FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Barb Harris, teamworkspr@gmail.com, (480) 296-5573
CLEVELAND (May 22, 2025) — PRConsultants Group (PRCG), an exclusive, nationwide network of senior communications and marketing professionals, is marking its 25th anniversary of pioneering collaborative public relations across the United States.
Founded in 2000, PRCG revolutionized how independent communication practitioners collaborate while maintaining entrepreneurial independence. The organization comprises 54 carefully selected professionals representing every major U.S. market, delivering local expertise with national reach for clients across diverse industries.
“What began as notes scribbled on cocktail napkins at Tucson’s Westin La Paloma Resort has evolved into a groundbreaking model for our industry,” said co-founder Barb Harris of Phoenix. “Our silver anniversary celebrates not just our longevity but the validation of our founding vision that independent practitioners can achieve remarkable results through strategic partnership.”
The concept for PRCG originated when Karen Raskopf of 7-Eleven assembled a group of seasoned independent PR consultants. From this initial network, three visionaries – Barb Harris, Solveig Raftery, and Marisa Vallbona – identified an opportunity to create something unprecedented in the industry. Their vision crystallized during an evening in Tucson in 1999, where they outlined a structure allowing PR professionals to maintain independence while harnessing the power of a national network.
They were soon joined by founding members Sharon Kreher, John Deveney, Stacia Kirby, and Lisa Faulkner-Dunne. Together, they established PRCG as a not-for-profit entity with rigorous membership standards that continue today.
Success came quickly, with the organization demonstrating its capabilities through a nationwide Barnes & Noble.com technology exhibition spanning 25 cities. This was followed by a landmark campaign for XM Satellite Radio, which earned the prestigious Best of Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America.
These early successes paved the way for collaborations with prominent organizations, including Cold Stone Creamery, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Make-A-Wish, PhRMA, Oceana, Ruth’s Chris, and 9/11 Day.
The network’s strength lies in its unique operational model. Members maintain the flexibility to lead national campaigns they secure while contributing their expertise to projects brought by peers. This approach enables PRCG to deliver comprehensive national coverage while preserving the authentic connection of local market expertise.
Looking ahead, PRCG plans to expand its collaborative multi-market client programs and develop thought-leadership initiatives for the communications industry.
“As the communication landscape continues to evolve, our founding principles remain as relevant as ever,” added co-founder Solveig Raftery of Las Vegas. “Our model offers clients the best of both worlds – the responsiveness and personalized service of independent practitioners with the reach and resources of a national network, all through a single point of contact.”
For more information about PRConsultants Group and its 25-year track record of collaborative excellence, visit www.prconsultantsgroup.com.
About PRConsultants Group
PRConsultants Group (PRCG) is an exclusive, nationwide network of senior communications and marketing professionals representing diverse disciplines in every major U.S. market and beyond. Since 2000, members have collaborated to amplify impact for clients, harnessing national strength and local power across traditional and digital service offerings, delivering measurable results for regional, national, and international brands.
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