LOS ANGELES & COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National media consultants Steve Wilson, founder of Wilson Group Communications, Inc. and Brad Ritter, president of Brad Ritter Communications, LLC, have forged a partnership to expand the crisis communications training firm Wilson established in 1987.
Wilson was the Chicago bureau chief for USA Today before launching Wilson Group Communications. Ritter, a former Florida and Ohio television reporter, opened Ritter Communications in 1999 after working for regional public relations firm Paul Werth Associates and Mills James productions, one of the nation’s largest independent media production companies.
Ritter recently acquired Wilson’s Real World Media Training business, with Wilson remaining involved with marketing and serving as an advisor. His crisis management consulting practice was not included in the sale. Terms were not disclosed.
Wilson specialized in the chemical, petroleum, food and healthcare industries, having conducted more than 1,500 workshops in nearly every U.S. state, Canada and Mexico. His 2002 book, Real People, Real Crises, has been used extensively as a college text.
“Folding our client base into Brad’s made a lot of sense because we have very similar styles and approaches,” Wilson said. “My priority was to ensure that our clients – many of whom have been with us for more than 20 years – would have a new partner I had confidence in and could trust.”
Ritter Communications, with offices in Los Angeles and Columbus, has worked with clients in the automotive, financial services, hospitality, foodservice and other industries. He frequently speaks and conducts training programs at public and private sector conferences.
While Wilson focused on crisis media training, Ritter’s practice includes general media training and presentation coaching. “Ultimately, the clients are the real winners, as they will have access to additional services and expertise,” Ritter said. “Steve is one of the country’s most respected crisis communications trainers and counselors, and I am thrilled to be carrying on his programs and to have him as a resource.”
Wilson said clients will benefit from Ritter’s Next Generation Storytelling approach. “The social media explosion has created a whole new set of challenges for businesses, and Brad’s programs combine the best of my traditional crisis and media training with new techniques needed in today’s digital world.”
Visit www.bradritter.com/real-world-media-training for more information.
