Nina G. Zucker, longtime communications expert and public relations Hall of Famer, has died at 69
She established Nina Zucker Associates in 1987 and managed public relations and marketing campaigns for musicians, actors, artists, authors, businesses, non-profits, governments, and others.
Nina G. Zucker, 69, of Philadelphia, longtime innovative communications and marketing expert, founder and president of Nina Zucker Associates, member of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association Hall of Fame, volunteer, and mentor, died suddenly Monday, June 1, at her home in Center City. The cause of her death has not been determined.
Called “an incredible bundle of positive energy,” “a trailblazer,” and a “dynamo in the workplace” by colleagues in online tributes, and “compassionate beyond measure” by her brother, Marc, Ms. Zucker served as an engaging public face and behind-the-scenes manager for hundreds of clients. She established Nina Zucker Associates in 1987 and oversaw public relations and marketing campaigns for musicians, actors, artists, authors, journalists, athletes, educators, businesses, nonprofits, governments, and others.
She consulted for two presidential campaigns, assisted the Senate Press Gallery at the 2000 Republican National Convention, and coordinated the 15th anniversary celebration for the Public Interest Law Center. Over five decades, she organized and promoted all kinds of festivals, benefits, seminars, and exhibitions, including Elton John’s Fourth of July music extravaganza on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 2005.
The Inquirer called her the city’s “public relations queen” in 2008, and the Daily News said she was a “PR maven” in 2011. In 2008, she told the Main Line Times and Suburban: “It’s not just about publicity. It’s also about having fun, having an impact, and bending or breaking the rules when a creative jolt is needed.”
Among the many memorable jolts she concocted was having then-Mayor Wilson Goode ride an elephant to promote a circus and Pennsylvania Ballet dancers perform at the Shops at Liberty Place to solicit new members. She also staged a 12-hour outdoor music marathon to herald the opening of Bryn Mawr Stereo’s flagship store in King of Prussia.
“Straight publicity is not enough. Straight marketing is not enough,” she told The Inquirer in 1997. “It’s about creative marketing. It’s about broadening outreach to make a sale.”
She even represented a canine TV and magazine model, her own toy poodle Lola. “Lola may just turn out to be not only my most important client, but also my most successful,” she told The Main Line Times and Suburban.
Ms. Zucker served two consecutive terms as president of the board of governors for the Philadelphia Public Relations Association and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2008. In 1995, she told The Inquirer that corporate businesses once considered public relations “a necessary evil. Now corporate business looks at it not only as a valuable tool but a critical tool.”
At 5 feet tall, she was called a “pint-size publicity pro” by former Daily News columnist Dan Gross. She liked to wear stylish hats, and Inquirer columnist Michael Klein said in 2008: “Zucker has had her own firm for exactly 20 years but still looks 30.”
Before founding her firm, she worked for WHYY Inc., the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Please Touch Museum. She was on boards at Avenue of the Arts Inc., the Institute for Arts in Education, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and other groups.
She provided free consulting to many organizations and sought jobs as a voice-over actor. On Facebook, colleagues called her “a bright light chasing love and warmth” and “an extraordinary friend and collaborator.”
One friend said: “Nina believed in people, lifted others up, and made such a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know her.” Former Gov. Ed Rendell said: “When Nina believed in something, she threw herself into it completely.”
Nina Gail Zucker was born Oct. 21, 1956. She grew up in Wynnewood, enjoyed dance, art, and writing as a girl, and graduated from Lower Merion High School.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and advertising at Moore College of Art and Design and went into public relations and marketing when she found she had a flair for connecting with people, creating promotions, and organizing events.
Ms. Zucker was a huge Phillies fan, and she celebrated two of her birthdays at World Series games. She and her father, Marvin, watched Eagles games on TV together over the phone, and she told The Inquirer in 2003: “Literally, we’d be on the phone the whole time or calling after every single play.”
She lived in Bala Cynwyd for years, doted on her family, and was active with cancer awareness initiatives and charitable and nonprofit fundraisers. She liked to read, garden, bake, and create gifts for family and friends.
“Nina was a vivacious, tenacious, and creative force of nature,” her brother said. “She was always there for those in need, helping to lift others up.”
In addition to her mother, Merle, and brother, Ms. Zucker is survived by other relatives.
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Services are to be held at 11:15 a.m. Friday, June 5, at Beth Am Israel, 1301 Hagys Ford Rd., Penn Valley, Pa. 19072.
Donations in her name may be made to Avenue of the Arts Inc., 123 S. Broad St., Suite 2035, Philadelphia, Pa. 19109; Ballet X, 1923 Washington Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19146; and Help Hope Live, 2 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 100, 100 Matsonford Rd., Radnor, Pa. 19087.
