The Evolving Face of PR

On November 19, my guest will be Alan Winnikoff.  Alan is co-principal of Sayles & Winnikoff Communications, the boutique public relations firm he co-founded in 2003, along with his partner, Carina Sayles.  Alan shares in the strategic direction and overall management of the company. The agency’s focus is primarily, though not exclusively, on companies, product and content for the children’s and family market.  Sayles & Winnikoff also works with a wide range of arts, media and entertainment companies, as well as non-profits and start-ups.

Alan is responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of the company and the account team.  With a recognized expertise in branding and messaging, he sets the agenda for, and manages, the agency’s client relationships.

Alan was one of the founding executives of Sony Wonder, the family entertainment division of Sony Music. He helped launch the label in 1993 and directed all PR efforts there for seven years, working with such high profile brands as Sesame Street and Nickelodeon Home Video.  He left Sony Wonder in 2000 to join the children’s Internet company MaMaMedia.  He has also held executive PR and marketing positions at the cable news channel MSNBC and at IDG Books, the publishers of the For Dummies series and Frommer's Travel Guides, among other brands.

Alan began his career in Los Angeles with The Lippin Group Public Relations. He moved to New York and ran the firm’s New York office, then joined Worldvision Enterprises, a worldwide television syndication company, owned by Aaron Spelling Productions.  As Vice President, Communications, he was involved with the Hanna Barbera library, as well as with shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place and Twin Peaks.