Black Entrepreneurship and the Ability to Embrace Change: The Murphy Group Says, ‘Acclimating Is King’

Brian J. Murphy is the founder and CEO of The Murphy Group, a Southern California public relations firm serving business and entertainment clients.

He recently sat down with rolling out to discuss his industry, the importance of embracing change, and the need for balance in the pursuit of “wealth.”

You’ve had success working in the entertainment industry, why did you start your own business?

I had been working in the industry for quite a while, building up a decent amount of contacts. Then I started writing professionally, things like marketing and advertising material, press releases, website content etc. I figured I would combine what I was doing and put it all under one umbrella. Easier to define and a little more money [laughs].

 Is there a “dream client” you’d like to add to your roster?

My client base is all over the place, which is the way I like it. I have varied interests, so it would make sense that my client list would reflect that. As far as a “dream client,” I am really into wine, so working with a wine company would be really cool. Nice boutique vineyard would be great. Also, a nonprofit and a company that really puts giving back as a priority, and I just don’t mean 3 percent of their profits going to some charity, but rather a company whose whole culture is shaped around giving back.

Do you do anything that other PR firms do not do?

I really hold my clients’ hands and try to make myself available at any time. I educate them on what PR is, because the truth of the matter is, most people don’t know. When I first started this business, I told myself I was not going to babysit or play psychologist to people that did not get it. Boy was I wrong. If your client needs you, then they need you, and it’s your obligation to go above and beyond the call of duty.

What’s the most gratifying element of what you do?

PR has and still seems to be a big mystery, even to the most seasoned businessperson. What started out to be my least favorite thing, turned out to be the best. Educating and providing knowledge and information to clients who were formerly clueless about PR is always a good thing.

Where is your company headed?

My goal is to build a more cohesive and family-like unit in terms of my roster of clients and the people on my team. I know that may sound a little corny, “like we are all one big happy family,” but the truth of the matter is, I prefer to operate in harmony, so if I can obtain that for myself and the people I work with, I will be wealthy, regardless if my bank account reflects it or not.

How have the dynamics of public relations changed over the past few years?

Two words, social media. It has really changed the game and the way people operate. Social media changed the way PR firms compose proposals, how they charge, how the client hires and how the entire industry is viewed. If you are in this business and are not down for change, you are not really in this business at all. Acclimating is king!

If you could only represent one company for the rest of your life which would it be?

That’s an easy one for me. Virgin. I just love their company culture and how they go about business. Richard Branson is the apple of every billionaire’s eye… if there is such a thing.

What advice do you have for success-minded individuals?

I know we are all in the game to try to come up, paper chase, get a piece of the pie or however you want to define success and what the means to you, but please, let us not lose sight of the important things. Imagine a fate worse than “making it” but not being fulfilled. Be fulfilled now and then let “making it” be the icing on the cake.

The Murphy Group’s Web home is www.murphygrouppr.com.