Biography
Gregg Feistman has more than 40 years of business and PR experience. As Professor of Practice in Public Relations, he specializes in public relations, CSR/corporate social responsibility and activism, reputation management, strategic communications planning, corporate sponsorship, crisis communications, media relations, consulting skills and organizational communication. His research interests include the use of emerging technology in public relations education, and corporate social advocacy and activism. He is the co-author, along with Dr. Heather LaMarre, of the book Raising Social Capital. He has conducted workshops on AI in PR, and been widely quoted in numerous consumer, business, and PR trade media. He has presented at a number of conferences, including the Public Relations Society of America’s international conference, The Institute for PR, and Association of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication conferences.
On the undergraduate level, he teaches Crisis Communication, Intro to PR, Law and Ethics of Public Relations, and Industry Essentials for Public Relations (a business acumen course). On the graduate level, he teaches Corporate Social Responsibility, Consulting Skills and has taught Contemporary Issues in Communications, Reputation/Image/Identity, and has conducted a PR writing boot camp. Feistman has also served as a graduate student capstone advisor, and is the faculty advisor for both Temple’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)—one of the oldest and top 10 chapters in the country—and Temple’s nationally affiliated student-run PR firm, PRowl Public Relations. He’s also a past member of the Faulty Senate. He is an active member of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association, and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, where he served as a past member of the Board of Directors.
Feistman is a multiple recipient of the Philadelphia PRSA Pepperpot and Drumbeater awards. He received Temple’s Outstanding Faculty Service Award in 2014, the Klein College of Media and Communications’ Faculty Award for Service in 2019 and 2012, and an Outstanding Service Award from the Department of Strategic Communication in 2011. In 2010, he received PRSA’s prestigious Anthony J. Fulginiti Award for Commitment to PR Education.
Education
Degree | Field | School |
|---|---|---|
MA | Communications | Marist College |
BA | Communications | Rowan University |
Courses Taught
Number | Name | Level |
|---|---|---|
PR 1552 | Introduction to Public Relations | Undergraduate |
PR 3096 | Public Relations Writing | Undergraduate |
PR 3301 | Industry Essentials for Public Relations | Undergraduate |
PR 3302 | Crisis Communication | Undergraduate |
PR 4501 | Public Relations Capstone | Undergraduate |
CMGT 5201 | Consulting and Consultation in Public Relations | Graduate |
CMGT 8105 | Social Responsibility in Corporations and Not-for-Profit Organizations | Graduate |
Additional Projects
Title | Description | Dates Active |
|---|---|---|
Novel | The War Merchants | 2009 |
Story | Starstruck, part of the Anthology: Reading Glasses: Stories Through An Unpredictable Lens | 2014 |
| Research Study | Teaching Emerging Technologies in Higher Ed Public Relations: A Look at Perceived Awareness, Attitudes, Abilities, Access and Application. | 2023 |
Awards
Title | Type of Award | Date |
|---|---|---|
Inductee, Philadelphia Public Relations Association Hall of Fame | Professional | 2019 |
Excellence in Faculty Service Award, Klein College of Media and Communication | Service | 2019 |
Outstanding Faculty Service Award (representing the School of Media and Communication) | Service | 2014 |
Faculty Award for Service | Service | 2012 |
Outstanding Service, Strategic Communication Department | Teaching | 2011 |
Outstanding Service | Service | 2011 |
Tony Fulginiti Award for Committment to Education | Service | 2010 |
Miscellaneous Appearances and Articles
Feistman, G. & LaMarre, H. (June, 2025). Risky business: Executive advocacy in a polarized environment. PRSA Corporate Communications Impact ’25 Summit: Driving Success with Corporate Communications. New York, NY.
Feistman, G. (April, 2025). Risky business: Executive advocacy in a polarized environment. Institute for Public Relations “Bridge” Conference. Washington, D.C.
Feistman, G. (Feb., 2025). Embracing Luddite wisdom, an AI workshop. Interactive AI Fair. Temple University. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G. & LaMarre, H. (Nov., 2024). Pulse on ESG. PRSA Corporate Communications Impact ’24 Summit: Sharpening Skills for Communications Leadership. New York, NY.
“Is Tech Making Public Relations Better or Worse?” medium.com/@PRontheGo, January 8, 2021
“CSR Examples: These 7 Organizations Prove That CSR Is Alive (and Evolving)” Submittable.com, June 6, 2020
Feistman, G. (December, 2021) The Evolving Philadelphia Media Landscape and How it Impacts PR Practitioners: A Deep Dive with The Lenfest Institute For Journalism. Coordinator. Philadelphia PRSA chapter. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G. (April, 2021) Power Hour With the Pros: Behind the Scenes at the Philadelphia Flyers with Sarah Schwab, KLN ’10. Moderator/Coordinator. Klein College of Media and Communication. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G. (March, 2021) The First Amendment and Its Role in Journalism, A Conversation with David McCraw, Deputy Chief Legal Counsel, NY Times. Moderator. Philadelphia Public Relations Society of America. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G. (September, 2020) Back-to-School in the Time of COVID-19. Moderator. Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G., Brown D. (August 2020) How To Network While Social Distancing. L.A. Chapter of Temple Alumni Association (Virtual).
Feistman, G. (September, 2020) Back-to-School in the Time of COVID-19. Moderator. Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Philadelphia, PA.
Feistman, G., Brown D. (August 2020) How To Network While Social Distancing. L.A. Chapter of Temple Alumni Association (Virtual).
“How to Successfully Engage in Corporate Social Activism” The Public Relations Review Podcast, January 30, 2023
“What Dr. Anthony Fauci Teaches Us About Leadership in a Crisis” Forbes.com, December 5, 2022
“6 PR Trends That Are Ready To Be A Big Deal in 2022” Prowly.com/magazine, December 7, 2021
“Sports Public Relations: How To Do Sports PR” Prowly.com/magazine, July 2, 2021
“Lives in Public Relations” Storytellers podcast, April 19, 2021
“PR Planning: How To Create a PR Strategy” Prowly.com/magazine, April 9, 2021
“Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends; Public Relations Specialist” Zippia.com, February 26, 2021
“Takeover of U.S. Capitol Provides Crisis Management Lessons for Business Leaders” Forbes.com, January 8, 2021
“Let’s Talk About Corporate Social Responsibility” Yesoptimist.com, April, 2020
“How To Tell The Story When Legacy Is Complicated” Flashpoint, KYW Newsradio, Feb. 15, 2020
“Reputation Management” Public Relations Review podcast, December 16, 2019
“Has the #MeToo Movement Gone Too Far?” Flashpoint, KYW Newsradio, December 8, 2018
“Press Relations and Media Professor” BiggerFaith.org, Sept. 25, 2018
“Starbucks’ Racial Incident Response” Flashpoint, KYW Newsradio, April 18, 2018
Feistman, G. (April, 2018). The Perfect Pitch. South Jersey Writers’ Group, Barrington, NJ.
“Dealing with the Aftermath of Sexual Misconduct” Flashpoint, KYW Newsradio, December 3, 2017
“Amazon HQ2 Would Compromise Inclusivity” Temple News, October 31, 2017
Feistman, G. (March, 2016). What Professional Writers Need to Know About Copyrights. South Jersey Writers’ Group, Barrington, NJ
Feistman, G. (January, 2015). Warning: Communications Turbulence Ahead. Content May Shift. Native Advertising. Brand Journalism. Custom Media. Branded Content. Moderator. Philadelphia Public Relations Association, Philadelphia, PA
“Texas Health Resources Ebola Crisis,” Dallas Star-Telegram, Oct. 17, 2014.
“Traditional PR tools retain importance in the digital era” PR News, 18(10) Oct. 20, 2014. 6.
“Can Christie get his mojo back?” Asbury Park Press, Jan. 31, 2014.
“Governor Christie’s State of the State speech,” Associated Press, Jan. 14, 2014.
“Governor Christie’s State of the State speech,” 6ABC News, Philadelphia, Jan. 14, 2014.
“PR/crisis management handling of NJ Gov. Chris Christie Bridgegate scandal,” KYW Newsradio, Jan. 10, 2014.
Feistman, G. (December, 2013). An Open and Shut Case: How PR Professionals Handled the Government Shutdown. Moderator. Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Philadelphia, PA
“Government shutdown, more work,” The Temple News, Oct. 15, 2013.
“Shutdown 101: The teachable moment,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 8, 2013.
“Trends in PR Education,” Philadelphia Public Relations Society of America Chapter Newsletter, August 2012.
Panelist, “Reflections on Mentoring,” Inclusive Leadership Conference, Temple University, Feb. 11, 2012.
“Why I ‘Heart’ PR: Five PR Pros Weigh In,” Philadelphia Public Relations Society of America Chapter blog, February 2011.
75 Ways to Fire Up (or Just Fire) The Muse: How to Write Even When You Don’t Wanna, or Think You Can’t, e-book, April 2010.
“Annual Reports as Really Useful Public Relations…?” Public Relations and Managing Reputation: Better Business and Society blog, April 2010.
“Having It All: Great minors and skills to add to your PR Major,” Forum (publication of the Public Relations Student Society of America), February 2010.
“What Online College Students Should Know About Virtual Learning Environments,” BrainTrack.com, Jan. 26, 2010.
“Simple Steps to a Successful Student-run Firm,” Forum (publication of the Public Relations Student Society of America), Fall 2009.
“How to Handle a Crisis,” Fox 29 TV at 5:30, Feb. 10, 2009.
“Councilman Goode & Aide Continue to Bungle Media Crisis,” Philadelphia Daily News, Sept. 30, 2008.
“Taking Heat: Mayor Nutter Says Some Gun Shops Are Part of the Crime Problem. One Owner Deflects the Comments,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 22, 2008.
“Student PR Firm Off to Promising Start,” CampusPhilly.org, March 7, 2008.
“Trick or Treat? Make Sure Your Company’s Image is Polished Enough to Reflect the Reality of What it Does,” U.S. Business Review Magazine, October 2007.
“The Role of Public Relations in Business,” Executive Thought Leaders Radio, WWDB-AM (Philadelphia), November 2006.
“Selling Sponsorships: How to Craft a Perfect Pitch,” BizBash Newsletter, October 2006.
“Partnerships That Make The Grade,” PRWeek, April 24, 2006.
“Corporate Sponsorships,” PR Tactics, April 2006.
“Corporate Sponsorships,” Fuel Newsletter, February 2006.
“How Small Businesses Can Benefit from Publicity,” Wells Fargo Advisors Online, February 2006.
Service
Name | Type of Service | Position | Dates Active |
|---|
Name | Type of Service | Position | Dates Active |
|---|---|---|---|
PRowl Public Relations | Departmental | Faculty Advisor | 2007–present |
PRSSA | Departmental | Faculty Advisor | 2002–present |
Faculty Senate | College | Member | 2013–2022 |
Lew Klein Alumni in the Media selection committee | College | Member | 2012, 2015 |
Myles Martel Lecture Series | College | Facilitator/Coordinator | 2015 |
Philabundance Advising Committee | Community | Lead Contact | 2015 |
SMC Merit Committee | College | Member | 2015 |
2013 International PRSA Conference | College | SMC/Strat Comm Sponsorship Manager | 2013 |
University Marketing & Branding Steering Committee | University | Member | 2013 |
SCT Branding Committee | College | Member | 2011 |
TUTV Faculty Advisory Committee | College | Member | 2010 |