Ralph Crosby, Founder and Chairman of Crosby Marketing, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Maryland Chapter at its annual “Best in Maryland” awards gala recently held in Baltimore.
The award honors a public relations professional whose career has exhibited extraordinary achievements and demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of public relations.
Ralph graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Journalism in 1956 and began his career as a reporter, then columnist and editor for The Baltimore News American. He later served as a magazine editor and White House correspondent in Washington, D.C., and culminated his journalistic career as an editor with the Kiplinger organization.
He founded what would ultimately become Crosby Marketing in 1973. The firm had one part-time employee who worked from her basement. Today, with 50-plus employees and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C., Crosby ranks as one of the top 50 independent PR firms in the country. Clients include AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality); Catholic Relief Services; DAV (Disabled American Veterans); EPA Energy Star; Kaiser Permanente; Saint Agnes Hospital; and The Wallace Foundation.
“Being honored with this award is deeply meaningful to me. I have been very lucky to spend so many years working in a business that I love,” said Crosby. “The PRSA gala was a special occasion with my family and some of our incredibly talented team by my side.”
Ralph has put his experience as a marketer into a book, “It’s The Customer, Stupid! Lessons Learned In a Lifetime of Marketing.” He also has published numerous articles in national magazines, and he authored an earlier book on corporate communications titled “Person-to-Person Management.” Today, he provides high-level counsel to key clients and helps oversee the company’s strategic initiatives.
Crosby Marketing provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government and Nonprofits & Causes. The company’s mission of Inspiring Actions That Matter™ helps clients positively impact people’s lives and contribute to the greater good. To learn more, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.
