Jonathan Lehrer

About this site: Several years ago, I had the foresight (or insanity – you decide!) to register the domain name “MrCommunicator.com” for a purpose not quite defined.

On my birthday, Feb. 1, 2011, I officially began blogging here, as a gift to my ego. (And I’m still waiting for that thank-you note.) The purpose of this blog is to offer helpful tips and perspective to professional communicators; and to share ideas and insights from friends and respected colleagues in this field.

More about this site: MrCommunicator.com – Chicago communications consultant is built on WordPress, “Wilson” theme, designed to make blogs readable on all devices, thanks to good typography and simple layouts.

About me:  In 2015, I joined the College of American Pathologists in Northfield, Ill. as senior manager, enterprise communications.

With more than 30 years as a professional communicator, I have been a public relations consultant with special focus on Internet communications, including social media, websites and e-newsletters. (Here are examples of professional websites and blogs made with WordPress.)

During five years as marketing/communications consultant for the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, a Chicago-based social justice organization, I led the launch of a newsblog, several microsites, a YouTube channel and frequent ongoing enewsletters to JCUA’s constituency.

Following my graduation from Northwestern University with a degree in Speech (Radio-TV-Film), I was an editor, reporter and news anchor for several Chicago and suburban radio stations. In 1981, I joined the AAA-Chicago Motor Club’s public relations department, leaving 18 years later as vice president of public affairs, chief media spokesperson and editor of the 400,000-circulation membership magazine.

Eighteen years was a long time to be in one place. I left AAA to form Jonathan Lehrer Communications (clever name, eh?)  focusing on member, constituent and customer communication for healthcare clients, nonprofits, small businesses and Jewish organizations.

In 2005, I co-founded Pukelis & Lehrer Communications (aka “The Message Engineers”). We provided public relations services and enewsletter communications for several multi-billion-dollar highway re-construction projects in Chicago.

Along the way, I became adept at WordPress, Constant Contact, Convio, Blackbaud NetCommunity, Survey Monkey, Facebook and social media. My firm is now listed officially as a Chicago-based Constant Contact Solutions Provider.

I occasionally give presentations and workshop on new media, speaker training and communications planning.