HMA celebrating 30 years of agency history
Alison Bailin, Abbie Fink, Scott Hanson, and Beth Wilkinson
Longevity in a city like Phoenix is a treasured thing, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of HMA Public Relations.
I didn’t know the history behind the agency, and was interested to find out that it was originally started in 1980 by Ed Moser and was called Ed Moser and Associates. Scott Hanson joined the firm in 1986 and bought the company from Ed, and when Ed retired in 1991 the name was changed to Hanson, Moser and Associates. The last name change came in 2000 to HMA Public Relations.
David Cassidy look-alike
As far as they and I know, they’re among the oldest PR firms in town. I asked for early photos of Scott and they sent me this treasure, where he looks like David Cassidy with that lovely feathered hair (sorry, Scott! You know, I have the utmost respect for you). To celebrate this milestone, they have been focusing on good works in the community, including as just a sample:
- Assembling care packages for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. HMA worked with the local chapters of PRSA and IABC to assemble more than 400 packages.
- In March, they gathered a group of staffers and friends to participate in the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s Walk for Wishes in Tempe and each member walked in the 5K for a total of over 40 miles.
- The office has volunteered at the Junior Achievement Finance Park, where each employee helped guide more than 60 students on how to create and maintain a budget.
- They assembled a group of staffers and friends to participate in a bowl-a-thon to raise funds for Angels on Patrol, a nonprofit organization that supports youth who have been severely abused or neglected and/or whose caregivers are facing extreme hardship.
Community-oriented
I asked them how they explain their approach and attitude about community service, particularly in an era where people are so distrustful of sincere motivation. Abbie Fink, the agency’s vice president and general manager, and the longest tenured employee (17 years on July 1), told me that they have always had a culture of giving back, and encourage their team members to get involved with something they are passionate about. The agency always has had 2 – 3 pro bono clients on their roster, largely the result of a employee’s involvement with the organization or an organization approaching them independently.
Looking back…
Things have changed in 30 years. From Scott’s perspective, when Ed Moser started the firm, there were large multinational firms locally. Back then much of the decision-making was happening right here in the Valley, but now we have become more of a regional hub with decisions being made outside of the market. We moved at a much slower pace back then, he says. You would write a press release or create a media kit and actually send it in the mail to an editor. Telephone follow-up might have resulted in a reporter being assigned to the story.
…and looking forward
So what’s next for the next 30 years? According to Scott,”We will continue to see an evolution in media. Hardcopy publications will become even more scarce than they are now. Today’s twitter was yesterday’s e-mail. Last week’s fax machine was last month’s courier. Hopefully the PR disasters of today will further open the door for the prominence of communications counsel in the future.”
“Old” is relative
You have to be impressed with 30 years of achievement, especially in Phoenix. Without knocking the city, I have to share this story with you. When I moved from Boston to Phoenix in 1988, I contacted a friend of a friend to get advice about where to live. I mentioned a certain apartment complex to him, and he responded quickly, “Oh you don’t want to live there, those apartments are old.” I replied, “How old?” He answered emphatically, “They are at least five years old.”
Congratulations on your 30th anniversary, HMA. That’s a milestone by any measure.
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Comments
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Thanks Linda!
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I’ve been lucky enough to be with HMA since 2004 – and to have seen Scott’s video of his hairdo’s throughout the years. I am thinking that will need to be posted to our HMA Facebook Page for the world to “enjoy.”
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Yes, thank you Linda! As HMA’s least tenured employee (2 years on July 7 – woop!) I can say that I’ve learned a lot in my few years here. HMA has been a great place for growth and discovery of what this industry is all about. And we’ve had our fun, too (see: ridiculous holiday card of us in a Disneyland teacup).
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Best Job ever, besides the one I have now, loved working for Scott and Abbie and as I was reading through the history, I was part of that I remember when the name changed to HMA and how could I forget? Abbie how many mailings had to go out?
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I’m proud to say I’m a former HMA-er circa 2000. It’s the place where I cut my teeth in media relations, learned the true meaning of client account service and made some lifelong friends. Happy 30th, HMA! Cheers!
And for the record, Scott’s hairdo might be a fluffy blast from the past, but if you look closely at these photos, you’ll see he hasn’t changed a bit.
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Oh the characters AND character inside the hallowed halls of HMA…. I had the good fortune and great luck to land on HMA’s doorstep nearly nine years ago. As a recent transplant from the midwest with about zero professional experience and about 25 years tallied up in the life column I was grateful when Abbie phoned to offer me a position with HMA. The business acumen I absorbed from Scott and Abbie in the 4 years I spent with HMA has helped me in nearly every position I’ve held professionally since then. Team HMA consistently shines within their field and I am proud to say I got to be a part of that light for 4 awesome years. Rock on HMA!
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I want to join in and celebrate HMA’s 30th Anniversary. What a great PR company! An astounding group of smart, hard working savvy public relations professionals, that once upon a time, welcomed me with open arms and made me part of their team.
Thank you Scott Hanson, thank you Abbie Fink! And thank you Alison and Beth!
As a former HMA team member, I can state that their work ethics and their commitment to provide the best service possible to their clients are beyond belief. I admire and recommend HMA Public Relations anywhere at anytime! Here’s to 30 more years of good PR work! The Valley of the Sun deserves this great team!
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
It’s so nice to see this sort of a feature! Congrats to all of the great people at HMA! I’ve had the pleasure to work with you over the years as a journalist and editor (now in the biz), you have always been great and I wish you a very happy anniversary! I hope you are celebrating.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:18 pm
So many great things came from my time with HMA. My all time favorite memories include: couch shopping, spring training day, DEC ground breaking, “love” game in the hotel lobby, ice cold miller lite on a Friday afternoon (or, a Tuesday), I could go on forever! To know you is to love you. Mad respect for all HMA’ers–past, present and future!
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Used to use Ed Moser’s clipping service (Newscount, I believe it was called), including videos, where Polly (can’t remember the last name) was Ed’s right hand man and our account executive.
For some reason I thought Scott came down from Flagstaff (if I’m not confusing him with someone else) and started doing the weekend sports in ’88, not ’86.
For longevity, it would be Pete Klute, if he’s still operating, followed by Moses Anshell, then B J Communications and HMA would fit in there with places like Barclay. I could be wrong. It was terrific seeing all the past presidents at IABC last week. I returned to Arizona just before Fran Booth became IABC president. She, Trudy Thompson Rice and the dean of Phoenix PR, Francine Hardaway, would know for sure (all ex- IABC Phoenix presidents)!
I may be wrong on those facts, but I know you never want to play baseball against Scott. I’ve never been that big an idiot to try it, but I’ve watched him plan on several occasions.
June 23rd, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Congrats to my friends at HMA. A couple of items. We started this agency in 1982, making it one of the older ones in the valley.
Were you aware that Lee Whitehead was a partner with Ed Moser. Lee was former PR manager at Greyhoud Bus Lines.
Enjog reading the blog. Keep it up!
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:28 pm
Linda, thanks for including us. It’s quite a fun trip down memory lane.
Iris(Polly) LeBarge was Ed’s general manager at NewsCount, where Mike Sshaldjien and I first met.
Yes, it was 1986 when I returned to Phoenix from Flagstaff and began working for Ed. I started started at KPHO-TV in ’88. The hair could have confused anyone!
A couple of those individuals and agencies mentioned are either sole practitioners or ad agencies that have traditionally had PR divisions. Either way, each is well respected and their longetivity in the market is to be commended.
A little fun at the old ballyard is good for the soul. Getting a couple of hits or making a nice dig every now and then adds to it. Admission is always free.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Great article!
Congratulations Scott, Abbie and the team at HMA Public Relations! I think what HMA is doing in the community is fantastic.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Congratulations from Media Watch AZ to all our HMA PR family.
Oh, and Scott – I really Dig the 80′s doo,man.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Gee, I must be old too. I remember when Ed owned the agency and Scott was on TV. Congratulations Scott, Abbie, et al. You guys do a great job!
June 24th, 2010 at 11:00 am
How fun to read the comments and see some of our friends stopping in to say hi and leave a comment. You all helped contribute to our success.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Congrats! Here’s to another 30
June 24th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Congratulations to HMA! And Kathy, I remember watching YOU on TV (you rocked, by the way).
June 25th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I have had the priveledge to work with HMA on and off over the past 20 years or so. First as an intern helping with their book tours while at ASU, to helping them out as a consultant after going out on my own. Scott and Abbie are two of my most favorite people and I wish them, the agency and their great staff nothing but the best for the next 30 years!!!
June 25th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Speaking of being here a LONG time, I remember when Kathy Kerchner was a terrific TV journalist (working for Pep Cooney – one of my heroes) before she opened those caves down by Benson. Oh Kartchner, not Kerchner caverns?
June 28th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Congratulations to Scott and his team. I remember Scott from his NAU days. He was outstanding, even back then. This kind of longevity is great for our industry and makes us all proud. Congrats to HMA.