Barbara Metz
Principal
Barbara Metz, founder and principal of Metz Public Relations, is a respected public relations strategist and counselor who specializes in media relations and publicity for small- to mid-size companies and nonprofits. She has built a solid reputation during her 28-year career. Colleagues, clients and media contacts hail her competence, enthusiasm and whatever-it-takes commitment.
Before establishing her PR practice in 1987, she managed the public relations operations at two of the major San Diego advertising and public relations firms. At Phillips-Ramsey, Inc., a $50 million, full-service agency, she served as director of public relations. There, she supervised or managed public relations for such clients as WD-40; The Koll Company; law firm Jennings, Engstrand & Henriksen; Express Tel, a long distance reseller; Carmel Mountain Ranch; and Rams Hills, an exclusive desert resort in Borrego Springs. She was also the vice president of media relations at Roni Hicks, responsible for providing supervision and counsel to all PR clients.
Earlier, she was the manager of corporate communications for Mission Viejo Company, a subsidiary of Philip Morris Incorporated, and worked closely with national media entities such as Seventeen Magazine, ABC Sports, Life Magazine, Agence France Press and Japanese television in conjunction with publicizing the community’s Olympians Greg Louganis, Jennifer Chandler, Brian Goodell and others. She also handled publicity for Mission Viejo’s Sweepstake entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade, which resulted in worldwide coverage.
Barbara has won many public relations and/or writing awards, starting with a California State writing award when she was 14. She has also earned awards from the Building Industry Association (five SAM Awards), The Orange County Press Club, and the Public Relations Society of America chapters in San Diego and Orange County.
She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from California State University, Fullerton, and has completed the marketing curriculum sponsored by the New York Advertising Club in New York City. She has been listed in Who's Who of American Women.
“I’ve worked at large agencies and
corporations and found my niche in public relations counseling. It enables me to
more closely connect with my clients and
be a part of their internal team. Plus, I can
narrow my clients to those I love.”
Barbara plays an active role in the community. In addition to being 2007-2008 President of the 375-member San Diego Press Club, she has chaired the organization’s prestigious Headliners Awards and Journalism Awards.
She is former president of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Diplomacy Council (SDDC), a nonprofit organization that welcomes more than 500 foreign dignitaries who come to San Diego each year as guests of the State Department and other federal agencies. SDDC organizes study opportunities, schedules professional meetings, and arranges “home hospitality” with local citizens. Personally, she has entertained more than 100 foreign dignitaries in her home.
Barbara is a former board member of the Fern Street Circus. (And, keeps a clown nose handy.)
Her personal passions involve international cooking, gardening and trying to conquer every hike in Afoot and Afield in San Diego County. She teaches qigong, (Chinese energy healing) at the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego. She is well on her way to completing her list of A Thousand Places to See before You Die. So far, Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Canyon de Chelly, the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian, and the Napali Coast have been the most memorable sites checked off.