Born into a rough-and-tumble Irish area in Lafayette, Indiana, just before the turn of the century, Stephen Hannagan eventually became a highly successful pioneer of public relations. His rise from cub reporter in high school to force of nature in the advertising and public relations worlds is described in a new book released by Dog Ear Publishing.
"Steve Hannagan: Prince of the Press Agents and Titan of Modern Public Relations" tells the story of Hannagan, who would create groundbreaking publicity campaigns for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Coca-Cola, Sun Valley, Miami Beach, Las Vegas, the Union & Pacific Railroad and the 1940 presidential campaign.
Despite his inherent charm and street smarts, near the end of his life, Hannagan thought of himself as a failure who had contributed little to the world. His self-doubt was misplaced because his commonsense approach to marketing and public relations – known as the Hannagan Way – is deeply imbedded in the ethics of modern advertising. Hannagan's personality was just as strong as those he considered personal friends:
Ernest Hemingway,
Gloria Swanson, Gene Tunney, Toots Shor and Eddie Rickenbacker.
With the book, Michael Townsley sheds light on this press agent who went on to be the toast of Hollywood, Broadway and anywhere spot-on public relations needed to happen. It serves as a testament to Hannagan, a force of nature in the world of promotion and public relations.
Foreward Reviews praises the book's behind-the-scenes views of newspapers in the first part of the 20th century and its historical significance. "On-point descriptions impart Hannagan's keen understanding of what stories appeal most to editors and readers. Accounts of his agility at straddling the sometimes-fine line between journalism and publicity deliver insights into navigating this complex territory," the review notes.
Author Michael Townsley, a senior consultant in finance for Stevens Strategy, has served as senior vice president for finance, marketing and administration at Wilmington University in Delaware. During his tenure at Wilmington, its marketing project won national recognition for its innovative design. He also has been a professor of business and dean of the business program at Becker College in Massachusetts.
Townsley, who has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, has written the books "Financial Strategy for Higher Education," "Weathering Turbulent Times" and "Small College Guide to Financial Health: Beating the Odds." He's also written articles and chapters for textbooks on finance, IT systems for financial management, Management and higher education marketing.
For additional information, please visit stevehannagan.com.
Steve Hannagan: Prince of the Press Agents and Titan of Modern Public Relations
Michael K. Townsley
Dog Ear Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4575-6371-3 378 pages $19.99 US
Available at Ingram, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and fine bookstores everywhere.
Dog Ear Publishing partners with authors to shape content that resonates with readers as diverse as the books we publish. Our mission is to leverage expertise, technology and relationships to form a meaningful and lasting bond between creators, content and culture as a whole. Dog Ear Publishing is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and can be contacted by phone at (317) 228-3656 or through www.dogearpublishing.net.
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