Jack O’Dwyer, an American Original

Robert Dilenschneider

He was there when the public relations industry started. He tracked every important development. He called out the bad guys and exposed the charlatans for who they were, and he praised and supported the good guys.

He reflected a level of style, elegance and honesty at every turn.

In my early days in the business, I sat in rooms where Jack O’Dwyer was discussed with unhappiness, anger and, frequently, surprise. “How could he get that story?” was often the comment.

And Jack did get the story … and story after story.

It was my privilege to be with Jack and his beautiful wife Lucille on several occasions. How did he conduct himself? First, he always bent over backwards to see that Lucille was taken care of. Second, he took every occasion as an opportunity to look for news. He had a nose for it, which is why he found angles no one else got.

Jack O’Dwyer loved people. He helped the “little guy.” He was never intimidated by “the big guys.” And he always had a touch of that famous Irish wit in everything he did.

The world is a better place for O’Dwyer’s. Business is better, and people are more accountable.

Is there a downside to Jack? Yes indeed. There is only one of him.

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Robert L. Dilenschneider is founder and chairman of The Dilenschneider Group, a global public relations and communications consulting firm headquartered in New York City.