Ivy Lee

Ivy Ledbetter Lee (July 16, 1877 – November 9, 1934) was an American publicity expert and a founder of modern public relations. Known for his work with the Rockefeller Family, Lee advised major industrial corporations, including railroads, steel, automobile, tobacco, meat packing, and rubber companies, as well as public utilities, banks, and even foreign governments. He pioneered the use of internal magazines and newsletters to maintain employee morale and utilized news releases and stockholder reports to communicate with the media. Additionally, Lee provided pro bono work to enhance his public image and played a significant role in shaping public relations practices during World War I.