Fulfilling a Legacy

1963
Paul Werth opens doors with first client, Worthington Industries.
1965
Paul Werth is named President, Central Ohio Chapter of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
1968
Werth introduces Anheuser-Busch to Columbus.
1971
Paul Werth becomes chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy in recognition of his leadership within the industry.
1974
Werth receives its first national Silver Anvil Award for Homewood Corp./Ohio State University Solar Home Project — Excellence in Special Events.
1980
Werth Assists with groundbreaking for the Ohio Center, Columbus’ convention facility. Werth joins AEP team to plan relocation from New York City to Columbus.
1981
Nationwide becomes a client.
1983
Sandra Harbrecht joins Werth as Director, Client Services.
1985
Werth launches Chase Manhattan Bank in the Ohio market. Sandra Harbrecht becomes Werth President.
1986
Werth launches Prudential HealthCare’s PruCare in Ohio.
1987
Werth receives Silver Anvil for Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce — Excellence in Marketing Communications (Established Services).
1988
Werth receives Silver Anvil for the Rebuild Ohio Committee, State Issue 2 — Excellence in Public Affairs; Issue 2 approves bonding for $2 billion for infrastructure financing.

Werth receives Silver Anvil for White Castle — Excellence in Marketing Communications.
1990
Paul Werth is selected to the second class of PRSA's College of Fellows.
1991
Werth receives Silver Anvil for the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service — Excellence in National Marketing Campaign.
1993
Werth launches the Werth Poll. Werth opens Washington, D.C. office. Werth Receives double Silver Anvils: BP Lima Chemicals — Excellence in Community Relations, Business — Manufacturing; Ohioans for Responsible Health Information — Excellence in Public Affairs Association.
1994
Sandra Harbrecht becomes chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy, the international association of public relations firm leaders. Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) becomes a client.
1995
Werth receives Best of Silver Anvil, the highest honor bestowed for Franklin County Hospital Council’s Project L.O.V.E. — Excellence in Public Service Partnerships. Werth begins representing OSU Athletics.
1996
United States Department of Defense hires Werth.
1998
As a founding member, Werth helps launch national trade group — Council of Public Relations Firm. Werth partners with Jerome Schottenstein Center for opening festivities.
2000
Werth launches the national eCorridor branding campaign for Ohio Department of Development and establishes E3 OHIO technology coalition.
2001
Sandra Harbrecht is elected to the Board of the Council of Public Relations Firms.
2002
Dedication of the Paul and Margaret Werth Community Resource Center at the American Cancer Society.
2004
Werth acquires The Haunty Agency, a prominent local advertising agency.
2005
Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC) becomes a client. Werth acquires MMD Research.
2006
Werth and OBDC win American Business Awards: The Stevie for nation’s best business-to-business ad campaign. Kent State University Board of Trustees elects Sandra Harbrecht as Chair.
2008
Werth moves offices to the corner of Broad and High streets in Columbus.
2009
Werth begins a long-standing partnership with White Castle Systems, Inc.
2012
The Insurance Industry Resource Council partners with Werth on an ongoing public relations and marketing campaign to promote insurance careers throughout the state of Ohio: Insuring Ohio Futures.
2013
Werth helps develop, design and launch CelebrateOne, a program to reverse infant mortality death rates in central Ohio after convening the Greater Columbus Infant Mortality Task Force.
2017
Sandra Harbrecht is named CEO of the Year by Columbus CEO magazine.
2018
Werth becomes the public relations agency for the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance and begins building a statewide coalition to combat opioid addiction. Werth supports the fundraising for and opening of the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park.
2019
Julie Granillo, a Nashville leader in social enterprise, health care industry veteran, and granddaughter of the firm’s founder, joins the company to usher in the next generation of family involvement.
2020
Werth begins remote-only operations in the face of a devastating COVID-19 pandemic. In support of hard-hit organizations, Werth serves more than a dozen pro bono clients while maintaining all employees and full employee benefits.
2021
Werth launches the Gongwer-Werth Legislative Opinion Poll. Werth wins its 10th Silver Anvil Award for Insuring Ohio Futures.
2022
Werth relaunches federal practice to support Ohio companies seeking to elevate their Washington D.C. agenda.
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Our
History

Werth began in May 1963 when Paul Werth, a veteran corporate marketing executive, hung a sign outside a former candy shop on Olentangy River Road in Columbus, Ohio.

Paul’s first client was the young Worthington Industries. One at a time, his growing list of clients would eventually include Anheuser-Busch, Homewood Corporation, Ohio National Bank, CompuServe, Brown Steel Company, IBM Borden, Inc., American Electric Power and a host of others.

Paul would go on to elevate the small, one-man shop to a firm known throughout the country for its integrity, professionalism and excellence. In 1986, Sandy Werth Harbrecht Ratchford succeeded her father as president and — even he acknowledged — quickly led the firm beyond where he had dreamed it could go. Under Sandy’s leadership, Werth received 10 Silver Anvils — the industry’s highest recognition for outstanding public relations programs. Today, Paul’s legacy survives through his granddaughter, Julie Granillo, who joined the firm in 2019 and succeeded her aunt as president and CEO in 2023. While family-owned and led, it is the scores of associates, former associates and partners who have helped build the Werth brand into something lasting.

Business viability is of course paramount, but community impact has been woven into the firm’s work from the outset. The firm has played crucial roles in supporting the moves of major corporations and thousands of new jobs to the Columbus region. Werth has tackled some of the most difficult problems faced by Ohio companies and its industries. And it has addressed stubborn health, education and workforce issues facing our communities through coalition building and strategic communications.

Competitors have come and gone, but Werth remains the only Columbus PR firm that was in business in 1963 and that still operates under the same ownership.
"On its 60th anniversary, this gift of a Red Sunset Maple planted on the Northeast Corner of the Statehouse grounds, represents Werth’s enduring commitment to Ohio and to Downtown Columbus. It also is a symbol of our our roots here and the inextricable connections between our future growth and that of the community."
SANDRA HARBRECHT RATCHFORD, APR
Chairman, Werth

Intersted in more of Werth's history?

Take a look at our 60th Anniversary book.

John H. McConnell, Founder of Worthington Industries, first Werth client
1974 Silver Anvil Award for Homewood’s Solar Home presented to James Fox, President of PRSA; Paul Werth, Werth President; and Clifton Amos, Werth Account Executive
Dispatch article announcing Discover Columbus Corporations 1986 booklet produced by Werth
1987 Silver Anvil Award presented by the Public Relations Society of America to representatives of the Columbus Chamber and Paul Werth Associates for Excellence in Marketing Communications
1987 Silver Anvil Award for Columbus Chamber
Paul and Margaret Werth with daughter Sandy Harbrecht Ratchford enjoying 1991 Associates Holiday Party
Sandy and Paul Werth at the 1991 Silver Anvil Ceremony
Paul Werth with staff at 1993 Associates Holiday Party
Sandy Harbrecht Ratchford with Werth associates at the PRSA Silver Anvil Ceremony
Paul Werth, Sandy Harbrecht Ratchford at the PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference in Tucson, Arizona
The Werth team celebrates build-out of office at 88 E. Broad Street in 1997
Paul and Margaret Werth enjoy Clippers game with Werth associates; pictured with Carl West
Paul Werth, Cindy Hilsheimer, Beth Hillis, Susie Swanson enjoy 35th Werth Anniversary Reception
Werth team celebrates 35th anniversary in 1998
Sandy opening gift at Werth’s annual Associates Holiday Party’s white elephant gift exchange
Opening ceremony for the Paul and Margaret Werth American Cancer Resource Building in Columbus in 2002
Sandy, Bill Riat and Don Casto celebrate start of construction of new office at High & Broad in 2007
Werth team at start of construction of the new office building at Broad & High
Sandy signs contract for new offices at Broad & High
Sandy unveils “Future Home of Werth” sign at the construction site of Broad & High
Business First features the purchase of Werth’s new office space at Broad & High
Werth takes over the digital sign at Broad & High to celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2008
The Werth banner is installed at Broad & High
The Werth team gathers on the corner of Broad & High for the opening of new office in 2008
The invitation designed by Werth’s creative team for the opening of its offices at High & Broad
Mayor Coleman joins Werth open house to celebrate the new office in 2008
The Werth team tours the Ohio Statehouse in 2017 and marks the visit by signing our names in the historic cupola
Werth organizes the wall breaking ceremony in 2015 for the FCCFA’s $140 million renovation and expansion of the Greater Columbus Convention Center
Werth organizes the Michael B. Coleman Sky Bridge dedication in 2015 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Hilton Columbus Downtown
Sandy Harbrecht Ratchford wins PRSA’s Tom Poling Practitioner of the Year Award
Werth, with now Mayor Ginther, rolls out the second Safe Sleep campaign “Real People…Real Stories”
Sandy Harbrecht Ratchford is named CEO of the Year by Columbus CEO in 2017
Werth organizes the groundbreaking in 2019 for the Hilton Downtown Columbus, Ohio’s only 1,000-room hotel
In 2021, Werth launches the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance’s second campaign, Beat the Stigma with Governor DeWine
Werth with Ohio. Find It Here., wins a PRSA Central Ohio PRism Award in 2022