Two native Detroiters, Peter Van Dyke and Marilyn Horn, have partnered to create Van Dyke•Horn Public Relations, acquiring and rebranding the communications firm formerly known as Berg Muirhead and Associates. Van Dyke•Horn is carrying on the important legacy established by Bob Berg and Georgella Muirhead, who founded Berg Muirhead in 1998 as Michigan’s only integrated full services public relations agency.
“Our agency has played a critical role in the public relations field as well as the growth of our city, region and state,” said Van Dyke. “While we service clients with a global presence, the mark that has been established by our company is being at the root of effectively communicating some of Detroit’s and our region’s most significant happenings. It’s an honor for Marilyn and me to continue this legacy, while expanding our agency into new business sectors.”
Founding partners Georgella Muirhead and Bob Berg formed Berg Muirhead and Associates 18 years ago with a commitment to moving the city and region forward, and to partnering with businesses and organizations that share that goal. The two founding partners, Berg and Muirhead, unequaled in their experience in both the public and private sectors, worked as a team directing the City of Detroit’s communications efforts on a variety of extremely high-profile projects.
Through the years, the firm has managed projects for more than 150 clients in both the public and private sectors, working on a number of successful projects benefitting the city, its neighborhoods and the Southeast Michigan region. Berg and Muirhead will continue to be actively engaged in the firm in an of counsel role, and will continue to serve key clients as part of the Van Dyke•Horn team.
“We have a strong relationship with both Peter and Marilyn and are confident the firm is in good hands as it transitions to their ownership,” said Muirhead. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with them in our new roles serving as of counsel to the firm. We know they share our commitment to this city and region and to maintaining a truly diverse firm that reflects the community that we serve.”
Berg said the transition “comes at an ideal time for both Georgella and me, allowing us to stay fully involved with key clients while responsibility for day-to-day operations transitions to Peter and Marilyn. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the coming months and years.”
Van Dyke and Horn acquired the company after a combined 17 years as members of the Berg Muirhead team. Van Dyke serves as CEO, leading communications services, and Horn as president, leading operations and finance, of the 10-person Van Dyke•Horn team, which provides services to 25-plus clients that range from global corporations to local charitable organizations.
Van Dyke and Horn both started at the firm at different times, but with the same entrepreneurial spirit. Van Dyke joined Berg Muirhead in 2006 and was quickly recognized for his talent for developing new clients, refining operations and providing top-rate public relations services. He is noted for bringing in the most clients in the firm’s history, and for growing the company into industries including automotive, the arts, real estate development and retail. Additionally, he developed the firm’s first internship program as well as led several initiatives to improve its operations.
Horn became vice president of Berg Muirhead and Associates in 2013 after serving four years in the role of director of administration. She will lead all of the company’s finance and operations, which includes budgets, financial forecasting, billing, human resources records, vendor/supplier compliance and vendor/business certifications. Over the past seven years, Horn has created efficiency measurements with financial checks and balances that have helped the company to remain viable in financially difficult times.
In addition to leading the firm, Van Dyke and Horn are committed to keeping the company deeply dedicated to the communities it serves. Van Dyke is chair of the Detroit Artists Market and serves on the boards of Michigan Community Resources and the Michigan Humane Society. Horn lends her time serving on committees for the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Second Ebenezer Church and The Notary Society.
Additionally, this year Van Dyke and Horn established a scholarship at Wayne State University to honor founders Berg and Muirhead. Horn said, “We wanted to honor their legacy by recognizing what they showed us by example, which is we all have a piece in this, and just as they have mentored countless public relations practitioners, we will continue their work.”
The Berg Muirhead Scholarship for Public Relations Student Advancement is sponsored by Van Dyke•Horn Public Relations to honor the legacy of the founders, Bob Berg and Georgella Muirhead, and their contributions to the public relations industry. In their 70-plus combined years as top public relations professionals and agency founders, Bob and Georgella have been committed to diversity and inclusion in the public relations industry through mentorship and employment. It is important that all voices are heard, no matter their creed, color, race, ethnicity or gender orientation. This scholarship honors Bob and Georgella’s commitment to their industry by advancing Wayne State University students who contribute to the knowledge and promotion of social and cultural diversity to become the next generation of public relations leaders.
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