When Did Carolina Public Relations Start? 

Here’s what nobody tells you about searching for the start date of “Carolina public relations”: you’re actually asking about at least four different stories, each with its own founding moment. And that confusion? It reveals something fascinating about how professional communications evolved in one of America’s most historically rich regions.

Let me walk you through what I discovered after tracing this through historical records, professional associations, and university archives.

The Question Nobody Asked: What Do You Actually Mean?

When you search “when did carolina public relations start,” the results scatter in different directions because the phrase points to multiple realities. Think of it like asking “when did New York finance start?”—are we talking about the first bank, Wall Street’s founding, or the rise of modern investment firms?

After analyzing this question from multiple angles, I’ve identified four distinct timelines that all legitimately answer your question:

The Four Carolina PR Origin Stories:

• Professional associations establishing formal standards (1959-1978)
• Academic programs training the next generation (1962)
• Student-run agencies bridging education and practice (2005)
• Individual agencies shaping the regional industry (various dates)

Rather than force-fit this into one answer, I’m going to show you how each timeline shaped what Carolina public relations looks like today. Because understanding where PR came from in the Carolinas tells you a lot about where it’s headed.

Timeline 1: The Association Era – When Professionals Organized

The Raleigh Foundation: 1959

The oldest formal PR organization in the Carolinas traces back to 1959, when the Raleigh Public Relations Society opened its doors. This wasn’t just a networking club—it represented a pivotal shift in how communications professionals saw themselves.

Why 1959 mattered: This was the tail end of press agentry’s golden age. PR was transitioning from “publicity stunts and press releases” to strategic counsel. The professionals who founded this society were essentially declaring: we’re a profession, not just a service.

The timing tracks with national trends. PRSA’s Code of Ethics had been established in 1950, setting ethical standards for the field. By 1959, practitioners in North Carolina’s capital wanted their own hub for professional development—a place where government communicators, corporate PR heads, and agency professionals could elevate their craft together.

Today, this organization continues as a “dynamic hub for senior communications professionals,” maintaining its focus on experienced leaders rather than entry-level practitioners. That original vision—elevating professional standards—survived 65+ years.

South Carolina’s Chapter: 1967

Eight years after Raleigh’s founding, South Carolina established its own PRSA chapter. The South Carolina Public Relations Society of America (SCPRSA) became what it describes as “a professional association serving South Carolina’s public relations practitioners and professional communicators for more than 50 years.”

By 1967, the professional landscape had shifted again. This was post-Mad Men era (the show got the decade right). Corporations were building internal communications departments. Hospitals needed community relations. Universities required media relations specialists.

The expansion pattern tells a story: In 1981, SCPRSA co-sponsored an awards competition with North Carolina’s chapter, showing regional collaboration. By 1982, they established regional board representation across the state. The 1980s saw membership grow to 80+, with 25% holding APR (Accredited in Public Relations) credentials—a significant professionalization marker.

This wasn’t accidental growth. It reflected South Carolina’s economic transformation from primarily agricultural to manufacturing and service sectors, each requiring sophisticated communications strategies.

Charlotte’s Network: 1978

The PRSA Charlotte Chapter launched in 1978, positioning itself at the intersection of two Carolinas’ largest metro area. With approximately 300 members today, it’s “one of the region’s largest and most active chapters.”

Charlotte in 1978 represented a unique PR challenge: The city was transitioning from a regional textile and banking center to a national financial powerhouse. Bank of America (then NationsBank) was growing aggressively. Companies needed professionals who could manage corporate reputation at scale.

The Charlotte chapter’s founding reflected this sophistication. It wasn’t enough to have state-level professional groups—Charlotte’s unique position as a financial center required its own concentrated network of PR talent.

The Modern Addition: Western North Carolina (2019)

Fast forward to 2019, and a fourth North Carolina chapter emerged. The PRSA Western North Carolina Chapter, officially chartered on August 22, 2019, serves 22 counties from its Asheville base.

This tells you something important about where PR was growing: not just traditional metros, but regions with strong tourism (Asheville’s craft beer and arts scene), education (Appalachian State, Western Carolina University), and corporate presence (Biltmore Estate).

The association timeline reveals a pattern: PR professional organization followed economic development. Raleigh (government), Columbia (state capital + education), Charlotte (finance), and Asheville (tourism/lifestyle) each needed critical mass before supporting dedicated professional chapters.

Timeline 2: The Academic Pipeline – Training the Profession

University of South Carolina: 1962

While professionals were organizing, universities were asking a different question: can you teach public relations?

The University of South Carolina answered emphatically yes in 1962, when its School of Journalism began offering an advertising/public relations major. This was earlier than many realize—1962 placed UofSC among the pioneers in formalized PR education.

Context matters here: In 1962, PR education was still controversial. Practitioners argued you learned by doing. Critics dismissed it as teaching manipulation. But universities like USC saw emerging demand from students who recognized PR as a legitimate career path.

The program evolved alongside the profession. Joseph A. Nolan, who had worked in corporate public relations at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, joined the faculty to teach PR. This pattern—professionals transitioning to academia—helped ground education in real-world practice.

By 1971, the school expanded to become the College of Journalism. The advertising/public relations major grew more sophisticated, adding research methods, media law, and strategic planning to complement traditional writing and media relations courses.

The Carolina Agency entered the picture in 2005. Founded as a full-service, student-run agency at UofSC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, TCA became one of 37 student-run agencies nationally affiliated with PRSSA. This represented a crucial bridge: not just teaching PR theory, but letting students practice it with real clients and real stakes.

Students working with TCA weren’t writing hypothetical press releases—they were solving actual communication challenges for businesses, nonprofits, and startups across the Southeast. That hands-on model became a pipeline for Carolina PR talent.

Spreading Across Carolinas Universities

USC wasn’t alone for long. UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and other regional universities developed their own PR programs and PRSSA chapters. Each adapted to local industry needs—coastal schools focused on tourism and hospitality PR, while Research Triangle programs emphasized tech and healthcare communications.

The academic timeline reveals this truth: You can trace Carolina PR’s professionalization through universities adding programs. Each new program signaled employers were hiring PR grads, which meant the profession had legitimized itself enough to warrant dedicated university resources.

Timeline 3: The Agency Landscape – Who Shapes the Industry Today

Individual agencies tell yet another version of this story. While I couldn’t find a single company definitively named “Carolina Public Relations” with a clear founding date, dozens of agencies across both states have shaped the regional PR landscape.

Notable Founding Dates:

French/West/Vaughan (Raleigh) – 1997: One of the region’s most recognized agencies, FWV represents the rise of integrated marketing communications agencies that blend traditional PR with advertising and digital strategy.

McKeeman Communications – Operating for 30+ years: This independent agency has worked with food and beverage companies experiencing growth or change—a niche that reflects Carolina’s strong food production and restaurant industry sectors.

Adapt Public Relations (Asheville) – 2013: Established by two Western North Carolina natives with a mission to help local small businesses grow, Adapt represents a newer generation of boutique agencies focused on regional impact.

The Hughes Agency (Greenville, SC) – 2001: Building a reputation for strategic storytelling, this full-service agency illustrates South Carolina’s Upstate growth corridor.

South City PR (Charleston) – 2013: Specializing in food, hospitality, cookbook, lifestyle, and boutique hotel industries, this agency capitalized on Charleston’s emergence as a culinary destination.

Communicopia (Wake Forest) – 25+ years in business: Serving small and large clients with cost-effective, targeted marketing communications.

Blueplate PR (Raleigh) – 2005: A boutique agency that transferred architectural writing focus into broader PR strategies.

Eckel & Vaughan – 2008: Strategic communications agency specializing in crisis communications, media relations, and branding.

What the Agency Timeline Tells Us

These founding dates cluster around key periods:

• Late 1990s-Early 2000s: Established agencies as integrated marketing communications firms
• 2005-2008: Boutique agencies specializing in niche industries
• 2013 forward: Local-focused agencies emphasizing regional identity and craft industries

The pattern isn’t random. As Carolina metros grew and diversified economically, they could support more specialized PR firms. Charleston didn’t need a food-focused PR agency until its restaurant scene matured. Asheville didn’t support multiple boutique agencies until craft beer and tourism created demand.

Timeline 4: The Broader Industry Context – National Trends Meeting Regional Reality

To fully understand Carolina PR’s origins, zoom out to the national level.

The PRSA Foundation: 1947

The Public Relations Society of America was organized in 1947—the post-WWII moment when corporate America realized it needed sophisticated public communication strategies. This national organization set standards that would eventually reach every region, including the Carolinas.

By 1950, PRSA developed its Code of Ethics—a defining moment that declared PR was accountable to professional standards, not just client wishes. This ethical foundation influenced every regional chapter and university program that followed.

The Professionalization Wave

What happened nationally created conditions for Carolina PR’s growth:

• 1960s: Universities added communications programs as PR became a credentialed profession
• 1970s: Regional chapters proliferated as mid-sized cities built PR professional communities
• 1980s-1990s: Integrated marketing communications emerged, blending PR with advertising and marketing
• 2000s-present: Digital transformation reshaped every aspect of the field

Carolina PR didn’t develop in isolation—it adapted these national trends to regional contexts. Government communications in Raleigh looked different from hospitality PR in Charleston or financial services communications in Charlotte.

The Framework: Understanding Carolina PR Through Four Lenses

After tracking these timelines, I’ve developed what I call the Regional PR Evolution Matrix—a way to understand how professional communications develops in any region:

Why this framework matters: It shows that “when did PR start” is never one date. Professional fields emerge through overlapping institutions—associations that set standards, universities that train talent, and agencies that serve clients. Understanding all four timelines gives you the complete picture.

Why These Dates Matter Today

Knowing when Carolina public relations started helps you understand three current realities:

1. The Experience Concentration

Because formal PR associations emerged in the late 1950s-1970s in the Carolinas, the region has now accumulated 50-65 years of institutional knowledge. That matters when hiring or choosing agencies—Carolina PR pros often have deep regional networks and understand local media landscapes intimately.

2. The Academic-Professional Pipeline

With University of South Carolina offering PR education since 1962, you’re looking at 60+ years of trained graduates entering the workforce. This long-running pipeline means many Carolina agencies and corporate communications departments have established recruiting relationships with regional universities.

3. The Specialization Boom

The cluster of specialized agencies founding between 2005-2015 reflects Carolina’s economic maturation. You’re not limited to generalist agencies anymore—whether you need food and beverage PR in Charleston, financial communications in Charlotte, or tech PR in the Research Triangle, specialized firms exist because the regional economy supports them.

How to Actually Use This Information

If you’re researching Carolina PR for business purposes:

• Don’t search for “the” Carolina Public Relations—it’s not one company
• Look for agencies by specialization and location (Charlotte agencies differ from Charleston agencies)
• Check PRSA chapter directories for professional networks in your specific metro

If you’re a student or career changer:

• Focus on universities with established PR programs (60+ years at UofSC matters)
• Seek schools with student-run agencies like The Carolina Agency for hands-on experience
• Join PRSSA chapters to network before graduation

If you’re hiring PR services:

• Longer-established agencies (1990s-2000s founding) typically have broader networks
• Newer agencies (2010s+) often offer more specialized or innovative approaches
• Location matters more than you think—Raleigh agencies understand government communications differently than Charlotte agencies understand financial services

The Hidden Pattern: Economic Development Drives PR Growth

Here’s what all these timelines reveal when you step back: Carolina public relations expanded in direct correlation with economic diversification.

• 1959: Raleigh’s government communications created demand
• 1962: Universities recognized PR as a growth profession
• 1967: South Carolina’s manufacturing expansion needed corporate communications
• 1978: Charlotte’s rise as a banking center required financial communications expertise
• 2005-2013: Coastal tourism, craft industries, and tech growth spawned specialized agencies
• 2019: Western NC’s lifestyle economy supported its own professional chapter

This isn’t coincidence. PR serves economic actors—corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, entrepreneurs. As Carolina economies grew more complex, PR grew more sophisticated to match.

The trajectory suggests future growth areas: As Research Triangle continues expanding in biotech and AI, expect more tech-focused PR agencies. As South Carolina’s automotive corridor (BMW, Volvo, Mercedes) matures, corporate communications roles will multiply. And as both states’ metros attract more remote workers, expect agencies serving distributed companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a company specifically called “Carolina Public Relations”?

Through extensive research of business registries, professional directories, and online searches, I found references to “Carolina Public Relations Marketing” in Raleigh, NC business listings, but no definitive company website or founding information. The term more commonly refers to the broader PR industry across North and South Carolina rather than a specific company.

Which came first: the professional associations or the university programs?

Interesting—it’s close. The Raleigh Public Relations Society organized in 1959, while University of South Carolina launched its PR major in 1962. This 3-year gap suggests they evolved almost simultaneously, which makes sense: professionals organizing drove demand for formal education, while university programs legitimized the profession.

How does Carolina PR differ from PR in other regions?

Several distinctions: stronger government communications tradition (three state capitals), unique mix of manufacturing and service industries requiring different communications approaches, and growing influence of lifestyle sectors (food, craft beer, tourism) that shape agency specializations. The dual-state dynamic also creates interesting collaboration and competition between NC and SC professionals.

What’s the relationship between The Carolina Agency and professional PR firms?

The Carolina Agency (founded 2005) serves as a training ground and talent pipeline. Students work on real client projects, build portfolios, and often transition directly into regional agencies. Many Carolina PR professionals cite student agency experience as crucial to their career development—it bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.

How has Carolina PR changed in the past decade?

Three major shifts: (1) Digital transformation accelerated, with agencies adding social media, content marketing, and analytics capabilities; (2) Specialization increased, with more niche agencies focusing on specific industries rather than serving all sectors; (3) Geographic flexibility expanded, with remote work enabling Carolina PR pros to serve national clients while maintaining regional roots.

Which Carolina city has the strongest PR industry?

Depends on how you measure. Charlotte has the largest chapter (300+ members) and most agencies serving Fortune 500 companies. Raleigh has the oldest professional society and benefits from Research Triangle’s concentration of tech and healthcare companies. Charleston’s hospitality-focused agencies are nationally recognized. Rather than “strongest,” think of each metro as having different strengths aligned with local industries.

The Bottom Line: Multiple Beginnings, One Evolution

If someone demands a single date for when Carolina public relations started, the most defensible answer is 1959—when the Raleigh Public Relations Society established the region’s first formal professional organization. That moment marked Carolina PR practitioners saying “we’re a profession with standards, not just publicists.”

But that single-date answer misses the richer story. Carolina PR emerged through multiple institutions across decades:

• Professional associations (1959, 1967, 1978, 2019)
• Academic programs (1962 onward)
• Student agencies (2005)
• Commercial agencies (1990s-2020s)

Each timeline reveals different aspects of how a regional professional communications industry develops. Understanding all four gives you the complete picture—and explains why Carolina PR looks the way it does today.

The pattern is clear: As the Carolinas’ economies grew more sophisticated, PR grew alongside them. Government communications drove early professionalization. University programs created talent pipelines. Regional economic booms supported specialized agencies. And throughout, professional associations maintained standards and networks.

That evolution continues today. New specializations emerge. Technology reshapes tactics. But the foundational institutions established between 1959-2005 created a framework that still shapes Carolina public relations.

So when did it start? Pick your timeline. But more importantly, understand how those timelines interconnect—because that’s the real story of how professional communications took root in the Carolinas and continues evolving today.

Sources:

• scprsa.org – South Carolina Public Relations Society of America
• rprs.org – Raleigh Public Relations Society
• linkedin.com/company/the-carolina-agency – The Carolina Agency LinkedIn
• linkedin.com/company/prsa-charlotte – PRSA Charlotte LinkedIn
• prsa.org – Public Relations Society of America national website
• sc.edu – University of South Carolina School of Journalism history
• designrush.com – Agency directories and founding dates
• expertise.com – North Carolina PR firm listings
• newswirejet.com – PR firm research and founding dates