A self-made business success, Simon PR President Lisa Simon is a leader in the public relations field

PHILADELPHIA, PA – June 28, 2010 – Lisa Simon, president and founder of Simon Public Relations Group, Inc., one of the region’s premier boutique public relations agencies located on the Avenue of the Arts in the historic Bellevue, was inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) Hall of Fame on June 14, 2010 in the Rose Garden Ballroom at the Hyatt at The Bellevue.

Celebrating its 65th Anniversary as an organization, PPRA annually recognizes one public relations professional who has brought esteem and recognition to both public relations and the broader community by inducting them into the Hall of Fame - an honor bestowed upon them by existing Hall of Fame members. Simon was selected as 2010’s honoree due to her commitment to the region, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her dedication to advancing the public relations profession.

“Simon is someone who truly makes us all proud to be part of the PR community here in the Greater Philadelphia region,” said Bill Cowen, PPRA President and president of Metrospective Communications LLC. “I look forward to our organization celebrating her esteemed professional success and dedication to PPRA with this well deserved and timely honor.”

Since founding Simon Public Relations Group, Inc. in 1990, Simon has built a thriving, award-winning agency with a client list that includes some of the region’s top names in business such as PNC, Shire Pharmaceuticals, and Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT). Simon PR recently established a satellite office in New Jersey, and in 2008, the agency became the Philadelphia partner of Worldcom Public Relations Group, the global network of independently owned public relations firms.

A prominent figure in the Philadelphia public relations community, Simon joined PPRA in 1989 and has held every chair and board position, including President in 2004. Additionally, over the years Simon has contributed to a multitude of non-profits through volunteer time, guidance, and pro bono work, and she has inspired many young professionals who have worked at Simon PR.

Simon earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from the University of Rochester in 1984. She began her career as a community reporter at the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers in Livonia, MI, and after moving to Philadelphia, worked in hospital public relations before posts in several of the City’s top public relations firms. She currently resides in Cherry Hill, NJ with her husband and three children and serves on the board of the Gershman Y, is a founding member of the eWomen Network, South Jersey chapter, and was the PTA President of James A. Johnson Elementary.

Founded in 1945, PPRA is the leading association for public relations in the Greater Philadelphia area, and one of the region’s pre-eminent professional development organizations. With more than 400 active members representing a diverse cross section of businesses and non-profit organizations including: arts and culture, film and television, education, government, healthcare, law, sports, science and technology, philanthropy, tourism and hospitality, and much more, PPRA is one of the largest independent public relations organizations in the country. Members of PPRA are dedicated professionals who, through various outlets including the media, bring greater understanding to what’s happening in the region. To learn more about PPRA, visit www.ppra.net.