Ronn Torossian is the Founder, President and CEO of New York-based 5W Public Relations. He has overseen the company's rapid growth and expansion to the Inc. 500 list, as well as provided counsel to hundreds of companies, including members of the Fortune 500, Inc. 500 and Forbes 400. His work spans global interests, corporate entities, high-profile individuals, regional business entities, government agencies and academic institutions - both on routine public relations matters and extremely sensitive issues.
One of the foremost public relations experts in the U.S., Torossian is known for his aggressive, results-focused orientation, as well as his close working relationships with members of the media, influencers, decision makers, politicians and celebrities. At 5W Public Relations, Torossian's client experience has included PR programs for Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Anheuser-Busch, Barnes & Noble, Cantor Fitzgerald, IHOP, McDonald's, Evian, EDS, VeriSign, XM Radio, Seagram's, The Loews Regency, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment, Marriott Hotels, Vail Resorts, Pamela Anderson, Snoop Dogg, the Government of Israel, and others.
A New York Times feature story on Torossian referred to him as "The consummate hard-driving, scrappy NY publicist." CBS National News said "Ronn Torossian knows spin," he was referred to by The New York Post as a "publicity guru," by Fox News as a "high-powered PR CEO," by Tyra Banks as a "crisis management guru," and by CNN as "a leading PR expert.” Ronn Torossian is regularly featured in and quoted by the media.
Earlier in his career, Torossian was Vice President/Group Director for one of The InterPublic Group's (IPG) largest PR agencies, where he was responsible for significant client growth and successful client programs, including work for Clinique, Fox News Channel, DHL and Hard Rock Café.
In 2010 Torossian was named a semi-finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. A resident of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Torossian was named to PR Week's "40 Under 40" List and Advertising Age’s "40 Under 40" list, is a regular lecturer at universities and conferences, a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and a board member of numerous non-profit organizations.
Neil Alumkal is one of the early founding members of the agency, having joined 5W Public Relations in 2004. He serves as Senior Vice President and Consumer PR Specialist and brings over 10 years of PR experience to the agency. He is responsible for creating and implementing communications plans for a myriad of consumer brands including Evian Natural Spring Water, Barnes & Noble, Loews Regency, 1800 Tequila, LifeStyles and the Patina Restaurant Group, among others.
Previously, he managed media campaigns for a variety of clients, including Hyatt Hotels, Loews Cineplex, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Bang & Olufsen and Mobil Travel Guide, for which he was awarded the Golden Bell public relations award. Mr. Alumkal began his career as a producer for ABC's Good Morning America. Recently, he created a non-traditional media campaign for a 5WPR PR client which was ranked as one of the all-time "Top 10 Successful Marketing Stunts" by Entrepreneur magazine.
Clint Cantwell serves as a Senior Vice President at 5W Public Relations, managing accounts in the corporate, and consumer practices. With over 15 years expertise in media relations and corporate communications, Cantwell is well versed in developing and executing broad reaching public relations campaigns in a variety of industries, including technology, corporate communications, fashion, publishing, multimedia, entertainment, and consumer goods among others.
Prior to joining 5W Public Relations, Cantwell spent several years as Director of Corporate Communications for Marc Ecko Enterprises (MEE), a $1.5 billion apparel and youth lifestyle company, overseeing media relations and corporate communications for the various properties under the Marc Ecko Enterprises' umbrella. Previously, Cantwell served as Vice President of Rubenstein Public Relations, managing public relations and corporate communications for such clients as Land Rover, Rubin Museum of Art, Time Warner Center, and others, as well as acting as Head of Communications and US Operations for icollector PLC, an online sales and marketing service provider for auction houses, galleries and dealers worldwide.
Cantwell began his career with Ogilvy Public Relations. He lives with his family in Long Island and is an avid competitive barbecuer.
John Cpin, Senior Vice President, Corporate & Public Affairs practice, has significant experience in media relations, crisis management, public relations and public affairs. At 5WPR, he directs PR efforts for a host of corporate, political, advocacy and policy groups and individuals in national and international arenas. Prior to joining 5WPR, he served as Vice President of Public Relations at BGR Group (formerly Barbour, Griffith & Rodgers, LLC), a leading agency in Washington D.C. He spearheaded the communications efforts for all government and corporate accounts, including the US Polo Association, Republic of India, Kurdistan Regional Government, and DuPont. He handled a range of client matters, including the California Health and Longevity Institute, The Peebles Corporation and American Management Services.
Cpin was previously Senior Vice President of Communications for Westin Rinehart, a boutique government relations and crisis communications firm. His duties included managing the firm's public relations department for all clients, including the development of strategic communications, outreach, positioning and branding.
Cpin started his career as a television news reporter in Long Island. He also held positions in the political arena ranging from press secretary for Congresswoman Nancy Boyda's Congressional campaign, and he held positions as a communications/policy advisor for then Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn (current Governor of Illinois) and deputy communications director for the Illinois State Board of Education. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, John earned a Master's degree in communications.
Erika McGlone joined 5WPR in 2003; she currently serves as a Senior Vice President for consumer PR brands, and represents a collection of clients that range from health companies, beauty & wellness products and physicians to parenting goods, plastic surgeons and beverage brands. Erika develops and manages several integrated PR/Marketing programs for clients and is responsible for driving strategic results for her clients, including AHAVA skincare, Hint Water, Cinergy Health, Shiseido brands Decleor & Carita and Evian Natural Spring Water. She is an expert at creating and executing strategic national media campaigns, generating impactful trade and business press coverage, and building media profiles.
Erika is actively involved in media pitching, and has generated placements in outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News and CNN. She takes a 360 degree view to the businesses she manages, bringing to play her experience across many industries, including business PR, healthcare, beauty PR and consumer public relations.
Previously, Erika served as an Account Supervisor at the Susan Magrino Agency and had yielded brand building results for a diverse range of well-recognized companies including Martha Stewart Living, The Peninsula Hotels and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Susan Weingram serves as Senior Vice President of 5WPR. With 15 years of broadcast media, public relations and marketing experience, Susan brings extensive consumer, luxury, lifestyle, healthcare, hospitality, sports and not-for-profit experience to her clients.
As Senior Vice President at Rubenstein Communications, Susan was the firm’s first Director of its Consumer Practice, for which she drove the strategic development of its accounts and oversaw implementation of its campaigns. She has worked with a myriad of clients including the Duchess of York, Sheila C. Johnson, BMW, MINI, Gilt.com, the National Hockey League, American Express, Ian Schrager Hotels, the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, Us Weekly and Men’s Journal magazines, the London International Awards, Tribeca Film Festival, A Time for Children, and CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
As Edelman’s Senior Vice President of Media Services, Susan oversaw a team that enhanced the agency’s reach into top tier media, with clients including Unilever’s Dove’s “Campaign for Real Beauty,” Microsoft’s Xbox, Zune, Windows Vista, Burger King, Danon, Dickies, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Schering-Plough, Astra Zenica, Merck, Shell, and Wal-Mart. Most recently, she led SWAY Strategies, her own consulting and public relations practice, whose clients have included Verdero/CTG Athletics and Salamander Hospitality.
Susan is a former television producer for the long-running news magazine Inside Edition, where she ultimately served as Acting Managing Editor and later, for a division of MGM Television. She began her professional career in the White House Office of Media Affairs, under President George H.W. Bush.
In her spare time, Susan serves on the Board of Directors of Children’s PressLine, a not-for-profit organization that teaches journalism skills to underprivileged youth. An avid equestrienne, she has a background in veterinary medicine, and holds a BA received with honors from Hobart/William Smith College.
Steve Hoechster, Senior Vice President, Technology
Steve Hoechster as Senior Vice President of 5WPR's Corporate & Technology Marketing practice, applies more than 20 years experience to clients to solve a wide range of complex strategic challenges with inventive, effective communications and marketing initiatives. His business segment experience includes: automotive, chemicals, computers, consumer products, electronics, energy, financial services, health care, industrial systems, media, online marketing and services, professional services, software, specialty materials, and telecommunications. In the course of his career, Steve has worked with bootstrapping start-ups, emerging growth companies, industry icons.
He has devised and managed award-winning corporate marketing, advertising and public relations programs for companies such as Apple, AT&T Wireless, BMW, EDS, Fujifilm, General Electric, IBM, Ingersoll-Rand, Morton International, MCI, NCR, Samsung, Symantec, Sony, Washington Post Digital and Yahoo!. In addition, he has managed communications for CEO positioning/transitions, earnings announcements, M&As, IPOs and other material matters for several companies.
Prior to joining 5WPR, Steve managed the Corporate & Technology practice of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, another PR agency. Steve also served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing & Communications at Qwest Communications International, where he devised and directed the communications strategy for the company's hostile take-over of USWest. Previous to that he was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Edelman's Technology practice, where, among other things he oversaw the re-launch and re-listing of NCR, directing a corporate branding effort conducted in 16 countries around the globe.
Kellie Brown serves as Vice President at 5W Public Relations, managing accounts in the fashion, consumer and lifestyle practices. Brown’s career began in journalism covering music, entertainment and events; soon thereafter, she began coordinating and producing events for the fashion and entertainment industries. Before joining 5W Public Relations in 2005, Brown formed Kellie Brown Public Relations, a full service agency servicing primarily fashion, beauty, plastic surgery PR and lifestyle clients including Innex Beauty Inc., Laura Costagliola Jewelry, Elizabeth Charles Boutique, and the Lili Claire Foundation. Prior to that Brown spearheaded the New York office of Fusion Publicity where she worked with clients for fashion PR, accessories PR and food PR, including Tiger Beer, Toku Menswear, and The Revengers TV Show.
