Franco Public Relations Group has made its home and grown in downtown Detroit for 45 years, and the Ren Cen-based firm expects to stay on that road to success for a while yet.
Lately the 17-person firm has added two new employees in the last year and expects to bring three more on by the end of the year. That's largely thanks to adding six new clients so far this year, rounding out its client list to 33.
"It's a pretty weird economy right now, but as hard as things are we're still landing clients," says Maria Leonhauser, president and co-owner of Franco Public Relations Group. “There’s still a need for our services.”
The company’s newest customers represent a diversification of its client base. There are the normal automotive-based firms, such as Kiekert Automotive, which makes door latches. Then there are some service-based companies such as
Forbes Tax Advocates and the
Milford Downtown Development Authority.
There are a few non-profits, such as
Arbor Hospice and
Covenant House Michigan, which works with at-risk and homeless youth. And on top of all of that is
Feld Entertainment, a production company for live performances like Disney On Ice and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
"From a diversification angle it's terrific," Leonhauser says.
Source: Maria Leonhauser, president and co-owner of Franco Public Relations Group
Writer: Jon Zemke
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.