SAN FRANCISCO—July 29, 2021—Bospar, the boutique PR firm that puts tech companies on the map, is pleased to announce it is a sponsor of PRWeek’s eBook showcasing its inaugural Pride in PR program, which celebrated the ongoing impact LGBTQ individuals have on the PR industry in the U.S. and around the world.
The free eBook is available for download today.
PRWeek’s Pride program – sparked by an idea pitched by Bospar principal Curtis Sparrer – profiled 30 inspirational LGBTQ leaders throughout the month of June. Sparrer was one of those highlighted. The illustrious group also included Joe Evangelisti, managing director, communications, JPMorgan Chase & Co; Karine Jean-Pierre, principal deputy press secretary, The White House; Brent Miller, senior director, global LGBTQ equality lead, Procter & Gamble; Lauren Verrusio, head of creator & consumer communications, YouTube; Sally Susman, EVP and chief corporate affairs officer, Pfizer; and Kevin Wong, VP of communications, The Trevor Project.
PRWeek – with Sparrer’s help – actually began gearing up for Pride 2021 in May. Sparrer appeared on Coffee Break with PRWeek editorial director Steve Barret, where they discussed being LGBTQ+ in the PR industry.
GLAAD tweeted about PRWeek’s month-long program and about Sparrer, noting his membership in the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association and StartOut and his push to galvanize LGBTQ visibility in PR and tech. San Francisco Business Times named Bospar the 7th largest LGBTQ business in San Francisco – up from 8th last year.
“We celebrate Pride because it’s so important for everyone to feel they can be their best, authentic selves,” said Sparrer. ”For people living in San Francisco or New York City, it may be hard to imagine what it means to a young gay person living in a small town in Texas to see the opportunities that exist, without having to deny who you are. But I haven’t forgotten, and that’s why I pitched Steve Barrett the idea in the first place and why I am so proud to be a part of the PRWeek list and to participate in all the activities that celebrate Pride.”
Bospar celebrated Pride month with a range of events to inspire, educate and entertain, including:
- On June 16, Sparrer and Racquel Yerbury, content and research director at Bospar PR, were featured guests at JumpCloud’s celebration of LGBTQIA Pride 2021. The company-wide virtual discussion explored career journeys and advice, interspersed with real-life stories shared by Sparrer and Yerbury.
- On June 25, Sparrer participated on a panel for PRSA-SF’s #Friday Forum with Cathy Renna, national LGBTQ task force communications director and principal/owner of Target Cue, and Shaun Saunders, board member and founder of Graffiti Creative Group. The panel discussed what Pride in PR looks like today and how it has changed over time and interacted with the Clubhouse audience.
- On June 30, Sparrer participated in a PRWeek Pride in PR webcast, highlighting the contributions LGBTQ professionals are making to the comms profession and the broader business world, as well as the challenges they face. Along with Sparrer, participants included the White House’s Karine Jean-Pierre; Lisa Manley, VP of sustainability, Mars; Ben Boyd, VP of communications and community relations, Lowe’s Companies; and Precious Brady-Davis, associate regional communications director, Sierra Club.
- To end the month on a high note, later that same day Bospar sponsored a virtual company-wide Drag Queen Bingo event hosted by performer Jacklynn Hyde. Winners were awarded Amazon gift cards.
Throughout June, Bospar employees showed solidarity with LGBTQ+ colleagues and the community by joining virtual events, downloading rainbow logos to accompany their email signatures, and sharing stories on the company’s Slack and corporate social media channels.
“Everyone – gay and straight – needs to see LGBTQ+ people as leaders and professionals in a variety of industries, including public relations,” said Sparrer. “While it’s especially important for gay youth to have these leaders as role models, it’s also important that straight people see real- life examples of LGBTQ leaders – not just scripted characters on a television show. We all need to help shape the vision of what is possible.”
Download the eBook here!
About Bospar
Bospar is a boutique tech PR firm featuring a team of highly seasoned professionals who exist to put tech companies on the map. Bospar’s principals include a long-time PR and tech industry guru, a former broadcast TV producer and award-winning media maven, a standout PR agency manager from the corporate side of a leading global law firm, and an experienced executive with both agency and public company credentials. Bospar’s larger team includes experts in both social and traditional media, as well as financial and analyst relations and public affairs.
