Description

Bill Southard is founder and CEO of Southard Communications, a firm he founded in 1994. Over the last decade, Southard has grown the agency from a pure start-up to a full-service agency with billings of approximately $3 million and 15 account staff, and boasts a client roster that includes the U.S. Military Academy At West Point, Disney Publishing/Family Fun Magazine, Toys "R" Us and Emerson Consumer Electronics. With more than 25 years of communications experience, Southard has counseled some of the country's leading Fortune 500 firms. Before founding Southard Communications, Southard was president of Earle Palmer Brown Public Relations, a 75+ person, $10.0 million public relations agency. In addition, Southard held the title of president of Earle Palmer Brown/New York, a 100+ million dollar, 80 person integrated marketing communications operation, overseeing public relations, advertising and direct marketing in the New York office. Southard joined EPB in 1992 after 10 years at Dorf & Stanton Communications, a top 15 national public relations agency. Since its founding, Southard Communications has become a premier creative, brand building public relations firm. The agency has won several distinguished awards for its work on behalf of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (for which the agency coordinated its 200th Anniversary celebration in 2002), LeapFrog and Toymax International. The firm is routinely recognized for its outstanding creative program development as well as for maintaining one of the best staff and client retention records in the public relations industry. Prior to joining Dorf & Stanton in 1982, he was public relations manager with Apollo Technologies, handling all internal and external company communications. Southard graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism from Seton Hall University. He is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, The Counsel of Public Relations Firms and is a frequent lecturer.