GolinHarris

Al Golin begins his public relations career as a field press representative with MGM Studios, where he covered offices from Cleveland, Ohio, to Omaha, Nebraska, and just about everything in between.

Al joins Max Cooper & Associates. The staff was six and at that time, the practice of public relations was essentially a publicity function.

Al places a cold call to Ray Kroc, founder of the then-fledgling McDonald's hamburger chain. As a result of this call, Mr. Kroc asked Al to come over and meet with him. An hour later, Al began working for McDonald's for a retainer of $500 a month. More than 50 years later, Golin/Harris is still working for McDonald's, but Al admits, "the monthly retainer is a bit more than $500."

Max Cooper & Associates is renamed Cooper, Burns & Golin as Al is named a full-fledged partner and Ben Burns joins the firm. Burns background was journalism. He launched Ebony magazine with publisher John Johnson and was the publication's first editor.

Cooper, Burns & Golin moves into offices at 360 North Michigan Avenue.

Ben Burns leaves firm, which is renamed Cooper & Golin, to become a full-time author.

Cooper & Golin opens its first offices in San Francisco.

Cooper & Golin opens its first office in London.

McDonald's celebrates its 15th anniversary and its 12-year partnership with Cooper & Golin. It was during the early 70's that Al and Ray Kroc developed the concept of the TrustBank.

Al commissions Norman Rockwell to paint the McDonald's annual report cover art.

Max Cooper leaves to become a full-time McDonald's franchise and pursue his hobby of producing Broadway musicals. The firm is renamed Golin Communications.

Golin Communications creates the first corporate sponsorship of a national telethon by signing on with Jerry Lewis and his annual muscular dystrophy telethon.

The firm is re-named Golin/Harris Communications to reflect the significant contributions of Tom Harris.

Expansion beyond Chicago is furthered by the agency's acquisition by Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB)

Golin/Harris' first office in New York opens and Golin/Harris takes over management of the public relations offices in Philadelphia and London owned by FCB.

Golin/Harris is acquired by Shandwick International.

Tom Harris retires from the firm to teach courses in public relations and integrated marketing at Northwestern University, and write books about marketing and public relations.

To salute the man who helped make community services part of the McDonald's way of life, McDonald's establishes the "Al Golin TrustBank Award" and makes Al the first recipient. It is to be given annually to one of McDonald's worldwide public relations firms that best reflects Al's commitment to community service.

Golin/Harris is named "Agency of the Year" by Inside PR.

Golin/Harris relocates its corporate headquarters from 500 North Michigan to 111 East Wacker Drive.

Golin/Harris Communications is acquired by the Interpublic Group of Companies and renamed Golin/Harris International.

Golin/Harris begins its expansion into Asia by opening the Tokyo and Hong Kong offices.

GolinHarris merges with The Nixon Group and subsequently creates a presence in Miami, Florida

Al Golin publishes his first book, "Trust or Consequences: Build Trust Today or Lose Your Market Tomorrow.'' Al embarks on a worldwide tour speaking to various industry groups in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Golin/Harris merges with the Benjamin Group and opens an office in Orange County.

Golin/Harris merges with the Weber Group in London expanding the already existing team and capabilities.

Golin/Harris further expands in Europe with new locations in Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Paris and The Hague.

Golin/Harris expands its presence in Greater China by opening offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Golin/Harris begins a re-branding initiative, introducing a new brand identity and a revised brand name - GolinHarris.

GolinHarris launches two key specialty practices - Change (Corporate Social Responsibilities) and Insidedge (Employee Communications).

GolinHarris establishes three new offices- Baltimore, Dubai and Toronto.

McDonald's, a client of 48 years, honors its partnership with GolinHarris by naming an award after Founder Al Golin. The Al Golin Public Relations Award of Excellence will be presented annually to the McDonald's franchisee and/or organization that best exemplifies the commitment of building trust through community involvement.

GolinHarris kicks off its 50th anniversary year.

GolinHarris named Agency of the Year 2007 by The Holmes Report and Large Agency of the Year 2007 by PRWeek Awards.

GolinHarris launches GeoImpact, Sustainability Practice

GolinHarris honored for Campaign of the Year by PRWeek Awards for Nintendo: Wii Launch

GolinHarris honored as best companies to work for in: Atlanta, Chicago, London and Miami by Atlanta Business Chornicle, Crain’s Chicago Business, the London Sunday Times and the South Florida Business Journal.

GolinHarris establishes two new offices - Jeddah and Stockholm.