Fineman PR

For food industry business — as producers, retailers and responsible employers — the impact of the last year will reverberate for decades. The speed by which critical information (and misinformation) is shared and the crucial nature of getting it right, especially when it comes to human health and safety. The changes in our professional world – one charged with contributing to a safer milieu, preserving precious resources, evolving healthcare and society itself – will continue, as will the changes in our daily lives. A trust mindset for business and for ourselves will help evolve how we communicate, how we connect, how we function, and how we support a constantly shifting consumer marketplace and food supply.

This rings true for Fineman PR: In November, Fineman PR was acquired by Phoenix-based, full-service marketing communications firm Off Madison Ave, exactly 32 years to the date (November 1, 1988) that I started my San Francisco public relations agency. Twenty years in, a new age was upon us, an age of videos, social media, clever digital graphics, significantly shorter attention spans and an exponential surge of online media outlets, citizen journalists and web-based forums. From representing the two distinguished Napa Valley wineries that, 20 years previously, put California’s wine industry on the map (beating their French competitors in the 1976 Paris Blind Tasting), to creating memorable Brand PR programs for countless consumer packaged goods and natural foods brands; to coordinating major client events all the way to the White House; and supporting crisis clients around the clock in their most dire moments to do the right thing by their customers, employees and communities. Besides being like-minded about our areas of expertise and our mutually dry senses of humor, and with David’s agency based on the solid principles of behavior design and digital communications, Off Madison Ave specialized in areas that we sought growth.

Market expansion will offer clients additional PR, behavioral marketing, digital and advertising services Off Madison Ave, a Phoenix-based behavioral marketing and communications firm, today announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based, award-winning public relations agency Fineman PR. Fineman PR’s extensive track record is focused on crisis communications and issues management, brand PR, digital media interactions and full-service public relations. The acquisition enhances Off Madison Ave’s existing public relations and social media services to reinforce the firm’s standing as one of the leading behavioral marketing and digital communications providers in the West. All clients will have access to a suite of expertise and capabilities across behavior design, public relations and social media strategy, crisis communications, creative campaign development, media planning, digital media and production, branding, website design and development.

No matter the industry, startups need to establish their brand, understand their market and build connections with potential customers and investors. We’ve seen businesses struggle to gain traction with investors and consumers because they did not seek counsel early enough; we’ve also seen companies wait too long to make a public statement and scramble to gain traction with key media outlets. Whether you’re part of a well-funded startup with the budget to hire a communications agency or a team of one, here are some things to consider in finding a team that is the right fit: If the idea of managing a relationship with a firm stresses you out, it is probably a good idea to wait until you feel confident that you will be able to dedicate time and thought to get the best value out of your communications partner.