The Institute for Public Relations Board of Trustees today elected Robert W. Grupp as President and CEO effective July 1, 2009. Grupp will succeed Frank Ovaitt, who has led the Institute for five years.
Grupp, a trustee of the Institute since 2004, is a corporate communications executive and public relations consultant with more than 25 years experience in science-driven businesses and trade associations operating in the US, Europe and Asia. The Institute Board chose Grupp after a six-month international search and review of more than 25 candidates.
“I am thoroughly energized by the opportunity to lead the Institute,” Grupp said. “The Institute encourages and documents research-based knowledge, building our profession in a most meaningful way by proving the value of public relations and putting that learning into practice. I am confident that we will continue to expand this important work, building upon Frank’s vision and leadership, the hard work by staff and Trustees, and generous support from all of our donors.”
The Institute for Public Relations is an independent nonprofit, dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations. Itbridges the academic and professional fields, supporting public relations research and mainstreaming this knowledge into practice through education. The Institute recently launched the Essential Knowledge Project, an on-line guide to existing research translated into practitioner’s language and available free on the Institute’s web site (instituteforpr.org).
“My five years at the helm of the Institute have been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Ovaitt. “With the Essential Knowledge Project in place and a footprint that now extends far beyond North America, I am proud and confident of this organization’s future with Bob Grupp leading the way.”
Grupp was 2008 president of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), which consists of 1,000 senior communications professionals in nearly 100 countries. He co-chaired the IPRA Public Relations World Congress in Beijing last November.
Grupp currently is President of Grupp Global Partners LLC, a management consultancy with a strategic focus on corporate communications and international public relations. Previously, he was Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs at Cephalon, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company. At Cephalon, he integrated corporate communications and branding, investor relations, media relations, employee communications and product public relations.
Grupp also held leadership positions managing corporate communications at Eli Lilly and Company, directing communications programs to launch innovative medical products and devices. At Dow Corning Corporation, he managed global public relations during the silicone breast implant crisis. At Consumers Energy in Michigan, he directed public affairs initiatives including crisis management and public outreach for the nuclear power industry.
Earlier in his career, Bob served as editor and reporter for daily newspapers in Florida and Illinois, and received a National Headliner Award, one of the oldest and largest national awards recognizing excellence in journalism.
He is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, and founding President of a PRSA mid-Michigan chapter. Grupp has traveled extensively throughout the world lecturing on public diplomacy and global public relations strategy and practice. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and communications from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
