Communications

Mike Deaver, a PR and White House legend, passed away this month. He was most recently Vice Chairman of Edelman International. Edelman’s website has a nice tribute to him, saying among other things: “His professional career spanned five decades, on behalf of heads of state and captains of industry around the world. He will be remembered for countless contributions to the art of communications, and for his years of service to our country in the stead of his longtime friend and boss, President Ronald Reagan, whom he started working with shortly after Reagan was elected California governor in 1966.”

Mike was also heavily involved in outreach and PR for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Apparently Mike was a driving force behind Gordon B. Hinckley’s (LDS Church President) interview on 60 Minutes several years ago, and other major PR initiatives for the Church. President Hinckley arose through the publicity ranks in the Church and has arguably initiated more public outreach than any other President in the Church’s history. Mike Deaver and President Hinckley made a great team.

As a member of the LDS Church and, of course, a PR professional, this connection has always interested me. The PR field has lost a giant.