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The First Public Relations Firm in the United States: The Starting Point of Public Relations Professionalization

海外传播洞察

This article traces the birth of the first public relations firm in the United States, introduces the father of public relations Edward Bernays and the father of modern public relations Ivy Lee, and reviews the evolution of public relations thought from ancient times to the present, helping readers understand the origins and development of the public relations industry.

Published 2026.09.17 Section Insights Source E-SENSE
The First Public Relations Firm in the United States: The Starting Point of Public Relations Professionalization

Event Background

As a profession, public relations can be traced back to the United States in the early 20th century. At that time, the large-scale "muckraking" movement by the media against corporations prompted companies to begin paying attention to their public image, and public relations emerged as a result. In 1903, Ivy Lee opened the first formal public relations consulting office, marking the beginning of the professionalization of public relations. In 1919, Edward Bernays founded the first public relations firm in the United States, further advancing the development of the industry.

Core Information

Edward Bernays, the father of public relations studies, is called the "father of public relations" for first proposing "public relations consulting." He founded the first public relations firm in the United States in 1919. Ivy Lee is called the "father of modern public relations"; he opened the first formal public relations consulting office in 1903 and in 1906 published a declaration of principles for public relations activities, proposing the basic principle of "telling the truth." These pioneers laid the foundation of the modern public relations industry.

Related Services

As an overseas full-service communication expert, Yuxiang deeply understands the history and value of public relations. We provide professional services including international public relations, media communication, and content planning, helping brands build trust and reputation in overseas markets. Whether it is crisis management, media relations, or brand story communication, Yuxiang can formulate precise communication strategies for clients based on the core principles of public relations.

Industry Observation

From agricultural announcements in ancient Egypt to rhetoric in ancient Greece, from "Zichan did not destroy the village school" in ancient China to the professional services of modern public relations firms, the thought and practice of public relations run through human civilization. Today, with deepening globalization, brand overseas communication requires even more professional public relations support. Yuxiang believes that the core of public relations has always been "telling the truth" and "building trust," which is also the cornerstone of our service to clients.

Content Summary

The first public relations firm in the United States was founded by Edward Bernays in 1919, while Ivy Lee opened a public relations consulting office in 1903. The public relations industry went through a long evolution from its emergence to professionalization. As an overseas full-service communication agency, Yuxiang inherits the ideas of public relations pioneers and is committed to providing professional international public relations and communication services for brands going overseas.

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