Let's Give Thanks

I love the Oscars. The production, the glamour, the stars, the music. But, most of all I love the heartfelt thanks that each award winner has for those who made it possible.

Last night Hollywood paused and acknowledged and paid tribute to the excellence of its personnel. Excellence today and excellence of yesterday. I saw admiration, awe, love, homage, reverence, and respect.

For all of us caught up in the economic crisis, for all of us who are experiencing tough times, perhaps we too should pause from our daily trials of P&L management, new business proposals and client trauma and give thanks to our personnel.

There are great and wonderful people who toil in our PR agencies and client corporate departments. Pay them the respect and admiration they deserve. They are helping to keep our industry vibrant, innovative and exciting.

Thank your employees. Thank them for their hard work, their commitment, their dedication. And, while you’re at it, thank those who came before you. The great leaders who built great firms and paved the way for all of us to work in a field that we love.

We work in a wonderful industry, no matter what others may say. It’s time we acknowledged that publicly and not take a back seat to anybody.