Remembering Mark Weiner

Below are memories offered by some of his closest friends, colleagues, and fellow Board members:

Mark will be deeply missed. He was an amazing leader, talented professional and caring individual. His significant contributions to IPR and the measurement commission will always be remembered. Sending deepest condolences to his family.
-Patricia Bayerlein, Gagen MacDonald

Mark was one of the kindest people I had ever met. He was the first IPR Board member I got to know, and we spent time together over lunch and calls talking about the Board, life in communications, and goals about the future.  He was curious and funny, and a visionary – with a sense that anything was possible.  And I remember during the pandemic he reached out to just check in – to make sure I was doing ok, both in work and in life.  He will be truly missed, and we lost one of our greatest friends and advocates.
-Bill Chandler, Lululemon

Mark was a great guy. Full stop.

He was a top researcher, consummate professional and good friend who was always ready, willing, and able to provide safe advice. I have many fond memories of Mark from IPR board meetings, dinners, and retreats. His amazing smile and ability to discuss virtually any subject (and provide a fresh perspective) was unique.

Mark not only kept urging me to write a book but introduced me to his editor who, in turn, introduced me to an editor at McGraw-Hill. He was one-of-a-kind and will be sorely missed.
-Steve Cody, Peppercomm

A fine man and leader, Mark’s contributions and personal commitment to raising public relations standards and practices were invaluable. So many times over the years, he generously offered his time and counsel to Newhouse students through guest-lecturing and personal mentoring, showing us all that there was a genial, caring individual behind his research, writings and other work. Mark will truly be missed, but his work with IPR and numerous professional groups, colleges and universities, and individuals will endure.
-Tony D’Angelo, Syracuse University

When I think of Mark, the word that comes to mind is “generous”. He was generous with his time; he was generous with his insights, and he was incredibly generous with his knowledge. I first met Mark through IPR, and I remember being struck by how deeply engaged he was in the community and mission of IPR. Mark was one of a kind and he will be missed.
-Maureen Davenport, KPMG

Mark Weiner was always curious, and his thoughtful questions helped us improve our program at UF and helped the PR profession in many ways over the years. Mark showed up for what was important. He was especially passionate about elevating our profession by preparing future leaders. This led to his successful career, his extensive industry engagement, his book, his frequent guest lectures, and plans for him to teach a course. 

In 2016, Mark and I both presented at an IPR event in London. After the session Mark asked if I would give him honest feedback if he provided honest feedback on my presentation. Of course I agreed, but what I didn’t realize was that this agreement would extend to all presentations. After his presentations he would ask what I thought and always shared his thoughts on mine – I didn’t even have to ask and his feedback was usually quite entertaining.

Mark was truly one-of-a-kind—he cared deeply and always made time for others. His passing is a loss for our industry.
-Marcia DiStaso, Ph.D., University of Florida

It has been a privilege to have counted Mark as a colleague and a friend. He was a pioneer who never wanted to settle. He balanced smart and strategic thinking and approach with a desire to invest back into our industry and mentor those who are coming up behind him. He was generous in sharing his success and seeing the best in others. Farewell my friend, I will miss you.
–Pauline Draper-Watts, Abacus Insights Partners

Attending a large meeting as a new member of Page Society or a board like IPR can be overwhelming and even intimidating. Mark was the first new friend I made in both, and I will never forget how welcoming he was, despite his status as a longtime member. His kindness, humility and self-effacing humor made every event comfortable and enjoyable, and I will miss him.
-Laura Duda, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Mark was a measurement hero, a mentor, and a friend. He could easily be attributed for my path in PR measurement. Don Wright introduced me to him at my first IPRRC conference as a graduate student—shortly after I was interviewing for a role in media measurement at PRIME Research where I started my career after graduate school. When I took on a new role involving sales in Brazil, he took time weekly for a sales training session. He didn’t have to do this, but he did to mentor me and help me excel—He wanted to push me and see me succeed.

Since the beginning, he has always been a mentor and a cheerleader to me. At a recent industry conference, he watched my presentation and I remember his proud look—like a proud father! Beyond the profession, he was such a kind and supportive person. He was there on the night of my first date with my husband—a PRIME Research holiday party. We still use the vase he gave us at our wedding—he made sure to tell my husband to always keep it full of fresh flowers! Mark has left a mark on our profession and our hearts. He will always be a celebrated hero to me. I still use the line he taught me every day in my work—PR measurement proves value and improves performance!
-Angela Dwyer, Fullintel

As one of the legions of Mark’s colleagues and friends across the profession, I cherished Mark’s brilliant research findings and insights, his wonderful sense of humor, his many kind and gracious gestures, and his tireless spirit.  In my recent years in education, I can also attest to his generosity toward emerging talent.  He deeply loved spending time with students and was one of the best guest lecturers I’ve had the privilege of welcoming to Gainesville.  He was an impassioned champion for our profession, which he so dearly loved.  I hope all the IPR trustees know that he was at least as passionate a champion of IPR, which he also dearly loved.  He will be dearly missed.  RIP, my treasured friend. 
–Pat Ford, University of Florida

Mark was one of three true career mentors I’ve had. More important than that Mark was a true friend, whose advice and humor carried well beyond our professional association. Mark is the one person on the IPR measurement commission who stayed in touch with me during a short hiatus, and encouraged me to rejoin the commission, and continue to give back to IPR and our profession. It’s one of the best personal and professional decisions I’ve made, and I appreciate him so much for it.

Mark is a legend, and his place in furthering our profession will always be remembered.
– Jason Forget, Cognizant

Mark Weiner epitomized everything that is good about our profession!  High Integrity. Professional. Knowledgeable. Empathetic. Sincere. Collaborative. Most of all an incredible colleague and friend!

There are no words to express his loss. Mark made what we do meaningful, and he did it with a smile. Condolences to his family. RIP Mark!
-Gary Grates, Grates Consulting Group

When you were in Mark’s presence, you were always greeted with the most genuine smile—and that smile was always bigger and brighter if you were talking about PR and measurement.  His passion for our industry was inspiring to all of us, and I will miss his insights, partnership, and our discussions a great deal.  His wisdom and expertise were unparalleled and truly cherished by many of us.  His legacy will forever live on, and it will continue to be a shining example of commitment, dedication, and passion for our industry.  Rest in peace, my dear colleague, Mark.
-Yanique Griffin-Woodall, CVS Health

Mark was truly a special person. Servant leader, incredibly humble, generous with his time, and most of all, a class-act as a human being.

Throughout the 11 years of our friendship, I learned so much from Mark. On the one hand, it’s difficult to think of anyone else who has had such a profound impact shaping the future of public relations and communications. On the other hand, there are so many of us who Mark touched on a personal level, as well. I know that I will not only be a sharper communications practitioner because of Mark, but I will also have a shot at being a decent husband, friend, and human-being because of the lifetime of lessons he was kind enough to share with me. Truly one of a kind.
-Mohammad Hamid, Gameplan Management

When I was a new employee at IPR, Mark was one of the first Trustees to welcome me. He took it further and made an effort to get to know me.  At my first Bridge Conference, he took the time to chat and discover what had drawn me to the industry and to the organization. We shared a hearty laugh when I revealed the profound influence the TV show, “Bewitched” had on my professional path. He shared his memories of watching that show and the professional lessons he gleaned from it as well. 

That was one of Mark’s many gifts—the ability to connect with anyone about anything—and make them feel welcomed, valued, and seen. Mark offered himself as a resource in his kind and friendly way.

I will be eternally grateful for the moments I had with him to laugh, to learn, and to be in his gracious energy. He will be missed.
–Anetra Henry, Institute for Public Relations  

Mark was a shining light in our industry as a thought leader and in our lives as an exceptional human. Equally generous of mind and kind in spirit – he made so many of us better. To be in Mark’s orbit was to feel seen, heard and valued. Grateful for the minds and doors that he opened – and the many careers he influenced across our industry – including my own.  He will be truly and deeply missed.
-Allyson Hugley, LinkedIn

I was first introduced to Mark and his work in the early 2000s as I was working at the reputation insights intersection of stakeholder perceptions and media. From when we first met, the thing that has struck me about Mark was his unique ability to balance driving successful commercial organizations forward, while at the same time always bringing a sense of calm, patience, and friendly demeanor. Mark was unflappable and truly one of the good guys in the industry.

Although many of our discussions focused on the use of research and insights to accelerate the relevance and impact of the Communications function, as time went by much of what I increasingly looked for and appreciated in our conversations were his thoughts on life, family, and gratitude.

Mark, I’m grateful for the perspectives you shared and feel privileged to have called you a friend. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.
-Rob Jekielek, The Harris Poll

A decade ago, our paths converged as I led Symantec’s global communications, and it was during this time that I had the privilege of meeting Mark. He played a pivotal role in my professional life, instrumental in introducing and championing my nomination at IPR and Page. What started as a partnership in the corporate realm quickly transformed into a genuine and lasting friendship.

Mark was generous with his time and wisdom, with a selflessness that defined the depth of our connection. Beyond the confines of the workplace, Mark became more than a colleague; he became a true friend, always ready to offer guidance and support. Our conversations evolved beyond work-related matters, touching on the essence of life and the meaningful relationships we build along the way.

As our friendship blossomed, so did our discussions about our families. Mark, a quintessential family man, took immense pride in his sons’ achievements. His love for his family was evident in every conversation, and his commitment to their well-being was unwavering.

With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Mark, leaving a treasure trove of memories that showcase the remarkable person he was. I will miss his warmth and guidance deeply. In this time of mourning, I find solace in the richness of the moments we shared and his indelible impact on me.

As I say my goodbye, I will remember and cherish Mark for the exceptional human being he was – a friend, a mentor, and a loving family man. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory continue to guide me.
-Kerman Kasad

It’s clear Mark touched many people in many ways- professionally and personally. For many he is viewed rightly as a pioneer in media measurement.  It is an unfortunate reality that in this world of business, too often we only get a one-dimensional view of someone. If we’re lucky, we sometimes get a two-dimensional view and get to know people on a more personal basis, usually at events and conferences and maybe at those after hour bar chats.

Rarely do we get to know someone in their complete three-dimensional being. Their quirkiness, their eccentricities, their struggles, and their love of all that we often do not see. Many of us are understandably perhaps reluctant to share, thinking we may be judged. But as the writer Henry Miller once wrote, “the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people.”

Mark was one of those. While I knew and respected him for years, what I didn’t know until last year was more of his backstory. It turned out over some chats at a conference where he encouraged me to get more involved with the Institute of Public Relations, I realized I had unknowingly bumped into his son, Graham, in Costa Rica where I have a place and since then we’ve started to work together building out a vegetable farm for me.

I learned Mark was braver and more courageous than I had ever known. Behind his wit and humanity and advocacy for the industry he had once had a rare cancer that had him in the hospital for two years. Yet he never once mentioned this to me or complained of some of the struggles he had after. He was always quick to smile, joke and provide a wry wise observation in his Steve Carrell-esque manner. 

While we all mourn his loss and provide testimony to how he touched our lives, I was reminded by Graham that his father also had a side not everyone saw – a lover of rock n roll and loud music – of the Ramones, Beach Boys, the guitar. He lived his life fully.  I feel fortunate to have gotten a glimpse of him not just as a professional but in all his dimensions. And while tragic, Graham communicates that he now believes his father is at peace. RIP mark. It was an honor to know all of you. Behind that measurement maven cloak pulsed the heart of a rock star. Your memory and impact will rock on.
-Rob Key, Converseon 

I first met Mark when he was CEO of Prime Research – our fiercest competitor in the market.  Little did I know that 5 years later, Mark would join PublicRelay as our Chief Insights Officer and he would become a dear friend.  Mark was truly a pioneer in our industry, thinking in new ways about how data and smart analytics could make us better at our jobs and more credible in the C-Suite.  Always quick-witted and armed with a dry sense of humor, Mark made us smile even on the toughest days.  I will miss you, my friend.  We all will miss you.
-Eric Koefoot, PublicRelay

It’s always challenging to walk into a room full of strangers. That was me a few years ago when I walked into the Institute for Public Relations’ Bridge Conference in Washington DC. It was early and the room was nearly empty. Mark Weiner was sitting nearby eating breakfast. I didn’t know him, but I knew he was a veteran of the field who’d been with IPR for many years. But he was also just a guy eating breakfast. He greeted me warmly and asked me about myself. I reciprocated.

We learned we had common ground on a passion for research-driven advisory work in public relations. If you’d seen us chatting, you’d have thought we were discussing a hot sports take or a common passion for a band or an artist. Yes, we geeked out. And in the process, struck up a friendship.

A few months later, Mark reached out to me. He’d seen an ad for a senior role at my firm, an old one that somehow persisted beyond its useful life in some search engine algorithm. He was looking for something new. I explained the error. But again, we talked about the business and the approach my firm was taking and what he wanted to do. He was gracious and encouraging. Just under a year ago, Mark learned I was being named the IPR board liaison to the Measurement Commission, a post he was vacating. He reached out again. True to form, he gave me great advice about the group, the role I was taking on and how to make it meaningful. He wished me luck.

I didn’t know Mark very well, but it felt like he was a kindred spirit on the business approach. I was so grateful to find a senior person interested in what I was trying to do, and supportive. Beyond that, I could tell he was a genuinely good person. I felt his curiosity, passion and wisdom in every interaction. He really cared about people. From what I can see on various testimonials about his passing, he left a strong legacy of mentorship and friendship throughout our field. I’ll miss him, but I’m glad to know I can find that legacy at work in many of my friends and colleagues.
-Mike Kuczkowski, Orangefiery

Mark was an expert in our field, yes, but I enjoyed seeing him for reasons that supplemented his expertise.  Jocular and voluble, Mark and I talked at our regular encounters about the arts and food, mostly, and most recently whether a vegetarian diet was worth it and what made food pleasurable.  He had a great persona, was a great colleague, and I’ll miss him very much.
-Brian Lott, Mubadala

In 2015 when I was starting one of my largest ever research projects (The Organizational Listening Project) and needed to interview organization leaders in the US as well as the UK and Europe for sample balance, Mark not only connected me to some of his clients but also gave me use of an office in his E. 42nd St, New York premises as my NYC base. Such was his generosity. I will miss the many friendly discussions on measurement and evaluation.
-Jim Macnamara, Ph.D., University of Technology, Sydney

Mark was, by anyone’s estimation, a true mensch. I got to know him about ten years ago — and from the jump he was kind, witty, generous with his time, knowledgeable and gracious. One of my favorite people to see at an industry event, he always had an interesting take, a sardonic quip, or a connection to make — or, more likely, all three! He was the first of my fellow trustees at the Institute for Public Relations to reach out to me to show me the ropes and ensure I found birds of a feather. This Hanukkah, as the candles on my menorah burn brightly, I’m thinking of Mark and how his light shines on through the positive impact and memories he leaves behind.
-Ethan McCarty, Integral

I know I already talked some about Mark, but I wanted to share some personal insights. Mark was terrible at hiding his facial expressions, so if you really wanted to know how he felt, it was better to do a video call. Mark was funny and witty. He sent me texts like, “I’m here with Steve Cody. We’re talking about you, and I wish you were here to defend yourself.” And he said, “I just received a thank you note from IPR with your signature. But it doesn’t read like you. It’s sincere, gracious, and full of gratitude. Nothing snarky. No corrections…I think someone is impersonating you. Has anyone else reported this?” He also had some dad jokes. When people asked him how to pronounce his name, he would say, “Weiner, like the hot dog,” followed by, “Don’t you RELISH that?” and “Let me be FRANK.”

Mark always remembered my birthday (and my son’s birthday because his birthday was also on May 4). He sent me words of encouragement on the morning of our major IPR events like, “Good morning. Today is YOUR DAY. TAKE NO PRISONERS!” Or, he would send me notes at the end of the year wishing me joy for the following one.

I was fortunate to work with Mark on many projects through IPR through our events and research together. It’s sad to think that I’ll never speak to him again, and I still don’t think his death has sunk in fully. I’m sending much love to Braden (who he called his bride) and his sons, Graham and Cameron. Thank you for sharing your husband and dad with us. He loved you all so much, and he made a difference to so many in our field.
-Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., Institute for Public Relations

I first encountered Mark when he was receiving the Jack Felton Gold Medal award, his wife Braden left it to the last second to reveal that she was introducing her husband. It was a wonderful surprise, a mic-drop moment.

Like that moment, Mark was full of surprises – he was kind, thoughtful, generous with his time and network, and always championed me and my firm. Mark was a wonderful blend of humor, confidence, and humility. He knew what he excelled in (and there was a lot) but was also aware of his limitations – and that was part of his appeal.

I will be thankful for the time we spent together, especially his counsel to a fellow outsider in the world of PR. Our industry lost a giant this week, but his legacy will endure.
-Jamie McLaughlin, Monday Talent

The public relations community lost a thought leader, mentor and colleague who deeply cares about the profession. I had the opportunity to serve on the PR Daily Advisory Board where Mark Weiner was also a member. Mark is a lifetime advocate for PR research and the measurement of public relations values and outcomes. I worked on different research projects related to PR measurement and measurement tools in corporate communications. Because of Mark’s expertise, I reached out to him several times and invited him to share his input and critique. Mark always responded to my interview requests and graciously shared his experience and feedback. He would follow up to make sure his comments are helpful and is willing to offer more time to “sit for an interview or a session to expand on [his] responses.” Spending time with Mark discussing the importance of empowering PR students with research skills and appreciating the role of research in advancing the industry is always a highlight of his incredible contributions. He will be deeply missed by so many. Rest in peace, Mark.
-Juan Meng, Ph.D., University of Georgia

I feel so lucky to have worked for Mark for a decade and gotten to know him as a professional and as a friend. I have spoken to countless former colleagues and clients in the past few days and the same threads run through every conversation I have had.

As a friend, he was invested, loyal, supportive, and personable. As a colleague, boss and mentor, Mark made us feel included, valued, confident, special, respected, heard, and loved. So many attribute their careers to Mark’s thoughtful guidance and unwavering support. He was endlessly generous with his time and quick to attribute his success to the contributions of others.

As a practitioner, Mark contributed to the science and art of public relations measurement, but more than that, he built up a community around that practice. This is Mark’s gift and unique legacy, and one which will undoubtedly continue to impact us all for years to come.

Love and miss you, Mark. I am so grateful for our friendship. May you rest in peace.
-Chelsea Mirkin, Cision

I had the good fortune to know and work with Mark for many years.  Our teams worked together while at Mastercard and again at KPMG.  On a professional level, Mark’s dedication to his craft and his passion for insights-led, data driven communications was unparalleled. But more than our shared professional work and accomplishments, I’m most proud to have called him friend. I will greatly miss our regular chats and our many shared laughs. Mark was one of the good ones. He will be missed.
-Chris Monteiro, Wise

Mark was a fierce advocate of public relations research, measurement, and outcomes-based communication strategies. Not only was Mark a founding member of the IPR Measurement Commission in 1997, but he also served as chair for many years and remained an active member for the other years. He was a regular contributor at professional conferences, and he authored significant and widely cited PR measurement white papers and articles and books, most of which I read and assigned to students in my public relations and research classes. He shaped my teaching and scholarship. But perhaps most important, Mark mentored and championed hundreds of public relations practitioners, including me. When serving as chair of the IPR Measurement Commission, Mark would call me on occasion, asking me questions that prompted me to think differently or to do more. He was always among the first to congratulate or champion someone on LinkedIn. My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.
-Julie O’Neil, Ph.D., Texas Christian University

Mark wanted to be an IPR trustee probably more than anybody who joined the Board while I was CEO.  This was before there was an executive committee, and as important as that has been to the development of IPR, before those interpretations of the rules came mainly from the CEO.  So, we put Mark’s boss in Europe on the Board and had Mark serve as his representative on practically everything.  And Mark quickly proved how much he deserved to be a Trustee.
-Frank Ovaitt, Ovaitt Land Holdings, LLC

Mark was my biggest champion in the comms measurement industry. He encouraged me to join the IPR Measurement Commission and nominated me for the Measurement Hall of Fame. I credit him with so much that I have learned in my craft and for the invaluable relationships I have made. More importantly, Mark also became a friend. He had the kindest heart and was so willing to openly share his knowledge and his personal life experiences, and I am so grateful for all that he taught me. It is absolutely heartbreaking to know he will no longer be a part of this special community and my life in general. He will be dearly missed.
-Elizabeth Rector, Cisco

The communications world has lost a true luminary with Mark’s passage. He was a friend, colleague, and mentor. I feel indebted to him for having brought me into the IPR world, first onto its Measurement Commission, later encouraging me to run for its Chair, and then to engage with AMEC. If I think of a single word to describe Mark, it would be the Yiddish term, Mensch. He was someone you could count on to lead thoughtfully, to do what he said, to say what he meant, and to set an example which many of us follow to this day.
–David B. Rockland, Ph.D., Rockland and Dutton

I join so many Public Relations and Communications practitioners and educators in mourning the loss of Mark Weiner. The December 10 news came as a shock, the response was immediate, universal in its praise for the professional, the research guru, and it was heartfelt for the loss of a true friend. I remember Mark as a life-long learner, and as a practitioner-turned educator, I admire Mark for his humble approach to our profession and to life. Yes, he was a leading figure in research, a sought-after conference speaker and author, but it was his post-lecture interaction with his audiences that I will especially remember. Over the years, Mark visited my Newhouse undergraduate students, the mid-career practitioners in our executive master’s program, and chief communications officers in our Newhouse/Aberje program in Brazil — encouraging all to advance their careers and the profession by  engaging in research, applying that research, then sharing their research. But those formal lectures always ended with Mark interviewing those students to gain from them new insights, new takeaways, new applications to his own work – the mark of a life-long learner, and a role model for all of us.
-Maria P. Russell, Syracuse University and the Commission on Public Relations Education

Mark was a wonderful individual to get to know, both personally and professionally. He helped encourage me in our measurement practice at Southwest and was a constant source of information, guidance, and advice. He always had a smile and a kind word to offer. He helped spark my continued learning in the measurement space – and he was available to my staff to ask questions as they continued their understanding of measurement and analytics (and mostly how to tell the right story about the data we’d collected). He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
-Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines

Mark was my very first introduction to the world of analytics and measurement. I still remember vividly meeting him at the Mastercard’s headquarters as we got a tour of their industry leading measurement and analytics infrastructure, a first for the industry. Mark was curious, knowledgeable, and most importantly he always led with his personal touch or midas. From working on our first project together at Capital One to being industry experts serving together on the IPR measurement commission to joining my class at Georgetown every semester as a guest, Mark was a constant in my life and had an incredible impact both as a human and most importantly as a communicator. He always met you with a big smile, he loved a good discussion around measuring the ROI of PR and he never let go of an opportunity to pitch why every communications leader should be investing in measurement and analytics. I still remember fondly getting his book in the mail signed, “your friend, Mark.”

Mark, thank you for your friendship and partnership. Thank you for being my loudest sponsor in the room. You will be missed dearly. Until next time my friend!
–Sukhi Sahni, Wells Fargo

Mark was an advocate for both the profession and the professional. When he nominated me for the IPR board, it seemed out of left field at the time. He was steps ahead of my thinking and I’m eternally grateful for his supporting me to be an IPR trustee. Mark was steeped in data and analytics, but his true calling was connecting and supporting the people in his world.
-Diane Schwartz, Ragan

Mark was passionate about his work and always selfless in sharing his knowledge. We became friends over many years, and he always wanted to help, to teach, to listen, and to be a friend. His contributions to data, analytics, and insights for all of us in the communications business have been instrumental. His warm smile, friendly demeanor, and sense of humor will be terribly missed by me and by so many who had the privilege of calling him a friend. My deepest sympathy goes to his family.
-Eileen Sheil, Weill Cornell Medicine

Mark was one of the most passionate advocates for measurement ever in our field. He also was a natural “independent” as a person, and de facto educator who could be counted on to provide an objective view of issues, trends, and the state of the world in our conversations.
-Jim Simon, Simon and Associates    

Mark Weiner was a champion for public relations, both the industry and education.  He visited our campus at Quinnipiac many years ago to speak to graduate public relations students about the importance of measurement in public relations and was always willing to talk with a student about their careers even as recently as this past semester.  I will always remember his willingness to help and to go above and beyond.  After our last phone call, he sent me a note thanking me for spending some time with him to talk.   But I will always be thankful for the time we shared.
-Hilary Fussell Sisco, Ph.D., Quinnipiac University

Thank you, Mark, for always leading the way and being an amazing role model for me and so many others on PR Research and Evaluation.  There are few who make a true difference, advance us in ways which are so important to this profession. You are one who has done so, many times over. Not only do I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I thank you for all those who never even knew you were so instrumental in their achievements, their commitment to being better professionals by listening more effectively through good research.  Thank you for being such a great guy and friend.  I will miss you as so many others will. Holding you in the light.
-Stacey Smith, Jackson, Jackson, & Wagner

I will miss my conversations with Mark Weiner.  He had a unique perspective on most things and an ability to put concepts into practice and then explain them.  We agreed more often than we disagreed, serving on several commissions and professional associations.  We called ourselves “sole brothers” as if from the same family with different opinions.  Mark was a pioneer in public relations measurement and his works have impacted on many professionals.  He will be missed.
–Don Stacks, Ph.D., University of Miami

While I did not know him well, he was instrumental in my early exposure to taking Comms measurement seriously as a profession. He always challenged us to be thoughtful and rigorous in all aspects. I appreciate that greatly. He will be missed.
-Eve Stevens, Microsoft

One of my few genuine regrets about my journey through the PR measurement & evaluation world is not having joined Mark at PRIME Research in 2012. We knew each other well, and Mark encouraged me to become a part of his leadership team. I made a different choice.

We did end up working together, as members of the IPR Measurement Commission, and for a couple of years, I was deputy to his being Chair of the Commission. For so many, Mark was a friend and a mentor. He was for me, too. Time spent with him was time well spent. I always found him kind and wise and generous with his time. I was the first (at least he said so) to review his 2021 book PR Technology, Data, and Insights, which I continue to recommend to students and practitioners alike. Technology may change at an increasing pace, but his insights, based on vast amounts of experience and common sense, will stand the test of time. He was a titan of our industry. We shared a love of whisky (though I should say whiskey, in his case). He introduced me to his favorite, Booker’s Bourbon, a very special treat. The bottle I took home to London is long gone, so as I am writing this, I am raising a glass of vintage single malt in the memory of Mark, who left the stage way too early. Rest in peace, dear friend.
–Thomas Stoeckle, Ph.D. Bournemouth University

Mark was an engaged, enthusiastic, and staunch believer in IPR’s mission, embodying what this organization has long sought to attract: Leaders who share a passion for the role that measurement and research plays in the profession we love. We will miss him.
-Oscar Suris, Duke Energy

Mark was a wonderful colleague who always made time to check in and make people feel welcomed at various industry gatherings. His quick-witted thoughts always were punctuated by his marvelous, warm smile. Our industry is better thanks to Mark’s significant contributions.
-Chris Talley, Talley Communication Strategies, LLC 

I always knew of Mark’s reputation as an icon of measurement, then I met him in person and realized he’s more an icon for humanity.  He really was a gem of a human being: generous with his time, with his counsel and with his humor.  I will miss him.  I will miss our conversations. And I’m sure we will all miss his friendship and partnership in our world of comms.  Godspeed, Mark.
-Gerry Tschopp, Experian

Mark from the start was one of my best friends in the industry. He taught me so much, about measurement, about business, about courage in the face of adversity. He was hugely supportive when I was the new guy, when I started my own business, and even when I needed a NYC office to park in between meetings. We last saw each other in Texas for PRSA, and I have a photo that now will treasure of him as he’s being interviewed by John Elasser. I think I live tweeted their talk, and there was so much great content there! At that same conference, Mark and I got to share a meal and talk at length — our last discussion; he and I corresponded via email this year while he was preparing for teaching a class at U of Fla. I’m really going to miss him. All the best to Braden and Mark’s family and friends. May his memory be for a blessing. 
-Sean Williams, Bowling Green State University

In lieu of flowers, two charitable organizations that Mark supported over the years were the Institute For Public Relations and the Museum of Public Relations, both 501(c) 3 educational institutions. 

Founded in 1956, the Institute For Public Relations is dedicated to fostering greater use of research and research-based knowledge in public relations and corporate communication practice.IPR is dedicated to the science beneath the art of public relations.™ We create, curate, and promote research and initiatives that empower professionals with actionable insights and intelligence they can put to immediate use.  Please make your donations here: https://instituteforpr.org/contribute/

The Museum of Public Relations is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving the field’s history and building public awareness of the profession.  All donations made to the Museum in Mark’s honor will be named on the Museum website.  Please make your donations here: https://prmu.se/donate