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Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

Where is he now?
Executive Director/Strategic Development at Krupp Kommunications

On his favorite campaign at PTA . . .
Pol Martin “Canada’s Greatest Chef!” This was his first American cookbook – one of the first placements I booked him on was “Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.” His big “thing” was flambe. When he poured the cognac, a huge flame went up and Regis went nuts – he loved Pol!

There was a season when I worked with both Smokey Robinson and Yogi Berra. Great times, particularly hanging out with Smokey and his manager. Amazing stories were shared.

The single greatest technological advancement since his time at PTA . . .
Has anyone replied anything OTHER than the Internet/email? So to be different, I’ll go with the single cup coffee machine. That was a game changer!

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
So many stories….
I was given my best nickname ever at PTA (by Jeff Ross Jacomowitz): Tbird. Still called that by many. My first desk was the box our first computer came in. It sat by the refrigerator and I had to move it when anyone wanted something from the fridge.

We had a rule in the early days: “No bad news accepted after 3:00pm on Fridays.” It was a great rule. I made terrific friends at PTA (and Ruder Finn) over the years and gained invaluable experience. Listen & learn…

Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

Where is he now?
Public Affairs Associate Director at Continuum Health Partners (Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital)

On his favorite campaign at PTA . . .
I had many and PTA was an amazing experience.  The many road tours and book signings (Evander Holyfield)….MDRTs such as William Shatner, Lou Reed, John Cleese, Tom Glavine, John Kruck, Paul Reiser, Norman Mailer, many many more.  PTA was amazing . . .

The single greatest technological advancement since his time at PTA . . .
The Internet came about when I was with PTA, and we started using the Internet in 1993 when the Ruder Finn move happened.  These were pre-social media years.  The Internet allowed us to research the media more intelligently.

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
Personally the best time internally was when David Hahn had his triplets and when Mike Levine felt like giving you $100 for doing a good job that day.

Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

On his favorite campaign at PTA . . .
Has to be the Harvey Mackay on his Pushing the Envelope tour. We won a Bulldog and did interesting stuff like booking Harvey at the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and, instead of taking a speaking fee, getting him a box at the Kentucky Derby.

Working with Bob Watson when he was GM of the Yankees a close second. Great human being. He made a trade on his cell phone while we were riding to an event.

If you were to give your time at PTA a TV or movie title, what would it be called? Who would play you in the movie/TV show?
A Pitch & A Prayer. George Clooney. He’s from back home. We had the same haircut for a long time and people used to always say, “Did anyone ever tell you that you look like George Clooney?”

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
I actually had a lot of fun working there. I mean, where else could you play tennis on Roosevelt Island at lunch? Plenty of after work hanging out. Talking baseball with Paul Schwartz. I had a good boss, David Hahn, who knew when to step in and when to let you roll on your own.

I can’t mention everyone in this box, but I made a number of friends I stay in touch with and I’m not really a “stay-in-touch” guy. Happy 50th!

Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

Where he is now . . .
Group Manager, Internal and External Communications at SuperMedia

On his favorite campaign at PTA . . .
Favorite would have to be the campaign David Hahn and I did for Southwest Airlines – - book was called NUTS: Southwest Airlines Crazy Recipe for Success, written by Kevin and Jackie Frieberg. We had full access to Southwest and Herb Kelleher was our spokesperson. Great book and awesome man. We had some great hits  – - Associated Press, CNBC, Nightly Business Report.

The single greatest technological advancement since his time at PTA . . .
Too many to list. We really didn’t have this little thing known as the Internet. All we had was a phone and a fax. Man, I’m old.

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
PTA was awesome – - Rick, David, Hillary and David are the best. How I met my wife: First MDRT – Margaret McAllister told me to contact KRLD-AM in Dallas. Producer there is very nice. May not take my pitch, but she will listen to you . . .

. . . Aki and I will be celebrating our 15th Anniversary in September. Two kiddos.

Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

Where she is now . . .
Managing Director, McAllisterPR

On her favorite campaign at PTA . . .
I would have to choose Richard Simmons. Working with Richard was a milestone in my career. It really expanded my PR experience to a whole new level, and he remains a client and friend to this day.

The single greatest technological advancement since her time at PTA . . .
When I started at PTA we didn’t even have e-mail, and there were only about 4 computers that the staff had to share, so the advances have been significant. I would have to say social media is the biggest advance overall. Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. have really changed the way we do our jobs.

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
PTA was an amazing training ground. In the early 90s the company was still so small that the members of my “graduating class” really had the benefit of hands-on mentoring from senior management. A lot of amazingly talented people got their start at PTA and have gone on to great success.

Planned Television Arts has provided many a beginning in the world of public relations. In celebration of our 50th anniversary and new name, we reached out to some former PTA staff members to gather their memories of their time at Planned Television Arts.

Where she is now . . .
Freelance TV producer

On her favorite campaign at PTA . . .
I worked with Kristin Clifford in the Satellite department.  I worked with several authors, politicians, musicians, actors, etc. My two favorite were President Jimmy Carter and Christopher Reeve.

The single greatest technological advancement since her time at PTA . . .
Facebook! It’s great way to stay in touch with clients, colleagues, and friends. Great way to learn about new and upcoming projects.

Additional Memories Worth Sharing . . .
Just wanted to say thank you to Rick Frishman and PTA for a great eight years. Thanks to you, I have the best job on earth! Here’s to another 50! Good luck!

Planned Television Arts (PTA) is celebrating 50 years of author promotion and public relations. In honor of reaching this milestone — looking forward to the next 50 years — we’re proud to announce our company’s new name: MEDIA CONNECT.