To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month we introduce Robin Beaman, president of Beaman Incorporated, IBOT’s new agency of record for the African-American market.

Robin E. Beaman, president of Beaman Inc., has 20 years of experience in entertainment and corporate public relations. Her practice focuses on corporate communications, media relations and community outreach. The firm is committed to an unmatched level of excellence, cost-effective service and the highest in ethical standards.

Beaman has designed innovative communications campaigns for major corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations including Coca-Cola, British Petroleum, Dow Chemical/Dow Corning, Sears, Wyndham International, Comcast, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the American Lung Association, ShoreBank, Money magazine and the National Association of Black Accountants, that delivered maximum national publicity, increased sales and reinforced consumer loyalty.

For example, more than 20 million viewers experienced the “Softer Side of Sears” when Beaman landed Sears on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to honor an American hero. Sears gave the hero a $60,000 shopping spree to share with needy children and a Hawaiian vacation. Sears even surprised Oprah with a $100,000 check to purchase the Oprah Angel/Habitat for Humanity House in New York City.

When Money decided to adopt the city of Elgin and raise the financial IQ of its citizens, it hired Beaman. The firm launched an aggressive publicity campaign that received national coverage on CNN and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and in USA Today, AP, UPI and the Chicago Tribune. In all, the Money campaign reached millions of Americans.

Robin Beaman began her career in 1981 as director of public relations at The Capital Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C. In 1984 she became public relations manager at Black Entertainment Television (BET) and created its first public relations division. Soon after, she advanced to director of consumer marketing and public relations.

Her consistent work and steady accomplishments led her to Harpo Productions as manager of public relations/publicist in 1992. For five seasons she developed and implemented national and international public relations strategies for “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Beaman received her B.A. from the School of Communications at Howard University and her M.S. from the Kogod School of Business at American University.

She is an avid traveler who loves experiencing and learning about new cultures, is a dedicated discount shopper (her favorite discount store is Tuesday Morning) and is a frequent patron of Chicago’s performing arts venues.