OHIO alumna finds success in the world of public relations

Relevance International founder and CEO Suzanne Rosnowski, BSJ ’01, has built one of the fastest-growing independently owned public relations firms. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Rosnowski

Suzanne Rosnowski (Billett), BSJ ’01, has forged her way to the top in the world of public relations. Fueled by a desire to continuously challenge herself and a commitment to a growth in ever-expanding services and locations, the founder and CEO of Relevance International has built one of the fastest-growing independently owned public relations firms.

Relevance International represents a vast number of the most successful brands in the fields of real estate, luxury goods, design and hospitality. Since its establishment in 2012, the firm has grown tremendously, expanding its New York operations to London this past October and building a global referral network to reach key media globally.

“It’s been very rewarding to grow a brand much bigger than myself and work with such a dynamic team,” Rosnowski said. “I always enjoy a new challenge and being a part of industry innovation, and doing what I do every day, I am fulfilled.”

Rosnowski’s rapid success in public relations has earned her a prominent name in business. PR News designated her as one of the “Top 15 to Watch” nationally, and, most recently, global media company Forbes appointed Rosnowski to its Forbes Agency Council, an exclusive, invitation-only network of senior-level executives of public relations, media strategy, advertising and creative firms.

As a member of the council, Rosnowski will regularly contribute content to Forbes and hopes to use this opportunity as a platform to be a role model for working women. A highly sought-after speaker, Rosnowski has spoken at The Wharton School of Business on both entrepreneurship and leadership, as well as various conferences in New York. As a wife and mother of three, Rosnowski said it is possible for women to balance business and family life.

“At the onset of my career, most of the people I was looking up to were men because there weren’t very many women breaking the ‘glass ceiling’ at that time and I wanted to be a part of changing that,” Rosnowski said. “I want my daughters and son to see examples of women running their own businesses and leading innovation.”

Rosnowski began building her public relations background at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and her business acumen as one of the first students to take advantage of the newly-formed Global Leadership Center (GLC). A two-year undergraduate certificate program, the GLC, which gave Rosnowski her minor in international business, enables students to work in teams of students from OHIO, in partnership with students in other countries on real-world consulting projects. Trips to Hungary and multiple trips to Hong Kong with the GLC introduced Rosnowski to the world of international collaboration and opportunities.

“I learned so much by having the opportunity to travel and problem solve across borders,” Rosnowski said. “Running a PR business takes skill in both business and communication, as well as general leadership, and Scripps School and the GLC both prepared me very well.”

Rosnowski kicked off her career in Hong Kong at Laykin Communications. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked at a healthcare public relations firm and later managed public relations for a program within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

As she gained more experience, Rosnowski was ready to tackle a new challenge: New York City. She joined Quinn, a lifestyle public relations agency in the city, and eventually became a partner and part-owner. After 10 years with the company, Rosnowski departed to create her own self-funded venture on her own, Relevance New York, in 2012. Approximately five years later, Relevance went international with the London office and rebranded as Relevance International. She plans to continue global growth with future offices.

“The Bobcats hires I have made have been very talented and have a strong work ethic,” Rosnowski said. “I encourage those who want to come to New York and work in PR to come to Relevance for internships, and if they are strong, they could become hires and future PR stars.”

For more information about Rosnowski or Relevance International, visit the firm’s website.