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Member Spotlight: Jonathan Ghent

In this member spotlight, we're excited to shine a light on Jonathan Ghent, founder and CEO of WritLarge PR. With more than 25 years of experience in public relations corporate communications, Jonathan reflects on some of his past experiences and details his inspiration in starting his company. Let's learn more about him in the interview below.

What led you to the field of public relations?

As a college student at Syracuse University, my dream was to be a sports anchor for a major TV network like ESPN. There was just one problem: my on-camera skills were not quite ready for “primetime.” Fortunately, I was a good enough writer and storyteller to work behind the scenes for a few years in the TV industry before finding a home in corporate communications and PR. 

My transition in 2010 from a marketing communications role to my first full-time PR job was easy because I felt like I’d been doing PR my whole career. Having a degree in broadcast journalism helped a lot too. The writing and storytelling skills that I acquired at SU and developed as a young professional in radio and TV newsrooms and corporate marketing departments prepared me well for a career in public relations. 

You launched your company WritLarge PR in July of 2022. Tell us about your inspiration in doing so and what you’ve learned as a small business owner.

I actually launched WritLarge in early 2021 while I still had a full-time job (yes, it was my “side hustle!”). After about a year, it became obvious that I had enough clients to make WritLarge my full-time job. Along the way, I was inspired by the book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, not because material wealth is so important but because the book provides readers with a blueprint for how to maximize their potential. It challenged me to think about what I want my legacy to be and how I can make a positive impact on the world. It made me believe that anything is possible. As Hill says, “The only limitation is that which one sets up in one's own mind.” 

As a small business owner, I aspire to bring this attitude and energy into my work every day. 

When and why did you become a member of PRSA Rochester?

I became a PRSA member about 15 years ago when I started my first full-time PR role. Prior to that, I spent about ten years as a marketing communications and employee communications manager. At the time, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about PR. I was wrong! I had the raw skills and a lot of great experience but I did not have a deep understanding of the tools of the trade, nor was I fluent in the language of our industry. PRSA helped me close these gaps. 

What benefits have you received as a member of PRSA Rochester?

Over the years, I have benefitted greatly from the training modules and networking events that PRSA offers. Today, when I speak to young professionals and college students who are considering a career in PR, the first thing I advise them to do is join PRSA.

Tell us about some of the positions you’ve held and companies you’ve worked for. Which experience was the most impactful?

About a year after graduating from SU, I landed a job with the National Basketball Association’s television production unit, NBA Entertainment, where I worked as an editor and producer. It was an incredible experience! I worked on shows like NBA Inside Stuff with Ahmad Rashad and Willow Bay (NBC), NBA Jam – The Music Videos (MTV), and documentaries including Below the Rim – Little Big Men of the NBA. 

After three years in that role, I spent the next 20 years in corporate communications roles for Xerox, Eastman Kodak, and Kodak Alaris. In 2021, I entered the nonprofit sector as Director of Communications for Common Ground Health. 

I learned so much from every one of these organizations—it’s tough to pick one as being the most impactful. But if we’re talking about which one shaped me as a PR leader and challenged me to imagine what my career could be, I’d have to say Eastman Kodak and Kodak Alaris. That’s where I sharpened my skills as a PR pro. It’s where I was responsible for PR on a global scale, across ten countries on six different continents. And it’s where I had probably my greatest work day ever, interviewing celebrities on the red carpet about their favorite Kodak Moments at the 2010 People’s Choice Awards. Not a bad day at the office! 

What do you love most about working in PR?

I love getting media coverage for my clients. There are few things more gratifying than seeing a story that I wrote and pitched on the evening news or published in an important media outlet. I celebrate these moments—it’s truly an awesome feeling.

What’s your favorite song or soundtrack for doing focused work?

My favorite music for work is either instrumental hip hop or classical, depending on what type of work I’m doing. It has to be instrumental because I get too distracted by lyrics. 

What else is bringing you joy right now?

Developing a deeper connection to the Greater Rochester community brings me great joy. I was born and raised here but for much of my career, I worked for global technology companies, so local storytelling was not always a top priority. Today, most of my work is with local businesses and nonprofits so I feel closer to Rochester and the people of our region than ever before. To be in a position to impact people’s lives and transform communities through the work I’m doing alongside local organizations is an honor and a privilege. I’m profoundly grateful to be entrusted with this important work.