Australian comms industry mourns passing of PR great Peter Lazar AM
The saddening news of Australian PR legend Peter Lazar AM has hit the communications industry today, received with an outpouring of tributes on LinkedIn and other social platforms.
Peter Lazar AM was recognised as a fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia for his contribution to the Australian PR industry
Lazar had an illustrious life and career, escaping the Nazis in Austria to begin a new life in Australia with his family as a child. He worked across sales, marketing, advertising, PR and health education before founding Professional Public Relations in 1970, which Lazar remained the chairman of for over 52 years.
Lazar’s immense contribution to the PR industry was recognised with a lifetime fellowship with the Public Relations Institute of Australia, of which he is a past president. His work in dental health promotion was awarded with an Honorary Fellowship at the International College of Dentists. His work across the communications industry also saw him recognised as a member of the Order of Australia for service to business.
Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) president, Shane Allison told Mumbrella: “Peter was a lion of the public relations and communication industry. Today we lost a leader who actively drove our industry to be better, but our thoughts are with the Lazar family who have lost so much more.
“Throughout Australia, Members and Fellows of the PRIA will be grieving for his friendship and inspiration. Peter was a phenomenal communicator, an enormous giver of his time, and a deep thinker on the issues that challenge us all.
“He demonstrated everything that a communicator strives for, achieving positive change and driving a brighter future for us all. In this spirit, we hope that members of our community seeking to pay their respects will consider his family’s request to contribute to the Dental Health Australia Charitable Foundation that Peter founded, continuing his quest to improve the oral health of all Australians.
“The world turns that much more slowly today.”
Throughout his life Lazar was known for his contributions beyond his professional work, and will be remembered for his commitment to community and social welfare causes.
The Service for Peter will be live-streamed on Tuesday 1 February from 10:50am AEDT via https://www.FuneralVideo.com.au/PeterLazar.
Should anyone wish to pay respect by way of flowers the family asks that you consider a financial contribution to the Dental Health Australia Charitable Foundation instead. Peter founded this organisation for the purpose of improving the Oral Health of all Australians. Please email Foundation director, David Balog, David@dcb-law.com to make appropriate arrangements for your donation – your support would be very much appreciated.
Very sad news indeed. Peter was an incredibly warm, compassionate, and inspiring leader for so many PR and communications professionals across the industry. Having worked at PPR for several years, I had first-hand experience of the positive impact he had on shaping the industry here in Australia to where it is today. His work is still deeply valued and respected throughout the PPR alumni.
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