To B-Mers Wherever You Are:
There’s no exaggeration in the statement “once a B-Mer, always a B-Mer” -- even with many who departed less than voluntarily. And it’s true the world over. B-M “alumni” gatherings convene in most cities on the five continents where we have offices; I consider it an honor to have been invited to many of them.
Some time ago – when web sites were still a novelty – we undertook to establish a web page that facilitated communications from one former B-Mer to another and to keep each of you up-to-date on the firm’s ongoing activities. It worked – for a while. We simply failed to give it the attention required to make it a dynamic communications vehicle.
During the course of a year, I hear from a couple hundred of you from all parts of the world. Many e-mail to tell me about a new job or a promotion – and the role Burson-Marsteller played in their professional development. Others inquire about B-M colleagues long forgotten or ask if I have an e-mail address for a long-departed colleague. Sadly and increasingly, I learn from a spouse or a child or a mutual friend that someone has died with the specific notation how much he/she valued his/her days at Burson-Marsteller. I know of no other public relations firm that has the kind of “caring and sharing” culture so central to our daily existence.
It is good to know that we are now renewing our efforts to maintain – perhaps even strengthen – the bonds between Burson-Marsteller people past and present. I encourage every one of you to furnish us your e-mail address and a couple of paragraphs of what you’re doing and where you are. And please know that I am reachable at harold.burson@bm.com and that I continue to come to our New York office every day except when I am traveling.
Being an active part of the Burson-Marsteller family is embedded in my DNA – just as it is in many of you.
Sincerely,
Harold Burson