Company: Jacobson Strategic Communications, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Company Description: Jacobson Strategic Communications is a full- service public relations and communications agency that provides visibility and recognition for businesses, companies and organizations both locally and nationally. Jacobson has created a business model unlike any other in the communications realm. Each client works with a team of at least 3 agile, talent- driven experienced senior leaders.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Business Services –10 or Less Employees

Nomination Title: Susan Jacobson, President

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur since the beginning of July last year (up to 525 words): TEXT REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION

Susan Jacobson is the President of Jacobson Strategic Communications. In this role, she has created a business model unlike any other in the communications industry. The model takes the best communications senior talent comprised primarily of stay-at-home moms and empty nesters and empowers them with a healthy work-life balance. This model benefits both the team as well as the clients. Through collaboration, experience, and strong, enduring relationships, Jacobson is truly a unique organization.

Susan’s leadership has led the company to exceed each client’s expectations and achieve notable recognition in the Public Relations and Media business.

Among the recognitions Jacobson has received are a Philadelphia Public Relations Society of America award, a Philadelphia Business Journal award for fastest growing woman-owned firm in the region, and a SmartCEO Future 50 award for fast growing, mid-sized companies.

In the fall of 2014, Jacobson won a Philadelphia Public Relations Society of America award for their transformative work on the Pre-K for PA campaign. The goal of the campaign was to bring high quality pre-k to the children of Pennsylvania. As a result of Jacobson’s efforts, nearly 500 organizations and 10,000 individual Pennsylvanians endorsed the campaign. Jacobson garnered unprecedented press coverage for the campaign, obtaining over 60 media hits in Southeast Pennsylvania alone.

In the fall of 2014, Jacobson received a Philadelphia Business Journal designation as the 14th fastest growing company and the fastest growing woman-owned company in the region. This recognition is one of the most sought after honors in the Mid Atlantic. Jacobson has grown over 400% since its inception in 2010, an expansion that has led to office locations in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Southern Florida. This immense growth is the direct result of Jacobson’s unique team structure that fosters successful relationships.

In the winter of 2014, Jacobson received a SmartCEO’s Future 50 award. This award recognized Susan’s business tactic to carve out time each day to connect with business associates, clients, and contacts as a strategic way to grow her business. Susan’s “lets talk” motto emphasizes that “every relationship begins with a conversation.” It is the relationships that Jacobson fosters with its clients and the media that have led to the company’s extraordinary success.

Susan believes that great communications companies have the ability to seek out exceptional talent. She has a remarkable forte for recognizing an individual’s particular skill set and fostering an environment of teamwork and openness of ideas without hierarchical structures. Her ability to motivate her team through the turbulent tides of the PR world allows the company to provide the best possible results for its clients and reshape the way we think about Public Relations.

In today’s fast-paced world, Jacobson is redefining traditional approaches to communications. With a strong record that demonstrates the team’s capabilities and shows that this model works for clients, Jacobson puts ideas into motion and — most importantly — the clients see the results.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 125 words):

Susan Jacobson is President of Jacobson Strategic Communications, a public relations and public affairs company that provides specialized, targeted communications services to prominent local and national clients.

Before working in the communications sector, Susan served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Philadelphia Mayor Rendell. In 1999, the Mayors of Pennsylvania presented Susan with the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities Award for Outstanding Service, and in 2008 she received the “Women of Distinction” Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Susan currently serves as the Pennsylvania State Lead to the White House Office of Public Engagement and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.