[Editor’s Note: This series about PR’s history is part of PRNEWS’ 75th anniversary celebration.]
Mention Edward Bernays, Ivy Ledbetter Lee or Dan Edelman to communicators with an appreciation for PR’s history and you’ll see their eyes light up with recognition. But, chances are, if you mention Donald Padilla, Julie Mendez or Diana Munatones you’ll receive bewildered looks.
Sadly, while PR’s history is filled with Latino practitioners, the contributions of these communications pioneers, while significant, are too often left out of higher education curriculum.
Padilla, Mendez and Munatones are just a few of the many Latinos who have made a lasting impact on PR. These unsung heroes dedicated their careers to PR and deserve to take their place among its most recognized leaders.
Remembering Their Stories
A native of Iowa, Padilla began his career as a printer’s apprentice during high school. After WWII his career turned to television news, when he began working at what would become Channel 11 in Minnesota. For a time, the station put him on-air, but he felt more comfortable working behind the camera and in newsrooms.
A University of Iowagraduate, Padilla’s news career included positions at The Cedar Rapids Gazette and The Des Moines Registerand The Des Moines Tribune. As a PR pro he was promotion director for the Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission and co-founder and president of Padilla and Speer, Inc. (1971-1983).
Padilla received a bevy of accolades, including a medal from King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden. He was twice honored with PRSA’s meritorious service citation. He passed in 1992.
Mendez grew up in New York, and graduated magna cum laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She started her career in Edelman’s multicultural practice. Later she became a board member of the New York chapter of the Hispanic Public Relations Association.
Known as a brilliant PR pro who spoke with authenticity and warmth, she moved from Edelman to Tractenberg & Co. There she was an AVP and lead in the multicultural division until her untimely passing in 2016, at 33.
Munatones started her career in 1973 at a CBS-owned-and-operated station in California as host of “Bienvenidos” and co-host of “It Takes All Kinds.”
She became an associate producer for the Emmy nominated “Noticiero Estudiantil.” Eventually she was the highest-ranking Latina in broadcast management as director of community broadcast relations for KNXT in Fresno and director of special projects for CBS, Inc.
Munatones served on President Carter’s foreign policy advisory commission. She was communications director for the LA Unified School District. She passed in 2012 at 66.
Acknowledging the influence of Latino pioneers past and present is long overdue. By sharing their stories, we trust future generations will recognize their names and gain a greater understanding of how they shaped PR.
[NOTE: Padilla, Mendez and Munatones are just a few of Hispanic PR pros who’ll be mentioned during a Museum of Public Relations and Hispanic Public Relations Association 3rd annual salute to Latino PR history, Sept. 12, 6:30pm, 85 Broad St, Penthouse, NYC, (corner of Broad, S. William St).]
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