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WE REMEMBER PAT TOBIN: Public relations icon loses her battle with cancer at 65.
The Hollywood PR World Remembers ...
*No one ever meets Pat Tobin and forgets about it. The PR world has suffered a great loss; the human race has suffered an even greater loss.
To say that she was a dynamo is still an understatement for the woman who revolutionized public relations in Hollywood, especially dare we say, in Black Hollywood.
Over a span of two decades, Pat Tobin helped put stars on the map like Spike Lee, Hal Williams, Roger Mosley, Judge Mablean Ephriam and more recently Tyler Perry.
Ms. Tobin also managed political and corporate clients like Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Diane Watson, Fitzgerald's Casino owner Don Barden and the late Johnnie Cochran with the same fortitude and finesse.
But then there's what Pat Tobin meant to me. I met her in the late 80s. I was a young radio personality seeking to move up the ranks as an actress and eventually a singer. While your talents may be many, if your name and face haven't been validated by the powers that be, then many times you're quite invisible and treated like a nobody. That was never the case with Miss Tobin. Whenever I was around Pat Tobin, I had a "name" and my name was good enough. She praised my work as a journalist and as an actress as if I had just won an Oscar and The Peabody Award. And she promoted others to get to know me because I was on the fast track to success. She did this not because I was one of her A-list clients like who paid thousands of dollars for her services, she did this because this is what Pat Tobin did. She made everyone feel important. From hosting my first book signing to introducing me to my current agent Larry Williams at The Williams Talent Agency, Pat has been a guardian angel. Others gave me references, Pat Tobin made the call. Her picture sits atop my desk, she inspires me in every way. I'm not yet fully able to refer to her in the past tense because when I think of Pat Tobin, I think of what she is and always will be. She will never be a "was" in my mind.
On the morning of June 10, 2008 the charming taskmaster Patricia L. Tobin, founder of Tobin & Associates and co-founder of the National Black Public Relations Society, lost her long battle with cancer. For 25 years, Tobin administered her unique brand of public relations that focused on building great long-lasting relationships in the community, corporate America and Hollywood. A dedicated activist for causes that impacted minorities, women and youth, Ms. Tobin created opportunities for underserved consumers and communities that resulted in corporate investment and philanthropic support for a variety of important initiatives.
In 1988, when the Toyota Corporation sought to repair its relationship with African American consumers, Tobin seized the opportunity to educate the automotive giant on the power of the "Black" dollar. Her efforts began a 20 year relationship with Toyota that resulted in countless community partnerships. Whether working with high profile clients like Johnnie Cochran and Spike Lee or supporting nonprofit organizations like the Los Angeles NAACP and Urban League, Tobin's energy and tireless work ethic contributed greatly to the projects success. Her professional success is overshadowed only by her love and commitment to her family and the encouragement and confidence she instilled in everyone she encountered. Pat was an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho and several other groups and affiliations.
Tobin & Associates is one of the most prominent, minority, female-owned public relations firms in the nation. Fortunately for us all Pat has a lovely daughter named Lauren, who not only served her mother graciously until the end, she is a living testament of her legacy.
Here are just a few words from Lauren Tobin and others who have followed Pat Tobin's lead in the field of Public Relations.
"It is with a very broken heart that I inform you of the end of my mother's valiant struggle. My mother transitioned most peacefully this morning (yesterday). For nearly two years, she battled cancer while maintaining the business and social activities that brought her so much joy. While her body weakened during this struggle, her spirit never did. If you ever met or knew of Pat Tobin, I ask that you keep her in your heart and remember her fondly by repeating her best "bad" habits. If you happen upon a stranger who begins to chat or introduce themselves, please think of her. Strangers never remained so for very long in her world. If you can walk into a room knowing no one, but leave that room knowing someone - or better yet, EVERYONE, please think of her." -- Pat's daughter Lauren Tobin, Owner of Panther P.R.
"We featured Pat Tobin in our first Anniversary Issue of Global Communicator (formerly The AAPRC Monthly). I remember how sweet and gracious Pat was when we told her that we wanted to feature her in our e-publication. However, she was absolutely thrilled when we featured her daughter Lauren several issues earlier. She called us several times and sent several emails thanking us--that gave her great joy! We will miss Pat and we send our condolences to her family and friends!" -- Gwendolyn Quinn The African-American Public Relations (The AAPRC) Global Communicator
"Pat was a true professional and a wonderful human being." -- Erma Byrd of EByrd Communications
"I have have known Pat for so long it will be hard to even think of her not being here. She was such a wonderful person and always so helpful. I can hear her saying; 'Don't worry about it baby I will handled it.'" -- Miller London- CEO & Publisher The Urban Network
"Pat Tobin was a friend, trailblazer and true pioneer an inspiration to all of us in Entertainment. Pat was a true representative from Philly who called "Cali" her second home. She made all of our lives better just by her presence. Rest in Peace Pat. We will miss you." -- Diane Blackmon Blackmon Entertainment Media & Family Films LLC/ Club Society Hills
"Pat Tobin was a great mentor and family friend. Pat has been in our lives ever since I was a little girl, during her days working at KCBS with my father (Joseph Dyer, former KCBS Community Affairs Director). She remained very close to our family even after she branched out and started her own firm. She would go out of her way to make sure we got tickets to great events and the best tables. She was a compassionate, driven, and hardworking human being. I had the opportunity to work with her when my father published his first book, and helped spearhead the book launch. There wasn't a person I would run into that did not hear of Pat Tobin. I am fortunate enough to have been able to use her name for jobs and networking. Her name is a trusted brand. She was strong, aggressive, and trained me to be fearless! I learned a lot from Pat. She had a great heart and knew how to get things done. One phone call was all that was needed. There was never a time I could not reach her or get a return phone call. I will miss her, but am blessed to have been touched by her spirit." -- Karen Y. Dyer Media & Public Relations Consultant/ Dyer Communications
"I was extremely saddened to learn that Pat Tobin has lost her fight with cancer. She was such a dynamic lady, a caring and warm personality, and a complete professional. She was always upbeat and easy to work with, and there was always a laugh in the process. Whatever project, personality, or trend she was excited about, she was able to instill that excitement in you. In particular I remember many years ago, when our L.A. music journalists group Writers Block was formed to mentor high school students, Pat facilitated our meeting with the kids by hosting us in her Hollywood office. Her legacy is how she touched all of us as a colleague, friend, and publicity professional." -- Janine Coveney, Pulse Content Radio, Syllable Media LLC, Los Angeles, CA
"Pat Tobin served as an inspiration to me when I was just a fledging publicist some 20 plus years ago. New to Hollywood at the time, Pat Tobin was the first name I heard about when it came to public relations. In addition to a role model, she was a mother figure. As she makes her transition to be with the ancestors, her legacy will live on. Blessings to her family and in particular to her daughter." -- Makeda Smith / www.jazzmynepr.com
And if I might add one final word about the great Pat Tobin, walking beside her (make that trying to keep up with her) was truly like walking beside royalty. She was always headed toward the highest ranking person in the room while regarding everyone with the same honor and respect along the way. And just to humor myself as I grapple with the fact that I'll never feel the warmth of her physical presence again, let me say that I envision Pat in Heaven right now re-arranging the seating at the head table for optimal networking, I also see her slapping high five with Johnnie Cochran, who's probably vying to get a case re-tried for a few that were sent down below. Last but not least, I envision Pat trying to get Jesus to reconsider having his face on the cover of the new King James Bible since it's been on the best seller's list for so long. Oh yeah and now that Pat Tobin is in Heaven, we're sure that ALL of our Democratic ancestors know the news about Obama, she's probably hosting a fundraiser. If Heaven were ever dull and un-informed, it certainly isn't anymore now that Pat Tobin has arrived!
A small part of us is now missing while a big part of her remains with us forever and a day.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following: Pat Tobin Scholarship Fund or Pat Tobin Memorial Fund, 4929 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 245, Los Angeles, CA 90010.
Final arrangements for Patricia L. Tobin are pending. Go to www.tobinpr.com for Tobin's bio and more about her landmark clients, legendary contributions and lifetime of awards and achievements.
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