Al Golin, the founder of the global PR firm Golin, passed away at age 87. Golin had an illustrious 60-year career in public relations and was best known for his decades-long work with McDonald's, helping to create many of their iconic programs. Numerous industry leaders and former colleagues paid tribute to Golin, remembering him as a pioneer, legend, and mentor who was humble and passionate about his work. Golin's legacy continued to influence the PR industry and those whose lives and careers he touched.

1. Al Golin In Memoriam
Tribute Coverage and Conversation
April 11, 2017

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"His importance to the success of McDonald's
could never be overstated," said Shelby
Yastrow, a former McDonald's general counsel.
"Al had the uncanny ability to see around
corners, and to see the road ahead and smooth
the bumps before we got there."
“Golin worked with Kroc and every
McDonald's leader since. He had a hand in
creating or expanding famous programs for
the Oak Park, Illinois-based fast-food chain,
including Ronald McDonald House
Charities, the McDonald's All-American
High School Basketball Game, and the
McDonald's All-American High School
Band.”

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“Industry leaders and colleagues of Al Golin remembered the legacy of his 60-year
career in PR. Golin, who founded his firm in 1956, died Saturday. He was 87.
Golin had many notable career accomplishments, one being his decades-long
client relationship with McDonald’s, another growing and leading his PR firm into
an international agency with 1,500 staff and revenues in excess of $200 million.”

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Friends and colleagues remember his work and his friendship:
Harold Burson, founder, Burson-Marsteller
"Al Golin is a role model for those public relations professionals who aspire to lead a global agency. He was a
leader in every sense of the word. He was a magnet who brought together a stable of talented people who
displayed a special loyalty to him, his company, and his clients. He was what I would describe as ‘a quiet man.’
His deeds vis-a-vis his clients and the members of his staff were seldom self-proclaimed. He devoted a lifetime of
service to an outstanding client list and to the public relations community.”
Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman
"Al became a very good friend of my father’s, very true in the last 10 years of my dad's life. It started at the PR
Seminar and grew into something rather special. He and Al had a really strong relationship. They were both at
their heart marketing PR gurus and founders and had passed their firms along, in Al's case to Fred [Cook] and in
my father’s to me. That was a really lovely thing for my dad. He was the best of us."

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Fred Cook, chairman, Golin
"Dan [Edelman], Harold [Burson], and Al are three pioneers of the industry, and now only Harold is left. We've lost
a legend, somebody who was a founding father of PR. Al was always innovative in his time, even in his eighties
when we announced g4. Al was all in on g4 and thought it was a great idea, even when some of our senior
management were skeptical."
Gary Rudnick, co-CEO, Golin
"Every day, I have heard him interact with colleagues, strangers, clients, prospects and friends. He was always
interested, caring and unassuming. For him, it was just another conversation in his day. For the others, it was a
highlight - possibly of their entire career. Yet he treated each person with respect and as an equal. He had a gift
for that, and I was fortunate enough to witness it every day. McDonald's slogan for many years was ‘Billions and
Billions Served.’ In our industry, and in particular at our agency, that same slogan fit Al Golin. He ‘served’ so many
of us with his friendship, his wisdom, his humility, his creativity and his kindness. We are better professionals and
people for his influence, and he will never, ever be forgotten."

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Jon Hughes, co-CEO, Golin
"When so much of conversation is around what’s fake or famous, Al’s qualities of authenticity and humility stood
out all the more. He was genuine and genuinely interested in what was best for his clients and colleagues and he
was loved for it. Seeing the industry evolve so much meant he was never afraid of change. In the management
meeting when what would become g4 was first being talked about, Fred turned to Al and said 'Hey Al, what do
you think of all this? This is your firm we’re talking about ripping apart.' And Al said, as only he could, 'Well, Fred, if
you all think this is the best thing we can do for our clients and our firm then let’s go ahead and do it.' This was
very much a part of his ‘fix it before it breaks’ philosophy that he lived by.”
Matt Neale, co-CEO, Golin
"Befitting his role as a curious, creative gentleman, Al was one of the world’s great raconteurs. His stories were so
good, every time I travelled to Chicago I’d ask Al to retell them, even if by now I could almost quote him word for
word. One of the most famous in the agency, was the day Al and a friend travelled to Havana in the early 1950s,
only to discover Ernest Hemingway in the corner of a nightclub. The story involves paparazzi, a great American
novel, and a question about - how shall we put it – a man’s crown jewels! Now it’s our turn to pass on his stories
to those that weren't so fortunate to work with one of the founding fathers of public relations."

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Ellen Ryan Mardiks, vice-chair, Golin
"Al was a pioneer and a legend, but he never acted like one. That was key to his greatness. I have never met a
more genuine guy. I never heard him brag. He was proud, for sure, as he should have been. But this humble giant
led through inspiration, not intimidation, and that set the standard for all of us who carry on his legacy."
Scott Farrell, global corporate practice president, Golin
"Some of my best memories of 20 years at the agency Al founded were standing or sitting next to Al as he rocked
and swiveled in his favorite leather chair. I looked forward to those times. His counsel was always wise and spot
on. His ideas were fresh. His feedback was frank and honest. And his passion – for the work and the conversation
we were having – was palpable. He truly loved this business and it was evident in every word and action.”
Steve Easterbrook, CEO, McDonald's
"McDonald’s owes Al a tremendous debt of gratitude for all he accomplished in his partnership with us. We have
benefited for decades from his wisdom and leadership, from his friendship and his support."

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Jano Cabrera, corporate SVP of U.S. communications, McDonald’s
"He was a legendary figure in all things communications at McDonald’s. Certain names are held in high esteem:
Ray Kroc, Fred Turner, and Al Golin. Two of those were founders of the company, so that says something about Al
that even though he was an outside advisor, he was very much considered a member of the team. When I met Al
he was welcoming me to McDonald’s and I was struck by his use of language. It wasn't the founder of an agency
having a conversation with a client about how they can help. It was somebody who was part of the brand and
equally passionate about it, if not more so."
Travis Heriaud, franchise owner-operator, McDonald’s
"At McDonald’s he will be remembered as an artist who helped shape this brand, telling our story to the world –
that in addition to being a burger restaurant company, McDonald’s is a centerpiece of our communities and the
franchisees are ambassadors of the brand. He will be missed and his passion and knack for storytelling will
continue to inspire us.”
Renee Wilson, president, PR Council
"Our industry has lost a legend and a pioneer. Al Golin’s legacy touches us all. I love his motto: 'fix it before it
breaks.' It’s an inspiration to our whole industry during this time of great transformation."

10. “Al Golin was a member of PR’s equivalent of ‘the greatest
generation,’ a group of entrepreneurs—Dan Edelman and Harold
Burson were the other most prominent examples—who helped to
create the modern public relations agency business. Golin died
this weekend at his home in Arizona.”
“His legacy lives on through McDonald’s annual Al Golin Trust Bank Award,
established in 1992, and Al’s Day – a global day of service to honor Golin's strong
belief in giving back to the community. Each year around Al’s birthday, Golin offices
around the world close their doors and employees collectively participate in service
activities to help make a difference in their local communities.”

11. “More than just the mind behind one of PR's
most successful agencies, Al Golin made
many contributions to the evolution of public
relations, launching groundbreaking socially
minded initiatives, mentoring scores of PR
professionals and making the greater good a
core part of his company's culture.”
“…there is no doubt that Al helped
shape the lives and careers of countless
individuals who mourn his passing
today.”

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"Al's name is on our door but it is much more his
character that defines who we are," added Cook.
"He was a hard-working, honest, humorous guy
who defined what made our culture special and I
have strived over the past 30 years to extend that
culture and honor his legacy.”
“Al Golin, founder of the world’s largest global PR
agencies Golin passed away peacefully Saturday, April
8 at his second home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 87 and
had never retired, continuing to provide counsel to his
namesake firm, even in his final weeks.”

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“What I will remember most about him is that despite his career
accomplishments, his genius for PR and his near-legendary status, he
was one of the most modest, humble men I’ve ever met. He was a
gentleman in a business where gentlemen are rare. Although his
name was on the door, it was never about him – it was always about
the work and the team.
I will miss him, but his generous spirit and positive influence live on in
everyone who was privileged to work by his side.”
“Kid, you need to go for it.” The words of wisdom from Al
Golin, a man I was fortunate to have as a mentor. He was
inspirational in the launch of CommPRO.biz back in
2010. We “went for it.” While we are all sad to learn of Al’s
passing, CommPRO wants to celebrate the life and
accomplishments of this public relations pioneer.

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“Kroc trusted him completely,” his friend Chuck Ebeling
said in an obit posted by the Chicago Sun--Times. “He was
really a pioneer of modern communications. Al was
instrumental in the creation of the brand’s community
outreach and messaging.”
Golin se convirtió en asesor de comunicación de McDonald's a
finales de la década de los 50 cuando aún la cadena de comida rápida
no había despegado. Fruto del éxito de la relación contractual con
McDonald’s Golin fundó su propia agencia de comunicación, con la
que trabajó con clientes como Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, o Unilever.

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Links to News Coverage
Campaign US
Chicago Business Journal
Chicago Sun-Times
Crain's Chicago Business
CommPro
Culpwrit
Diverge
The Holmes Report
Linhart PR Blog
O’Dwyers
PR News Online
PR Noticias
PR Week
PR Week (Industry Tribute)

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Employee Tributes
A selection of tributes by current and former employees who
showed their love and appreciation for Al on social media.

18. Fred Cook
Chairman
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19. Ellen Ryan
Mardiks
Vice Chair
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20. Gary Rudnick
CEO+ Operations
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21. Jonathan Hughes
CEO+ International
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22. Matt Neale
CEO+ Vision
22

23. Caroline Dettman
Chief Creative and
Community Officer
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24. Brian Beck
Chief Financial Officer
24

25. Scott Farrell
President, Global
Corporate Communications
25

26. Patti Temple
Rocks
Chief Innovation Officer
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27. Ginger Porter
President, Midwest Region
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28. Jeff Beringer
Global Practice Leader, Digital
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29. Dave Duschene
Executive Director
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30. Erin Gallagher
Director
30

31. Alex Tan
Deputy Managing Director, Dallas
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32. Matt West
Global Head of Training
and Facilitation
32

33. Amy Kennedy
Executive Director
33

34. Carey Beck
Executive Director
34

35. Farah Speer
Executive Director
35

36. Sam Schwarz
Executive Director
36

37. Brian Snyder
Executive Director
37

38. Julie Dixon
Executive Director
38

39. Emily Peterson
Executive Director
39

40. Ron D’Innocenzo
Executive Director
40

41. Hortensia Natase
VP of Creative Services, Romania
41

42. Kristen Kelley
Director
42

43. Katherine Riemer
Director
43

44. Meghan Phillips
Director
44

45. Brian Camen
Director
45

46. Jacqi Moore
Director
46

47. Alexandra
Demers
Senior Media Manager
47

48. Chad Concelmo
Senior PR Writer
48

49. Kay Brungs
Senior Manager
49

50. Tony Ramirez
Information Technology
50

51. Evan Miller
Former Employee and
Current Client
51

52. Molly Keveney
Former Employee and
Current Client
52

53. Dane Roth
Former Employee
53

54. Zandra Zuno
Baermann
Former Employee
54

55. Molly Lynch
Murphy
Former Employee
55

56. Martin Oleksy
Former Employee
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57. Jennifer Cohan
Former Employee
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58. Jillian
McMenamin
Former Employee
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59. Anne Hogan
Former Employee
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60. Krystal Loewe
Former Employee
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61. Megan Griffin
Former Employee
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62. Melissa Brotz
Former Employee
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63. Jessica Brubaker
Former Employee
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64. Mike Cummins
Former Employee
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65. Josh Morton
Former Employee
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66. Robyn Bruns
Former Employee
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67. Lane Bailey
Former Employee
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68. Jeff Leshay
Former Employee
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Industry Tributes
A selection of posts by industry leaders, outlets, agencies and clients who also honored Al.

70. McDonald’s
Client
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71. McDonald’s
Client
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72. Ronald McDonald
House Charities
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73. Steve
Easterbook
Client: CEO, McDonald’s
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74. Bob Parker
Client: National Peanut Board
74

75. Karen van
Bergen
CEO, Omnicom
Public Relations Group
75

76. Brad MacAfee
CEO, Porter Novelli
76

77. Linda Martin
Managing Director, Porter Novelli
77

78. Brenda Deely
EVP, Porter Novelli
78

79. Mike Fernandez
CEO, Burson-Marsteller U.S.
79

80. Bill Whitman Jr.
Former Managing Director,
Burson-Marsteller
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81. Michael Kempner
CEO, MWWPR
81

82. Judy Phair
Former President and CEO, PRSA
82

83. Mike Love
PR Adviser, Burson-Marsteller UK
83

84. Ron Culp
Former Managing Director,
Ketchum; Current Director,
DePaul PR Graduate Program
84

85. Matt Ragas
DePaul University PR Graduate
Program Professor
85

86. Steve Barrett
Editor, PR Week
86

87. Matthew
Hutchinson
Communication Executive,
Tribune Publishing
87

88. Paula Pedene
PRSA Fellow and Silver Anvil
Award Winner
88

89. Betsy Berkhemer
Former President & Founder,
Berkhemer & Klein
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90. David Prosperi
Former VP Global Public
Relations, Aon
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PR Council
Industry Outlet

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Plank Center
for PR
Alabama PR Leadership Center

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Edelman Chicago
Agency

94. Sheila Musolino
Client: CEO, Ronald McDonald
House Charities
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95. Rosanna M. Fiske
Client: VP Corporate
Communications, Wells Fargo
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