235567/|work=Ad Age|date=June 22, 2012|language=en}}{{cite news|title=Porter Novelli President Julie Winskie Exits Firm|url=http://adage.com/article/people-players/porter-novelli-president-julie-winskie-exits-firm/232224/|work=Ad Age|date=January 19, 2012|language=en}} Karen van Bergen was selected as the new CEO in December 2012.{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Lynsey |title=Karen van Bergen named Porter Novelli global CEO |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1164638/karen-van-bergen-named-porter-novelli-global-ceo |accessdate=3 June 2019 |work=PR Week |date=17 December 2012}} In November 2013, the Navy Federal Credit Union filed a complaint against the firm in the San Diego County Superior Court to collect payment on a contract.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-24 |title=Navy Federal Credit Union vs. Porter |url=https://unicourt.com/case/ca-sd-navy-federal-credit-union-vs-porter-205342 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220810184855/https://unicourt.com/case/ca-sd-navy-federal-credit-union-vs-porter-205342 |archive-date=2022-08-10 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=UniCourt |language=en}} Brad MacAfee then became CEO in February 2016, when van Bergen rose to the role of CEO of parent Omnicom Public Relations Group.{{cite web|last1=Lazare|first1=Lewis|title=Porter Novelli names Brad MacAfee to top global post|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2016/02/29/porter-novelli-names-brad-macafee-to-top-global.html|website=Chicago Business Journal|accessdate=17 April 2017}} David Bentley became the CEO in March 2020, replacing Brad MacAfee.{{cite news |last1=Czarnecki |first1=Sean |title=Porter Novelli's CEO reveals how he's turning around the PR firm by helping tie companies to social issues |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/omnicom-pr-firm-porter-novelli-ceo-reveals-comeback-plan-2021-4 |access-date=24 March 2022 |work=Business Insider}}

In 2017, Omnicom shifted Cone Communications under Porter Novelli, although Cone retains its separate brand.{{cite news|last1=Czarnecki|first1=Sean|title=Omnicom shifts Cone Communications under Porter Novelli|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1423847/omnicom-shifts-cone-communications-porter-novelli|accessdate=15 May 2017|work=PRWeek|date=9 February 2017}} In 2018, Porter Novelli launched a "purpose practice" for organizations focused on corporate social responsibility.{{cite news |last1=Marszalek |first1=Diana |title=New Porter Novelli Practice Puts Purpose Under One Group |url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/new-porter-novelli-practice-puts-purpose-under-one-group |accessdate=18 June 2019 |work=The Holmes Report |date=13 February 2018}}{{cite news |title=Porter Novelli |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1582146/porter-novelli |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=PR Week |date=23 April 2019}} The company has also researched how advertising that features a brand's purpose affects consumer perception.{{cite news |last1=Czarnecki |first1=Sean |title=Eight in 10 consumers say they're more loyal to purpose-driven brands: Cone |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1466208/eight-10-consumers-say-theyre-loyal-purpose-driven-brands-cone |accessdate=18 June 2019 |work=PRWeek |date=30 May 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Marszalek |first1=Diana |title=Study: For Consumers, Brand Purpose Is Emotional |url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/study-for-consumers-brand-purpose-is-emotional |accessdate=18 June 2019 |work=The Holmes Report |date=29 May 2019}}

In 2022, the firm co-published research with the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disability and the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, studying the use of a paid digital marketing campaign to promote a mobile childhood developmental tracking application.{{Cite journal |last1=Arshanapally |first1=Suraj |last2=Green |first2=Katie |last3=Slaughter |first3=Karnesha |last4=Muller |first4=Robert |last5=Wheaton |first5=Demeika |date=2022-04-05 |title=Use of a Paid Digital Marketing Campaign to Promote a Mobile Health App to Encourage Parent-Engaged Developmental Monitoring: Implementation Study |journal=JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |language=en |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=e34425 |doi=10.2196/34425 |issn=2561-6722 |pmc=9019642 |pmid=35380545 |doi-access=free }}

Jillian Janaczek, formerly of Burson Cohn & Wolfe, became CEO in August 2023, following David Bentley's departure in June 2023.{{cite news |last1=Marszalek |first1=Diana |title=Jillian Janaczek Appointed Porter Novelli CEO |url=https://www.provokemedia.com/latest/article/jillian-janaczek-appointed-porter-novelli-ceo |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=PRovoke Media |date=7 August 2023 |language=en}}

Between 2017 and 2020, Porter Novelli earned more than $5 million in taxpayer funds to promote the public profile of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, a Trump administration official. In September 2020 the House Committee on Oversight and Reform released a report outlining how Porter Novelli used taxpayer funds to promote Verma, and detailing how Porter Novelli shuffled money to private Republican political operators including Nahigian Strategies, Pam Stevens, and nearly two dozen other Republican contractors. The committee stated that CMS "potentially" violated the law by directing taxpayer funds.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-10|title=Democratic Committee Leaders Release Report Detailing Abuse of Taxpayer Funds by Top Trump Administration Official|url=https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/democratic-committee-leaders-release-report-detailing-abuse-of-taxpayer-funds-by|access-date=2020-09-12|website=House Committee on Oversight and Reform|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Williamson|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-09-10|title=Investigation of Medicare Chief Exposes Underside of Washington|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/us/politics/seema-verma-investigation.html|access-date=2020-09-11|issn=0362-4331}}

Porter Novelli has received attention for campaigns including an HIV prevention campaign for the Centers for Disease Control,{{cite news|last1=Quenqua|first1=Douglas|title=CDC hands Porter Novelli HIV-prevention brief|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/226125/cdc-hands-porter-novelli-hiv-prevention-brief|accessdate=12 May 2017|work=PRWeek|date=29 October 2004}} the USDA MyPyramid food guidance system,{{cite web|last1=Van Der Pool|first1=Lisa|title=Porter Novelli Wins PR Contract With USDA|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/porter-novelli-wins-pr-contract-usda-73680/|website=Adweek|date=13 July 2004 |accessdate=16 May 2017}} the M&M's Global Color Vote,{{cite news |last1=Severson |first1=Kim |title=When a Food Marketer Devises Nutrition Advice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/10/politics/when-a-food-marketer-devises-nutrition-advice.html |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=10 April 2005}}{{cite web|last1=Holmes|first1=Paul|title=M&M's Global Color Vote|url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/m-m-s-global-color-vote|website=Holmes Report|accessdate=16 May 2017}} and the Almond Board of California's "Carpe PM" campaign.{{cite news |last1=Frederick |first1=David |title=Almond Board of California Shows Consumers How to Crunch the Afternoon Crash |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1447993/almond-board-california-shows-consumers-crunch-afternoon-crash |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=PR Week |date=20 October 2017}} In 1998, the firm launched Florida's anti-tobacco "Truth" campaign,{{cite news|last1=Zbar|first1=Jeffery D.|title=National PR Society Awards Anvil To Novelli For Anti-smoking Ads|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-06-28/business/9906250668_1_teen-tobacco-summit-tobacco-industry-tobacco-control|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306035139/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-06-28/business/9906250668_1_teen-tobacco-summit-tobacco-industry-tobacco-control|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2015|accessdate=12 May 2017|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=28 June 1999}} which expanded nationally two years later.{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Stuart |title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; 'Youth' rhymes with 'Truth,' and both are central to a big new national campaign against smoking. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/04/business/media-business-advertising-youth-rhymes-with-truth-both-are-central-big-new.html |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=4 February 2000}} The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 2009 gave the firm a three-year contract to support its "Learn More Breathe Better" campaign for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease awareness.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Jaimy |title=NHLBI hires PN to buoy COPD awareness efforts |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1272280/nhlbi-hires-pn-buoy-copd-awareness-efforts |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=PR Week |date=16 April 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Paul |title=Porter Novelli Wins New NHLBI Business |url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/porter-novelli-wins-new-nhlbi-business |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=The Holmes Report |date=25 April 2009}} In 2015, Porter Novelli helped facilitate the Ice Bucket Challenge with the ALS Association, and guided the campaign to receive more national and international media attention.{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=Laura|title=Comms team goes all hands on deck amid ALS fundraising phenomenon|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1354290/comms-team-goes-hands-deck-amid-als-fundraising-phenomenon|accessdate=9 May 2017|work=PR Week|date=2 July 2015}}

Porter Novelli was hired by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, designated with the task to attract businesses to the state, to rebrand Indiana's image after backlash from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed into law in March 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/indiana-pr-firm_n_7056268.html | work=The Huffington Post | title=Indiana Hires PR Firm To Rebuild Image After 'Religious Freedom' Fiasco | last=Terkel | first=Amanda | date=April 13, 2015 | accessdate=April 13, 2015}} The state considered eight other firms before selecting Porter Novelli. The state rejected Porter Novelli's suggestions of sponsoring the Silicon Valley Pride Festival or content in Pride Magazine.{{cite news |last1=Washkuch |first1=Frank |title=Indiana considered Edelman, Levick, Sitrick before hiring Porter Novelli last spring for 'Religious Freedom' response |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1385940/indiana-considered-edelman-levick-sitrick-hiring-porter-novelli-last-spring-religious-freedom-response |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=PR Week |date=2 March 2016}} The firm was fired after only three months.[http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/porter-novelli-gov-mike-pence-tight-lipped-on-religious-freedom-relationship/116053 Porter Novelli, Gov. Mike Pence Tight-Lipped on ‘Religious Freedom’ Relationship] Adweek, 2015

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