John Williams, a sales/marketing veteran of PR Newswire, died Nov. 22. He was 66.
Williams |
The member of the founding family of the Dunkirk (N.Y.) Evening Observer began a career in journalism in 1966 at the New York Daily News.
After a brief stint at the News, Williams served in Vietnam as a member of the Air Force, where he documented effectiveness of combat fighters in the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands. He returned to journalism in 1970, reporting for United Press International in Los Angeles and New York.
Williams joined Citibank’s PA unit in 1973 and CBS’ corporate PR operation in 1978. He exited Business Wire for the senior VP/sales and marketing post at PRN Newswire in 1986.
At PRN, Williams is remembered for spearheading its push into China.
Dave Armon, ex-president, PRN said Williams “had a keen sense of knowing where the economic levers of power would change globally and what opportunities lied within.”