Special and very cordial thanks to:
All of the 100 top PR experts from 65 countries for making this book a unique encyclopedia on the development of the public relations business all over the world during these turbulent times.
The team at Allworth Press and Skyhorse Publishing, who worked hard and dedicated their time to polish every detail of this book and to bring it to the market. In particular, thanks to the one and only Tad Crawford, Chamois Holschuh, Chris Schultz, Hector Carosso, Corinne Enright, Mona Lin, and Cayla Ames.
The great writer Eric Weiner, the author of The Geography of Bliss, for inspiring in me the idea to give this book a second name: The Geography of PR.
The “icon” of Global PR and a good friend for decades, Paul Holmes—mentor, teacher, advisor, and someone to quote on many different occasions.
My absolute “#M3DreamTeam” at M3 Communications Group, Inc., in Sofia for the constant support and for giving me the opportunity to “swim” professionally in the ocean of the public relations business.
The first editor of the book, Ivan Dikov, for his support and professional advice.
My friends and colleagues from ICCO, The International Communications Consultancy Organisation, for their strong support in bringing the organization to a higher level during my presidency and for always giving me “fresh air” and a “strong hand” toward future professional success.
The greatest company to work for, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, the leaders in the world’s public relations business since 1927.
Two great personalities who are no longer on planet Earth but who were my mentors, friends, and role models: the late Terence Billing, who showed me the way to creative PR, and the late Sir James Mancham, founding president of the Republic of Seychelles, who brought me into the amazing world of modern diplomacy.
Thank you to the contributors who took the time to answer questions and share their insights:
Aaron Kwittken (USA) Adam Benson (Australia) Adriana Vieira (Brazil) Agnieszka Dziedzic (Poland) Ahmed Janabi (Iraq) Aive Hiiepuu (Estonia) Aki Kubo (Japan) Alan Ogden (UK) Alison Clarke (UK) Alma Gerxhani (Albania) Althaf Jalaldeen (Sri Lanka) Amir Rastegar (Iran) Andras Sztaniszlav (Hungary) Andrew Bone (Saudi Arabia) Andrey Barannikov (Russia) Arun Sudhaman (China/Hong Kong) Assel Karaulova (Kazakhstan) Bashar AlKadhi (United Arab Emirates) Božidar Novak (Slovenia) Bridget von Holdt (South Africa) Catalina Rousseau (Romania) Cesare Valli (Italy) Christophe Ginisty (Belgium) Ciro Dias Reis (Brazil) Clāra Ly-Le (Vietnam) Claudine Moore (USA) Danijel Koletic (Croatia) Daphna Triwaks (Israel) David Gallagher (UK) David Gordon (Canada) Dimitris Roulias (Greece) Eitan Hershco (Israel) Elise Mitchell (USA) Elizabeth Goenawan Ananto (Indonesia) Erik Cornelius (Korea) Fabián Motta (Colombia) Filomena Rosato (Italy) Gabriel Paslaru (Romania) German Saa (Japan) Guntram Kaiser (Germany) Halim Walid Abou Seif (Egypt) Ilarija Bašić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Jack Martin (USA) Jafar Mansimi (Azerbaijan) Jaroslav Major (Czech Republic) Joan Ramon Vilamitjana (Spain) John Saunders (Ireland) Jürgen H. Gangoly (Austria) Justin Green (Ireland) Kamal Taibi (Morocco) Kara Alaimo (USA) Khalid Baddou (Morocco) Khristo Ayad (Qatar) Kim Nyberg (Finland) Kresten Schultz-Jørgensen (Denmark) Lars Erik Gronntun (Norway) Lorena Carreño (Mexico) Loula Zaklama (Egypt) Martin Peterson (Sweden) Martin Slater (Italy) Massimo Moriconi (Italy) Michael Thomas Schroder (Germany) Michaela Benedigová (Slovakia) Mina Nazari (Iran) Mykolas Katkus (Lithuania) Myron Wasylyk (Russia) Nitin Mantri (India) Nurul Shamsuri (Malaysia) Oksana Monastyrska (Ukraine) Patrik Schober (Czech Republic) Pelin Kocaalp (Turkey) Peter Mutie (Kenya) Philippe Borremans (Belgium) Rana Nejem (Jordan) Reto Wilhelm (Switzerland) Rhingo Mutambo (Namibia) Richard Millar (UK) Sari-Liia Tonttila (Finland) Saurabh Uboweja (India) Scott E. Falhman (USA) Serge Beckers (The Netherlands) Sergey Zverev (Russia) Shamil Tumisang Agosi (Botswana) Shelley Spector (USA) Sir Martin Sorrell (USA) Solly Moeng (South Africa) Sophya Balakina (Kyrgyzstan) Stuart Bruce (UK) Svetlana Japalău (Moldova) Tamara Bekčić (Serbia) Tatevik Pirumyan (Armenia) Tatjana Loparski (Macedonia) Thierry Wellhoff (France) Thomas Tindemans (Belgium) Vivian Lines (Singapore) Yasemin Edige Öztunc (Turkey) Yomi Badejo-Okusanya (Nigeria) Zdenek Lokaj (Czech Republic) Zhao Dali (China) Zsofia Lakatos (Hungary)
The Author, Maxim Behar
