Backgrounder

Barbara Hunter speaking tour 

The Barbara Hunter speaking tour of the United States Eastern Seaboard will feature a celebration of the field of Public Relations and the achievements of Barbara Hunter during her industry-defining career. This tour will span ten states, beginning in February 2023 and ending in April that year. Barbara will recount her groundbreaking career to educate and inspire the new generation of PR professionals, students and enthusiasts. 

Barbara Way Hunter is the first woman in the US to found a PR agency in 1989. She and her sister were pioneers for women in the previously male-dominated field. Together, they bought the first female-owned public relations agency in America in the late 1960s. Their firm specialized in food and nutrition, marketing largely toward brands with female audiences in its early stages.  

The agency she founded, Hunter PR, thrives on professional integrity and a stellar word-of-mouth reputation among its clientele. Even after her retirement in 2000, her firm has continued to grow and set new standards for the industry. She maintains contact with the current firm owners who run it according to her lifelong vision and principles. 

Hunter PR operates under the motto “We earn it”, in reference to its reputation, client trust and portfolio of impressive campaigns. It remains female-led by its current CEO, Grace Leong. The firm boasts an impressive client list including Tabasco, Vera Bradley, and Amazon with multiple successful campaigns for each of its many customers. 

Awards won 

Personal award 

• Recipient of the Gold Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in 1983 

Firm Awards 

• Digital PR Firm of the Year in 2010 by PR News 

• A Top Place to Work in 2010 by PR News 

• Best New Production Launch in 2011 by PRSA