What Is National Publicist Day and How Is It Celebrated?

The History of National Publicist Day

On October 28, 1906, a train derailed in New Jersey and plunged into a nearby creek. The crash killed 50 people. At the time, it was standard practice for companies in crisis to gloss over the issue and limit communication with the media and the public. However, Ivy Ledbetter Lee, the founder of one of America’s first public relations firms, decided to take a novel approach to the issue with his client, the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Ivy Lee recommended the Pennsylvania Railroad demonstrate transparency and honesty. He advised the railroad to transport reporters to the accident site for a briefing and question and answer session with executives. Furthermore, on October 30, Ivy Lee wrote the world’s first press release in the New York Times.

The public and the media heralded the railroad, and Lee, for the novel approach that expressed concern for passenger safety and accountability for the accident. The approach was so successful, other companies began to adopt the same strategy— and the public relations profession took off!

How To Celebrate National Publicist Day

In 2015, The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Publicist Day as the 30th day of October each year. With this day officially in the books— it’s only logical to celebrate it! Show appreciation for your public relations specialist or team by giving them a shout out on social media, or buying them a coffee. If you are a public relations specialist, invite your other PR friends out for lunch and celebrate together.