ERIK DEUTSCH, Principal
Most kids aren’t hooked on TV news, but for Erik Deutsch it was a childhood obsession. Growing up, his favorite TV shows were newscasts, and he could name just about every anchor and reporter on the local stations (network and cable, too).
Over the years, this obsession with news media evolved into a passion for public relations and its potential to help shape how people perceive the world.
Today, Erik is a media strategist with more than 20 years of experience in PR, word-of-mouth marketing and content production. Before launching ExcelPR Group in 2004, he worked on staff and as a consultant for some of the world’s largest PR agencies where he managed campaigns for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
An early adopter of digital PR tactics, Erik helped launch Interactive PR News in 1995 as the first national newsletter on new media for public relations professionals. He served as managing editor and helped shepherd the publication’s acquisition by Access Intelligence (publisher of numerous titles including PR News).
Advocate & Educator
Erik is passionate about advancing the PR profession as an advocate and educator. He served as 2014 president of the Public Relations Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter (PRSA-LA) – the voice for PR professionals across the L.A. region. During his tenure, he led a 25-member board of directors, produced/hosted the first bi-coastal live media event between the Los Angeles and New York chapters, and oversaw a surge in membership.
Devoted to helping prepare the next generation of PR pros, Erik is an adjunct professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where he teaches graduate students in the Digital Media Management (DMM) Program. Previously, he served for more than 10 years as an instructor for UCLA Extension’s Strategic Branding & Public Relations Certificate Program, teaching courses on social media best practices and PR writing. He also served as an advisor to Pepperdine University’s undergraduate PR program and the Pepperdine Waves Chapter of PRSSA.
Other industry and civic engagement includes serving as chair of FilmLA’s Marketing & Communications Committee and as an advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Greenlight Hollywood Initiative (both tasked with retaining film/TV production in the L.A. area). He is also a voting member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS).
Erik earned an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA and a masters degree in communication management from USC’s Annenberg School.
In his downtime, he enjoys playing the drums (despite his near-total lack of musical talent) and admiring classic cars.
- Eater.com — “How to Respond When Employees Behave Badly”
- O’Dwyer’s PR News — “Public Relations in the Next 50 Years“
- TWC Local Edition (Video) – Interview with Erik Deutsch, PRSA-LA
- PRSA Tactics – “Branding Together: Inside Influencer-Targeted Events”
- PRNewser – “PR Experts Weigh in on Google/EU Ruling”
- Hollywood Drive (Textbook) — “Having an Online Presence”
- PRSA-LA – “Are Tweets Killing the Press Release”
- Social Media Week L.A. — “L.A.’s Advantage for Branded Content”
- Social Media Week L.A. — “From Headlines to Hashtags”
- PRSA Western District Conference – “Media Relations: TV News”
- L.A. Business Journal (Op-Ed) – “L.A. at Home with Branded Content”
- PRSA Tactics — “Bands and Brands: How to Electrify Festivalgoers”
- Adweek – “Giving Thanks for PRSA and the National Dog Show”
- Eater.com – “Chipotle’s Plan to Win Customers Back; Will It Work?”
- UCLA Newsletter – “Beyond Facebook: Social Media in the Classroom”
- CommPRO.biz – “SXSW Wrap Up: Working with Food Bloggers”
- Story Road Radio – “Today’s PR Pro”
- SXSWi – “DIY App & eBook Publishing: A Live Demonstration”
- BlogWorld/New Media Expo – “Getting Noticed: Building Your PR Plan”
- Digital Hollywood – “Social Media for Crisis Communications”
- Social Media Week L.A. – “How Social Media is Transforming Journalism”
- Social Media Club, Los Angeles – “Social Media in Regulated Industries”
- TECHmunch Food Blogger Conference (multiple cities)
- Internet Week NYC – “How Startups Can Get Noticed”
- SoCalBio Media Forum (Video) – “Bioscience Industry Coverage in L.A.”
- ASCRS – “Growing Your Practice with PR and Social Media”
