As the publisher of CommPRO, a platform dedicated to communications professionals, the 4th of July holds a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a holiday; it’s a time to reflect on the power and importance of being an independent publisher. We are committed to being your trusted platform for sharing news and knowledge in the communications industry, and we owe much of our success to our amazing partners, contributors, and guests.

At CommPRO, we believe in the transformative power of strategic communication. Our platform connects professionals in public relations, marketing, advertising, and digital media, providing insights, resources, and a vibrant community for sharing ideas. This 4th of July, we celebrate not only our nation’s independence but also the vital role communication plays in shaping our world.

The year kicked off with exciting milestones: the doubling of our readership since the 2023 relaunch of our publishing platform, the growth of our global women’s leadership initiative, the introduction of a new thought leadership series on the future of communications, a focus on mental health wellness in the workplace, and the continuing impact of generative AI in commstech. We are incredibly grateful for our extraordinary contributors, sponsors, industry partners, and guests who have supported us along the way.

A special shout out to Simon Locke, founder of CommunicationsMatch™, our strategic partner. Together, we have launched the Top 10 US Public Relations Companies List, published monthly in CommPRO– how does 42West keep on to that #1 spot! This collaboration integrates CommunicationsMatch™’s agency search and RFP tools with CommPRO's publishing and events, creating a powerful platform to facilitate new client-agency connections and generate valuable business opportunities for US-based public relations and communications companies.

A heartfelt thank you to our content partners, including CommunicationsMatch™, The Museum of Public Relations, George Washington University's Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, The Stevens Group, Finn Partners, Media.com, Hunter, Ruder Finn, PRophet, Truescope, and Ragan. Your support and collaboration have been invaluable.

2024 highlights include an incredible lineup of communications and media personalities joining us for our podcasts, in-person salons, and live-stream events. This year’s PR Masters Series Podcast guests have included  Sir Martin Sorrell, Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital plc; Muriel Fox, a trailblazing feminist activist and accomplished PR executive; Rick French, the driving force behind French/West/Vaughn; and  Jon Iwata, a distinguished figure with a 35-year career at IBM. We’re excited to kick off the second half of 2024 with Maurice Lévy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe, on the podcast with host Art Stevens.

Our "That Said with Michael Zeldin" Podcast has featured notable guests such as CNN’s Dr. Sanja Gupta, media personality Katie Couric, and CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. The second half of 2024 will start with a one-on-one conversation between host Michael Zeldin and media and political personality George Stephanopoulos.

In-person salons have been equally impactful, including our celebration of International Women’s Day in partnership with Media.com, our mental health wellness in the workplace salon in partnership with Global Gateway Advisors, and our event celebrating the pre-launch of Larry Weber’s new book, "A New Age of Reason - Harnessing the Power of Tech for Good." As part of our global women’s leadership initiative, CommPRO hosted the livestream, "Breaking Barriers: Advancing Women’s Leadership In Business."

The 4th of July is a celebration of our shared values and the crucial role communication plays in our society. I am grateful to be part of a profession that reflects these values and contributes to their realization. As we look forward to an exciting second half of 2024, let’s celebrate our nation’s spirit, our commitment to truth, and the resilience that keeps us moving forward.

Happy 4th of July everyone!