John D. Graham

John D. Graham is chairman of Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, one of the world’s leading strategic communications firms. Mr. Graham, who joined Fleishman-Hillard in 1966, is credited with growing the firm from a small one-office regional public relations firm into the international powerhouse of 80 offices that it is today. During his more than 30 years at the agency’s helm, Fleishman-Hillard has built a strong reputation by using strategic communications to deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations.
During his career, Mr. Graham has personally worked in nearly all aspects of public relations, including public affairs, financial strategy, corporate strategy, investor relations, crisis situations, employee relations, strategic media placement, opinion research, issues management and general counseling. He has personally counseled CEOs of many Fortune 100 companies.
In 2000, Mr. Graham became only the third agency PR executive to be inducted into the Arthur W. Page Society Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was named PR Professional of the Year by PR Week, andin 2002, the University of Missouri–Columbia awarded him the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism. In 2003, John received Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA’s) Gold Anvil award for his many contributions to the public relations industry. In 2005, the International Communications Consultancy Organization named John to its International Hall of Fame. In 2008, John received the Holmes Report’s SABRE Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Public Relations and the President’s Award from the International Public Relations Association. In 2009, John received PRSA’s first annual Paladin Award.
Mr. Graham has authored many articles on public relations and is a frequent speaker to industry groups. He attended the University of Missouri on both an athletic and a curator's scholarship and graduated from the School of Journalism.
During his career, Mr. Graham has personally worked in nearly all aspects of public relations, including public affairs, financial strategy, corporate strategy, investor relations, crisis situations, employee relations, strategic media placement, opinion research, issues management and general counseling. He has personally counseled CEOs of many Fortune 100 companies.
In 2000, Mr. Graham became only the third agency PR executive to be inducted into the Arthur W. Page Society Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was named PR Professional of the Year by PR Week, andin 2002, the University of Missouri–Columbia awarded him the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism. In 2003, John received Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA’s) Gold Anvil award for his many contributions to the public relations industry. In 2005, the International Communications Consultancy Organization named John to its International Hall of Fame. In 2008, John received the Holmes Report’s SABRE Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Public Relations and the President’s Award from the International Public Relations Association. In 2009, John received PRSA’s first annual Paladin Award.
Mr. Graham has authored many articles on public relations and is a frequent speaker to industry groups. He attended the University of Missouri on both an athletic and a curator's scholarship and graduated from the School of Journalism.