Big Changes in Indianapolis’ Borshoff PR

Borshoff PR is the largest public relations firm in the Indianapolis area with 56 employees, and they report the third largest revenues at $10.7 million of revenue in 2014. The firm opened for business in 1984 and later was bought by the current three women owners, Susan Matthews (Managing Principal), Jennifer Dwzonar (Principal), and Karen Alter (Principal).

Susan Matthews was named one of Indianapolis Business Journal’s 2014 Women of Influence. She began her career at Borshoff as the bookkeeper and receptionist and she believes strongly in developing existing employees. Along with one of the Vice Presidents of the firm she has held an annual boot camp to increase skill, awareness and understanding about job requirements and the firm’s history.

She also instituted quarterly meetings with the staff to go over key financial numbers so employees can understand the financial standing of the firm.

Matthews’ previous work history includes an internship at Birmingham News in Connecticut and Tulane University’s news service and publication department. She moved to the Indianapolis area in 1985 and was the first employee hired by the Borshoff firm after it opened its doors.

But Susan Matthews plans to sell her ownership and step down after 30 years with the firm at the end of 2015. Dwzonar and Alter will continue forward, and two of their long-timer employees will be buying ownership interests and become principals in the firm. The two added owners are Katherine Coble and Jennifer Berry. Ms. Coble will help develop new and existing talent in the firm and oversee account development.

Ms. Berry will be in charge of developing customer engagement strategies for clients and increasing agency services. Dwzonar will become the new Managing Principal while Alter assumes the umbrella role over all of the agency-wide services.

Past and current clients of the firm include the University of Notre Dame, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, J.D. Byrider, Buckingham Companies, Hurco, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Indianapolis Power & Light Co.

Matthews will continue with the firm on a limited basis in the future as a consulting principal. She believes the company is on a forward trajectory and is excited to see what the future brings at Borshoff.