About – Barbara Swab

Barbara A. Swab
Senior Consultant

Barbara Swab is an award-winning writer and public relations / marketing communications specialist.  She began her career in Manhattan after majoring in English at Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

Barbara learned the ropes at two major New York firms – Harshe Rotman & Druck and Bozell and Jacobs Public Relations, Inc.  She worked with these agencies for ten years – progressing to vice president, consumer accounts – prior to branching out on her own.  With other professionals she was a founding partner of two boutique agencies.

Barbara’s client roster over the years encompasses many industries and all public relations/marketing disciplines.  A partial client list includes Minolta/Konica, Citibank, North American Philips, Russell Corporation, B. Dalton Bookseller, Universal Studios, the Sea World family of theme parks, King Features, Carnival Cruises, Black and Decker and Pop Warner Football, among many others.  Many of her campaigns have been award winners. 

In addition to her public relations skills – writing, media placement, press conferences, internet liaison, social media, promotions and contests, among others – Barbara has considerable “big idea” event experience as well.  Some of her high visibility projects have included:  for Minolta Corporation, the lowering of the ball in Times Square for the first time other than New Years; for Russell Corporation, the first super bowl of youth football; killer whale births at Sea World including the first born in the care of man; Citibank Station – a New York City Christmas staple – a giant miniature train exhibit; Wrestlemania I; the comeback of Betty Boop for King Features, the launch of the largest cruise ship in the world – at the time – for Carnival, among many others. Barbara also has “traveled” many photographic and art exhibits nationally and abroad.

View Barbara Swab’s Writing Services

Another area of expertise for Barbara is book promotion.  Results have included national television placements, radio, Associated Press stories, key market coverage, national book reviews, book signings at Barnes and Noble, Borders, among others, traveling photo exhibits tied to photography anthologies, among others.  Some of these include – again a diverse group:

  • Harry Benson on Photojournalism
    Harmony Books – Time / Life photographer – television, print and radio throughout the country.  Traveling photography exhibit of this renowned photojournalist’s work.
  • Robert Farber
    Fine art photography – several books – similar to above – sponsored by Minolta Corporation.
  • Karl Bodmer
    Book of paintings of the American West – also tied to major exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Bank Langmore
    Numerous books on the American Cowboy – promoted in conjunction with Minolta Corporation.
  • David Skal
    Series of horror books including The Monster Show:  A Cultural History of Horror (Penguin Books) and Hollywood Gothic:  The angled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage and Screen (W.W. Norton & Company).  Northeast media tour tied to Halloween Horror celebrations at Universal Studios Florida.
  • Lucy Hedrick
    365 Ways to Save Money; 365 Ways to Save Time; Five Days to An Organized Life     and 365 Ways to Save Time With Kids (Hearst Books) – national media tour activities.
  • Dr. Judy Kuriansky
    World-renowned clinical psychologist, sex therapist and radio personality – promoting series of books on dating relationships, love, in conjunction with “Theme Park Therapy” media tour for Universal.
  • Simon Estes
    Simon Estes in His Own Voice –     Media tour to promote autobiography of this world renowned operatic singer.
  • Sue Porter Henderson
    Secrets of Successful Actors     – media tour to promote the book which offers valuable tips, ideas and resources for fledgling actors or for parents whose children have caught the “acting bug.”
  • Edmund Murray
    The Peregrine Spy”     (St. Martin’s Press) – publicity campaign to promote this spy thriller which takes place during the fall of the Shah of Iran.
  • Joyce & John Huber
    Best Dives –     series of how-to/best location books for snorklers and serious deep sea divers.
  • Pat Sigmon
    Six Steps to Creating a Profit –     how-to financial book for small to medium companies trying to survive today’s economy.

In addition to the larger clients she has represented, Barbara has worked with numerous start-up and smaller companies as well as non-profits, associations and charitable organizations.  Her placement activities on behalf of these groups cover the gamut of the media universe – network, local and cable television, radio, newspapers and magazines (consumer and trade), internet, as well as internal communications.  Barbara currently resides in Asheville, NC.